Yet Another Transformation

The closing ceremony was just Wednesday night, but Thursday morning as I headed to work I saw it had already begun...the next transformation. The first transformation spanned over the last number of years as this city got ready for the Games. Over the last 6 months it sped up and moved like wildfire through the city.

The next transformation was after the main Games ended and before the ParaGames started. Some of the banners and decorations were changed to reflect the logo of the ParaGames. Even some of the huge banners that cover entire buildings were changed to show ParaGame athletes.

Yesterday morning as I rode the bus, I looked around the city. For so long, this city has lived for this moment. It's been the answer to so many questions: why did the price go up, why are schools finishing early, why have the rules changed, why are people having this problem, why are taxi drivers all wearing a shirt and tie now, why is the sky blue? "because of the Games." Now, the billboards are changing back to advertisements, the flags and banners are leaving, we can again see the skeleton of unfinished buildings, the buses are playing advertisements on their tvs instead of happy memories of the Games. It's almost like a funeral...and in some ways, it is...I think.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The fall weather is moving in- cooler, dryer temps (dryer partly because they don't have a reason to make it rain anymore). There are still some volunteer booths up, but I suspect they'll be gone in a matter of days. Saturday the road rules stop, meaning everyone can drive everyday instead of every other day.

As this city transforms back to "normal," I wonder what will these people live for next?

More Pictures!

As promised, here are more pictures...
Volleyball and closing ceremonies!

Where's the beach?!? These are at the venues...
A volunteer sits there and yells in a mega phone.
This is the entrance to the volleyball venue.


The mascots outside greeting the spectators.
The one on the right was a little top heavy. :)


Bronze medal game... Cuba's in blue.


And the winner is....


Cheer for the home team!!! The sound was deafening...
I took video, but it just doesn't capture the true feeling there.


This is a bus stop.
I can't even tell you how many bus stops have ads like this.


See the red hats? This is security...we suspect they were asked to tone it down after they came on so strongly around the beginning...because uniforms and personnel became more "undercover"...like they were trying to blend...or...not.


The evening of Closing Ceremonies.
We went to this park to watch on a big screen.
Notice the empty souvenir stalls.
They were never opened. Too many security issues.



But look at the park just a few hours later...it was PACKED!!!


Fireworks went off all over the city. It was amazing, as usual.
Never underestimate fireworks shows here.
Yes, those are fireworks hearts.


The end of the Games... oh wait...
Round 2 just started with the ParaGames. Want to see more?