Editor’s note: Christina MacLean is going to have the experience and opportunity of a lifetime, volunteering at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler.

Born and raised in Shelburne, she still has family and friends in the community. A resident of Brampton for the last 22 years, she and husband Ian will be married 25 years this year and have two children, Ben 16 and Molly 9. She has worked with the Region of Peel for almost 22 years in waste management. She plans to send us weekly reports on her adventures on Canada’s ‘Wet Coast.’

By Christina MacLean

The alarm clock came far too early for me on Tuesday; 4 a.m. was even too early for the roosters.

My luggage was neatly stacked in the front hall ready to go. Even at this early time of day I was energized ready to go. As I made my way through the boarding process at Pearson International Airport, I could hear bits and pieces of conversations of other volunteers that were making their way to either Vancouver or Whistler. They too were energized at this early time and where excited with anticipation.

The view as we approached Vancouver was fabulous as I watched the sun peak over the mountains breaking through the early morning fog. As the plane touched down it was hard to believe that after months of anticipation that I had almost arrived at my venue. After disembarking made my way to the baggage claim. Upon entering the baggage claim area there were all kinds of volunteers assisting. Some assisted with luggage; some had signs identifying themselves to the public for providing such services as buses and of course, the bright blue VANOC volunteers.

All had bright smiles on their faces and offered you a cheery hello or good morning. Kristen, a volunteer from Toronto who will be working at the Sliding Centre, and I were both headed to Whistler but had a small detour to head to downtown Vancouver to pick up tickets before boarding the bus to head north to Whistler.

Kristen and I looked like pack horses as we pulled and heaved our bags to board the Skytrain that would take us to downtown Vancouver. In order to get from the Skytrain platform to street level we had to take an elevator. This packhorse (me) landed flat on my butt as I tried to exit the elevator at street level, I think I tripped myself. I was completely embarrassed as a volunteer came running as did a police officer to make sure I was okay.

This was the first opportunity I had to trade pins. Yes, the police officer felt so sorry for me, he gave me a flashing police car pin telling me it would make me feel better.

After picking up the tickets and making our way to the Hyatt Regency where we would make our bus connection to Whistler, we still had approximately one hour to wait. The sun was out and compared to our temperatures last week, it was really warm out. I decided I would walk up the street to the Vancouver Art Gallery where the Olympic Countdown Clock is located and of course, it’s a photo opportunity.

I asked another tourist to take my picture. On the street lights hang flags with 2010 Olympics on them in the blues, greens and whites and they were moving gently in the light breeze. I looked up and down the streets and could see mountains all around and some of the volunteers dressed in blue going to or coming home from their shifts.

The drive up to Whistler was gorgeous. It was a clear and sunny day. The mountains are majestic and topped with snow. There were approximately 30 volunteers on the bus heading to Whistler.

As we made our way north, the bus driver indicated points of interest from informing us when we were travelling over the Lion’s Gate Bridge, the direction of Cypress Mountain, where to look for bald eagles’ nests, or when we were approaching Whistler Creekside.

We left several volunteers in Squamish, some are residing on the Mona Lisa cruise ship that is docked in the harbour while others where meeting up with friends. The rest of us unloaded at the Whistlers Visitor Centre to head for our accreditation and uniforms.

The energy and excitement could be felt on the bus as we approached the various stops. The volunteers already onsite working were glad to see us, wanted to know where we came, where we were working and if we needed assistance.

It was almost surreal in that the day had finally come for us to volunteer at the Olympics and we were getting our uniforms and our credentials to begin our volunteer journey like the others dressed in blue.