Highlights, from the city filled "With Glowing Hearts"

I have been in Vancouver for just over three weeks but it did not take me more than a few days to understand why the Vancouver Organizing Committee selected “With Glowing Hearts” as the motto for the 21^st Winter Olympic Games. 

Looking out over Vancouver from Grouse Mountain. 

Canadians, and specifically Vancouverites, have proven to be a welcoming bunch.  Every day when I ride the bus to and from work I never cease to be amazed by how nicely everyone treats one another—it almost seems like people want to give up their seats, and not just for the elderly.  The interaction between the bus driver and the passengers is also noted—those exiting in the back always yell, “thank you” up to the driver in the front, and he or she almost always replies, “you’re welcome.”

I feel spoiled with the views I have at home in San Francisco, but crossing Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge is a whole other experience.  Not even a gloomy sky could possibly detract from the utter beauty that enlivens this gorgeous city.

 A view from the Lions Gate Bridge. 

The drive to Whistler is phenomenal.  The highway to get there is called the Sea to Sky highway, for good reason.  Even though we were driving I was nearly out of breath when I reached the top of the climb the first time; I kept gasping because of sheer shock by the sheer beauty of my surroundings.  

The road up to Whistler Mountain. 

The air is different, and there are signs of environmental efficiency everywhere I turn.  Take these pasta straws at a little café in Whistler Village, for example:

A trend I hope to spread. 

I left mine in my soy latte a little too long and had a strand of partially cooked noodle at the end. 

Local restaurant, Finche's served up the tastiest salad I've ever had.

Other than the gorgeous views, Vancouver boasts some of the best cuisine I have tasted.  Scents of hot dogs (and veggie hot dogs, wow!) loft through downtown streets and down by the water, a shack that serves up fish ‘n chips draws crowds from all over the city, even though there are just a few seats outside.  The view from the restaurant is like the food served: beautiful, crisp and fresh.

Diners bear the cool weather to enjoy "Go Fish's" famous fish 'n chips. 

Whether chowing down on a $6 bowl of noodles from a trendy noodle house on Robson Street, 

My friend Travis, eagerly eating his noodles. 

or using fancy chopsticks to politely grasp the $25 mango-lobster sushi wrapped in an omelet crepe my parents treated me to when they came to visit, Vancouver has everything a pescetarian foodie, like me, could want.

Sushi at Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown.

Check out this dessert from my favorite restaurant in Vancouver: the Blue Water Café in the über hip Yaletown.  It’s a carrot cake with cinnamon nutmeg ice cream.

Dessert at Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown. 

With the Olympic Games just a few days away, excitement is definitely building in the city.  Media from around the world have arrived, and I love hearing all the different languages when I walk through the International Broadcast Center.

If you have not seen these advertisements for the Vancouver Olympics on The TODAY Show, you have to watch: 

    Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A view of the Burrard Bridge and Granville Island at night. 

Vancouver

The excitement surrounding the Olympics here in Vancouver was apparent from the moment I stepped off the plane yesterday. Volunteer security guards wearing bright green vests smiled from ear-to-ear as passengers on my flight from San Francisco gathered luggage from the carousel.  Security was a breeze and the family I am staying with here picked me up from the airport, so I instantly felt like a local.  

Me on Granville Island. 

Yesterday was the first sunny day Vancouverites have seen in about a week, and I decided to take advantage of the rare weather.  I went for a long run and got my bearings.  The neighborhood I am staying in is just one block from the bus that takes me directly to the Olympic Village, five blocks from an organic grocery store, and a ten minute walk from bakeries, restaurants and coffee shops.  

Since I did not change time zones coming here, I have not had to deal with jetlag.  Today I had a full day.  I went straight downtown this morning to activate my Today Show accreditation and get city maps from the Visitor Information center.  

Canada Place Street, where I will be working the next six weeks.

On the way, I met the most adorable Greek man named George on the street.  He talked my ear off about his excitement for the games to be held in his city, but also his concern about parking during the events.  He must have welcomed me at least five times and when he shook my hand as we said 'goodbye' I felt I was leaving a friend I'd known for years.  I had a similar experience on the bus back to the house where I am staying.  I met a guy, around my age, named Paul who just got back from living in Japan for seven years.  He told me about the Botanical Gardens at the University of British Columbia, which is located in Vancouver.  We talked all about the city's transition to making Vancouver "Olympic-ready." 

View from Downtown Vancouver. 

The city itself is absolutely stunning.  The views of the water and mountains are unbelievable.  Today we walked around Granville Island. 

Granville Island.

 It felt like a small fishing village, but right across the water you see city skyscrapers.  There is a public market that carries everything from fresh bread and pasta, caramel apples and whole salmon. 

Despite how crowded the market was, everyone was very orderly and extremely friendly.  No one seemed rushed or annoyed to wait in line, the chocolate vendor did not mind people staring at the delectable truffles and then walking away without buying one.  

The first two days in Vancouver have been a success so far, but I am so excited to start working for the Today Show on Monday!  

No time but the present

Lately I have been working nonstop. When I say nonstop, I mean that very literally. For example, yesterday I woke up at 2AM to anchor KOMU 8 News Today, the morning show that runs from 4:30AM until 7AM, when the TODAY Show begins. Two and a half hours gave me a lot of time to mess up, and to improve. I will post clips from the show this weekend.

Last week I anchored two 10 o'clock shows for KOMU. Check them out and let me know what you think!

Anchor, KOMU 8 News @ 10, 12/18/09 from Paige Hansen on Vimeo.
Clips from Co-Anchoring the 10 o'clock newscast with Angie Bailey.

10PM Anchor 12/23/09 from Paige Hansen on Vimeo.

Last week I worked on a story about the health care reform bill. This story aired before it officially passed. I wanted to get a sense of what Missourians thought about the reform bill. Their views were pretty divided: 

On Set: Health Care Reform Bill in Mid-Missouri 12/21/09 from Paige Hansen on Vimeo.

I have been reporting every day for the last week. My first day off will be this Sunday and I have never been more excited to sleep in, work out and stay inside where it's warm! It's been really cold in Missouri. Tomorrow the "high" is 18 degrees!!! 

World View Report

Here is my World View report from December 2, 2009:

Anchor, World View Report 12/2/09 from Paige Hansen on Vimeo.