02.11.2010 - Day 1 - Travel

Cory brought me to the airport the flight was at 9am so we had to leave the house around 6am and we are not morning people.

I checked in and the woman behind the counter, I don't think she was happy to be there, promptly charged me $90.00 for an overweight baggage fee. There was no negotiating.

The flight was non-stop from MSP to Vancouver and uneventful; I even moved back to a double seat alone so I could take a much needed nap. A bunch of people on the plane saw that I was reading the rule book and started asking me questions; they were super nice and wished me luck. One woman said she saw me on channel 11 last night; if anyone taped that I'd like to see it? Thanks Margaret for calling channel 11.

I got to the customs area and there was a special line for those with Olympic credentials so I flew through. Then I stopped at the set-up where you get you credentials laminated with the special plastic; holograms, perforation and lanyard. I was waiting for my hockey bag, that I thought for sure would be lost; after about 45 mins Leah and Meghan showed up and my bag... Then we went through a special exit area to the official cars, buses and SUVs waiting with to take us to our hotel. We got to the hotel and were greeted by the IIHF officials, the ones from the head office in Switzerland.

After unloading our bags in the room we went down to a meeting room where we were given a new helmet, shield, warm-up pants and jacket, polo, sweater for on the ice, pants for on the ice and an IIHF goodie bag.

As the 15 women's game officials trickeled in we walked about 8-10 blocks to Milestones for dinner (chain in CA) it was very good. A few of us walked to the grocery store in the drizzling rain and hit the local 7-11 for a calling card, then back to the hotel. Mary Ann and I ventured out with some of the other officials that came later and sat and talked while they had dinner. We are staying at a hotel and the location is great we are within walking distance of everything and right in the middle of all that is going on. Not many photos yet...

Called home; Dad said Ava is excited because she is coming to see me in Canada, she pulled out her Dora suitcase and packed all her toys in it and she says she is ready!

Note: I left my cell phone at home I will check emails... $.48 min plus crazy fees for data and texting!