Go BottomI was at the Torino Olympics
 | ksmmoto
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 41 Central Lower Michigan 
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2006-03-09 125850
My wife won a trip for two from 2/19-24/06 for the Olympics. Luckily, she picked me to go with her!
I am a motorsports type of person, but have always liked the winter Olympics as some of the sports do have a speed factor. We got to see the USA vs Russia Hockey (Russia won), Men's Snowboard Slalom (Swiss Brothers 1st & 2nd), Ladies Freestyle Ski Ariels and the Ladies Long Program Figure Skating.
Italy was great, I really loved the Alps as it is flat here in Central Michigan. The weather was like a Michigan spring also, about 30 low to 50 degrees.
As far as all the Bode Miller and other controversies, we didn't hear a thing about it until we got back to the USA. EuroSport and other channels covered the Olympics, but didn't have any of the comments and inside stories from US announcers like we have. TV really is the best way to watch, but nothing beats the experience of being there.
Several things that happened, when we got to the hockey game there was about a dozen Russians setting from seats 1 -12 on our row. We was in 21 & 22. I tried to excuse myself past them, but the second Russian stands up and says quite loud "This Is Russsaa!
My wife probably would have wanted to rumble, but I noticed that the two rows behind them were empty, so we went down them and climbed over the seats to ours. No use starting WW III when we can do a end run around!
The other thing that stands out was at the Ladies Aerials the Italian announcer was really getting wound up. He talked in Italian and then in English. When a skier was ready, he would pause and say "And now, backa to the topa!!".
Two Americans were setting in the row ahead of me and when he would say that one of the guys kept getting bent out of shape. He started yelling that it was making him sick or that it was ruining his life. Also that he wouldn't be able to forget it when he got home.
Talk about an ugly American! He was rather ugly and had a scruffy looking hat with a American flag on the top. An Italian was setting in front of me and kept telling his wife that guy should go home. If they had started a fight I was going to beat on the stupid American for being such a dumb ass.
Anyway, it was a great experience and I want to go back to Europe again. I am glad that I DID NOT get Curling tickets even though it is much harder than it looks.
ksmmoto
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 | WillieH
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 543 New England 
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2006-03-09 125857
ksmmoto -
That was quite a trip, and certainly a very pleasant read. Despite the unpleasantries that you witnessed, it sounds like they were few and far between. Good for you for recognizing how some people act - even in someone else's homeland.
My family originated in the lower Austrian area (Alpenland), and in Germany. Once, along time ago, I can remember having some friends over and we took in some sight seeing - I think at some cathedrals or the like. As the setting was sunny and about 21c, with a certain calm to it, all of a sudden is an outburst, "Where is the restaurant...we need something to eat. Where is it..." and so forth it went on in a VERY loud tone.
Virtually everyone, whether native or not, recognized what an obnoxious group this was, and kind of wanted to stand clear. (Not that it matters much, but the outspoken individual was female, and most definitely from USA - as THEY boasted)
After abit, thinking that we "had lost her/them", we could hear them again.
We all felt the same as you and the Italiens infront of you had felt. Unfortunate for sure, but that is what makes the world what it is.
I was very intrigued by your visit/story. Sounds like a wonderful time - Thanks for sharing it!
- Willie H ....
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 | Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa 
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2006-03-09 125870
That would be a neat trip! I'm jealous.
I understand and appreciate the "ugly" american aspect. I've traveled to London, Scotland, China and Korea. I've always tried to be respectful and courteous and have never had problems with the locals. I do my best to represent the US like I would want it to be. Unfortunately, others lack that tack.
Glad you enjoyed yourself! ....
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 | Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL 
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2006-03-09 125882
Sounds like a wonderful trip. It is a shame that one event, by an American has to ruin the trip. I have been to Europe a number of times, but not really had much time to do the tourist thing.
The one ugly American incident I had was on one Swiss Air flight home. The couple with the seats behind me, were dressed in the typical tacky tourist attire and seemed to have skipped a number of days of showering or “When in France?” When they stood up it almost knocked you out. The woman looked like the actress in “Throw Mamma from the Train” Ann Ramsey, although slightly more rotund. He looked like an overweight aging businessman.
After the first 20 minutes of the long flight, they started arguing loudly. For a couple of hours they bickered with one another. Periodically, one would leave to cool off, banging my seat, as they squeezed by each other. Naturally this would wake me up for another round of chocking and gasping.
After a few hours of this they decided to raise the fight to the physical level, slapping one another periodically and the back of my seat. I yelled a couple of times, but they seemed oblivious to anyone else. Finally the steward had to ask them to calm down and take their seats and they obeyed. For the last few hours of the fight we could only hear angry muttering, like Kathy Bates in “The Waterboy”.
At the height of the war I leaned over to the man next to me and said, “You know this takes the meaning of the term “Ugly American Tourist” to new heights”. That was about the only laugh we had on that flight.
Well maybe we can laugh now? ....
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 | SG8NUC
Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 579 g
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2006-03-09 125901
Ksmmoto
You lucky dog sounds like a great trip wish i could have been there. I would have never met the ugly american. Me and the russian would have been looking for his name on that seat. just a joke I spent 2 years in germany and i have noticed that the ugly americans act the same over here as over there. Went to Italy saw the alps from the window of a C-147 they were still beautiful. You are correct about the experence you have to be there the get it all. Glad you had a great trip. ....
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