10 Things I Learned about Canada watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Here are 10 Things I Learned about Canada watching the Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremonies:

1. Buying mechanical items made in Canada is probably not a good idea.

While most of the show went off without a hitch, in the final, pivotal moments, an equipment malfunction left one of the final four torchbearers, Catriona LeMay Doan, standing in front of an empty hole with nothing to light.

2. Canadians have a good sense of humor

Even as the mechanical malfunction unfolded, the four torchbearers seemed more giggly than irritated. Gretzky looked amused, and Steve Nash’s smirk gradually turned into a wide smile.

3. Canadians are a diverse people, who respect each other.

Our governor general is not only African American, she’s a woman. Her name is Michaëlle Jean. It’s like we nominated Barak AND Hillary.

4. You likely do not want to visit the Prairies.

With all due respect to the music (Canadian Veteran Joni Mitchell) and the young acrobat, the segment with the boy floating over the wheat fields was entirely too long, and was by the end, a bit boring. But hey, Canadians like to be respectful, and the prairies were given their due.

5. Canadians respect their history

You heard it right, the ceremony kicked off with God Save the Queen, a salute to Canada’s history as a British colony.

6. Canada has some amazing athletes

The opening ceremonies included Basketball star Steve Nash, hockey legend WayneGretzky, Paralympic athlete Rick Hansen and even Betty Fox, Terry Fox’s mom. These athletes not only represent excellence in their fields, but are good people with civic causes and foundations.

7. Canada has some remarkable talent

Singer KD Lang performed Halleluiah, written by current poet laureate Leonard Cohen. She was amazing, although she really could have used a better tailor. Actor Donald Sutherland voiced some of the recorded parts of the ceremony, and helped bring in the Olympic flag. Sarah McLachlan performed. Joni Mitchell recorded clouds (although it would have been nice to see her perform live.) Although I must admit, I was a bit shocked not to see Canada’s #1 national export, Celine Dion.

8. Canadians encourage their youth

She’s gotten some flack in the media for doing her own spin on O Canada, but I absolutely loved how Nikki Yanofsky sang at the opening ceremonies. It’s hard to believe someone with that much poise is only 16. And hey, she’s a Montrealer (woot woot!).

9. Canadians are real

Canadians are not fake, and they are empathetic, good people. Canadian officials were visibly sad when expressing regret over Georgia’s Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died after flying off the Olympic luge track.

With all the accolades given to Beijing’s opening ceremonies, we sometimes forget that they were so hell bent on being perfect they shunned a child, having a “cuter” one lip synch her song. The Canadian Opening ceremonies weren’t perfect, but they were real, and make me proud to be Canadian.

10. There’s a reason people think we live in igloos

Okay, I get it; they wanted to pay respect to our heritage. But really, that was a bit ridiculous. A performer representing Canada’s history entered the stadium. A native Canadian danced during the Opening Ceremony. There were totem poles. There was a canoe… with a horned fiddler in it. And it just kept going and going. Next time I’m travelling abroad and someone asks me what it’s like down there in those Igloos, I’ll be far more empathetic.

You can check out a lovely pictorial of the entire Opening Ceremonies event here.