“Aside from my position at Moda Hotel, I have been at Paddle Wheeler Riverboat Adventures for the past 22 years, where the M.V Native ship was chosen to have a torch bearer carry the Olympic Torch from New Westminster to Port Royal on a short 15 minute trip.  On this voyage, I was able to witness first-hand the excitement of the torch relay and hold the torch afterwards.   This event paired with the enthusiasm of the crowds was the beginning of my personal Olympics experience.  It went from ‘OK the Olympics are here’ to ‘WOW the Olympics are here!'

Once the Olympics officially began, guests at the Moda Hotel, including sponsors and media of the Italian Team started to arrive and the excitement grew from here on in. I even purchased one of their team jackets to show my support and new friendship with their team! Soon after, we welcomed Russian team associates and sponsors at the Moda Hotel, and I now have a great Sochi scarf given as a gift and have acquired a few more words in Russian. I’m ready for Sochi 2014!

Representatives and political members from the Yukon, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories in northern Canada then started arriving for their stay in the new Moda Suites.  This is a part of Canada that I have always wanted to visit and it was nice to receive invitations to come up and visit! I have a lovely dog sled pin that was given to me as a goodbye gift from our respectable guests.

Also on a personal note, when I was away from Moda Hotel, I attended the opening at the Molson Canadian House which was a blast. I also spent some of my days wandering down the Sea Wall and through downtown to visit the other houses and witness the Canadian spirit in full force. On the closing day after the hockey game, the entire city was so happy and people were everywhere!

Now that our Olympic guests have left,  the city seems more quiet but us Vancouverites are still here and are ready to welcome anybody who would like to visit this wonderful part of the world!”  

A big thank you to Chris for sharing his memories with us. Chris began is career at the Moda Hotel when it was the Dufferin Hotel in August 1986 during Expo '86. It is an honour to have Chris part of the Moda Hotel team.