London 2012

Something about shopping with the girls is universal.  Yesterday I met up with a couple of girls from work for a bit of shopping at a mall.  A mall the size of West Edmonton Mall but no repeat stores (http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/).  They do have them here (malls) but they tend to be way out in the suburbs.  With the exception of the absolutely cool new red Chuck Taylor's that I bought (aka Converse Runners), I would say that I actually prefer shopping on the high street.  I guess because it is different than at home.  Also because I am starting to realize that I really dislike giant crowds of people!

The best part of the trip was that the mall is next to Olympic Park!  There are a couple of viewing platforms in the mall and you can actually get a good view from the train coming into the station too.  I'm going to have to learn a few synonyms for big.  Everything here is big if you grew up in Saskatchewan but the Olympic Park sets a new standard for big. 

Most of London, myself included, are struggling to come to terms with just how we will deal with an extra million people a day trying to get around.  The transportation system here already operates at maximum capacity most of the time.  Any little hiccup causes widespread chaos in the system and once things begin to break down it doesn't matter if you are in a car or on a train.  Our Company actually has a separate committee that is charged with making sure we can still keep operating during the games.  It is a real concern that people won't be able to get to the office.  Our main office is well away from central London but the area it is in will be hosting the Canoeing events and many of the practice locations for various teams.  We do have an investment office in the City and that might be quite a challenge.  Generally, every Olympic visitor is likely going to pass through the financial district on their way to the Olympic Park.  Yikes.  My own tube station, Angel, is likely going to be impassable at certain points in the day.

Right now, I'm thinking that I should be able to get up to the office at Potters Bar in the morning (provided I leave early enough) but getting back home might be impossible later in the day.  So, I'll probably try to get down to our office in the City mid-day.  I'll finish up my day there and then probably just walk back to my flat...about 2 miles.  This will all be happening while we are trying to finalize 2nd Quarter earnings so there will be no option to just book holidays.  But I understand why people want to leave!

It will be interesting to see what happens!  Regardless, I've got all my Canadian gear ready to go and I am preparing to cheer as loud as possible.  I might even have to get a Canadian flag for my balcony. And, if any of you can get tickets you are welcome to come and sleep on my floor!