Caroline Brisson, Montreal, Canada
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: I’m working here, for the French media, RDS.
Q: Attending any events?
A: I get to go to two hockey games and to some figure skating. I’m the most excited to go see Russia against the Czechs.
Q: Other plans?
A: Mostly I’m here for work!
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: I just arrived, but it seems like it’s getting busy.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: I’m on a work budget – none!
Severine Bachmann, Peter Klauser and Susanne Kaderli, Switzerland
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: Because we got tickets!
Q: Attending any events?
A: We have tickets to hockey and to ski events. We’re going to the Suisse vs. USA game.
Q: Other plans?
A: Go to the free events, especially the ones downtown.
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: In Gastown, you don’t see the Olympics. Only downtown is it built up. Every day it’ll be more exciting.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: We booked one year in advance, so it’s not as expensive. Good thing we did.
Warren Gibson and family, New Brunswick, Canada
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: The chance to see the Olympics in Canada was one we had to take.
Q: Attending any events?
A: Oh, tons. The opening ceremony, short track speed skating, figure skating, women’s hockey, curling, moguls.
Q: Other plans?
A: We’re doing a lot of sightseeing downtown.
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: It’s a beautiful place. The people here are incredibly friendly.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: Well, the hotel is $300 per night, for five nights: probably about $3,000 or $4,000 for all of us.
William & Tracy Fong, Toronto, Canada
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: To visit family and to go to the Games.
Q: Attending any events?
A: We’re trying to get tickets – to anything.
Q: Other plans?
A: We’ll go see all the free events we can. We’ll probably watch the opening ceremonies from Robson Square.
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: It’s positive. It’s patriotic.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: It depends if we can catch an event. We’ll spend about $500 if not, but probably at least $1,000 if we do.
Melanie Ford and Barbara Foster, Anchorage, Alaska and Rainier, Oregon
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: It’s a once in a lifetime thing, being that we live so close. Well, relatively speaking we live close.
Q: Attending any events?
A: The luge, the freestyle skiing, long track ladies speed skating. As many as we can afford to go to! Our events were selected by a lottery.
Q: Other plans?
A: We just went around on the SkyTrain, now we’re checking out downtown.
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: There are really nice people here! They all want to tell us about what to do here. I have so much information; I think I’ll forget it all.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: I really don’t know how much I plan to spend, but I have a very good credit card!
Chris Knight, Montreal, Canada
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: I’m here to work for the RCMP at the main media centre.
Q: Attending any events?
A: I get one and a half days off after four days of work. Hopefully I’ll get some tickets to something.
Q: Other plans?
A: Hit the downtown bars and restaurants. Maybe do a little sightseeing.
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: I’m staying on one of the boats, a cruise ship. It’s cramped.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: Probably $500.
Camilo Ramiraz, Columbia
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: I wanted to check them out. I’ve never been before. Also, I have some friends here that are getting married.
Q: Attending any events?
A: The opening ceremonies!
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: People here are super friendly. I’m stoked about how friendly they are. Even though it’s rainy, people still seem to be happy. They love the outdoors. I see people running in the morning, in the afternoon!
Q: How much are you spending?
A: In two weeks? About $6,000 or $7,000.
Boldtumar Lagnaidorj, Mongolia
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: To watch the Mongolian skater.
Q: Attending any events?
A: Only speed skating.
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: I like Vancouver!
Paola Motta & Michela Cesana, Italy
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: We’re working at Casa Italia for an Italian sports newspaper. We’re not journalists, though! We’re doing PR.
Q: Attending any events?
A: I want to see hockey on ice, hopefully team Canada!
Q: Other plans?
A: So far, we have been around downtown. We want to go to Stanley Park, but we just don’t have the time.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: Won’t spend very much money. I don’t need anything, really. Well, just a few sweaters…
Patty Vitale, Florida, USA
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: It was a great opportunity. We’ve never been to the Olympics before. Now we can check it off the bucket list.
Q: Attending any events?
A: The opening ceremony, the luge, some curling.
Q: Other plans?
A: We want to check out Granville Island. What else is good?
Q: How is the atmosphere in Vancouver?
A: Well, we just got here, but the downtown is great. We’re just getting our bearings. Where can we get official Olympic merchandise?
Q: How much are you spending?
A: Oh, dear. A couple thousand, probably.
Jose Gutierrez, Calgary, Canada
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: It’s my first time to the Games and to Vancouver.
Q: Attending any events?
A: I don’t have any tickets… yet.
Q: Other plans?
A: We’re going to Canada Place. There are lots of places for visiting, for free.
Q: How much are you spending?
A: For the three of us who work together, for five days, we’ll spend almost $10,000.
Penny Wise, London, Ontario, Canada
Q: Why did you come to the Olympics?
A: I’m with 3M; we’re here with customers to take them to events and to show them around.
Q: Attending any events?
A: We’re going to the opening ceremonies, the short track speed skating, and the men’s moguls.
Q: Other plans?
A: I’d like to sample some local food in all the markets. We’ll also visit the Four First Nations Pavilion.
Q: How is the atmosphere?
A: It’s very exciting here, very electric.
Q: How much will you spend?
A: Personally? I’ll spend a couple thousand over four days.
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