I don’t really expect that Vancouver would top what Beijing gave us two years back. Canadians are known to be simple, never extravagant but very polite people so I looked forward to an Olympics with a mellow and dramatic side on it.

And I wasn’t wrong. Canadians showed the world that they aren’t just about “please” and “thank you”.

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games opened today in British Columbia’s largest city. Just like what I said earlier, Canadians are simple and aren’t really that showy. I know this because half of my family is in Canada, most of them in Vancouver and I must say that they’re really warm and nice people.

This year, I noticed a few differences in this edition of the games than in the previous editions.

Vancouver’s Opening ceremonies were held in BC Place, a stadium with a pressurized roof which means that it is going to be held indoors, a first in the history of the Olympics.

The Parade of Athletes were held before the show with Greece leading the lot and Canada, the host, taking the rear. The United States sent the most number of athletes, even beating Canada.

Unlike most editions, especially in the Summer Games, the athletes this time was given a special place for themselves inside the stadium. They did not stay standing in the middle of the stadium just like what happened in the past editions which means that they could actually watch the whole show.

There were two cauldrons lit during the opening. One was lit inside the stadium and the other outside which will burn throughout the duration of the games.

It wasn’t flawless, though. In 2008, it was revealed that Beijing had a girl do lipsync and faked the footprint explosions. This time, Vancouver had a problem right in the middle. I almost thought it was only me who noticed it but I believe I wasn’t the only one.

On the last part, where the giant cauldron was to be lit, four spiers were supposed to rise in the middle of the stadium. Four athletes were standing below, ready to light the spiers when everything is in place. However, the fourth spier failed to rise up because the hydraulic doors malfunctioned. So the fourth athlete didn’t know what to do. In the end, the three other spiers continued and were lit with the fourth athlete standing and just holding the torch.

Well, you really can’t have everything, can you? All the best for Vancouver and the athletes of the world!

To non-fans, don’t comment about the Philippines winning a gold here because we didn’t join. Go figure! :))