Olympic Post Cards, First Day of Issue 1983, Los Angeles 1984

I read about upcoming First Day Issue post cards in a 

small article in the newspaper during July of 1983.

During the former three Olympic Games, Mexico 68, Munich 72 and

Montreal 76, I was single, the world was my home. My son was born

while we were living in Laguna Beach in 1979 so Korea was

impossible for me to attend. My daughter was born in1981.

Loved my babies but oh how I missed the exciting games.

Then  alleluia, the Olympics came...to me in 1984!

These post cards were issued and distributed at the Long Beach

Post Office in 1983. prior to the 1984 games. All three of us made had

an adventurous day driving to Long Beach to purchase some.

They remain my favorite. Great for trading.

Love sailing, love this design!

Olympic Stamp Collecting

Stamp Collecting is very much a part of the Olympic Games.

I will be posting some of my preferred stamps. 

I was attracted to design and aesthetics. Not a

serious collector yet, after many Olympic Games, 

my collection grew, quite seriously!

After the games my parents were always excited when
mail arrived from far away places.  This one from the
Tunisia Prensa head, Mustapha Majoul 1968.

Arts and Crafts and Recycling at the Olympics

One of the reasons many of us head to the Olympic Games is to enjoy the culture and the art.  The craftiness of the locals, using whatever medium they enjoy and moreover, afford, is often delightful. The street vendors and street markets are my faves. Would love to see, during some future Olympics, some area  for artists of the country with no license fees! First come, first serve type of thing with NO RED TAPE FOR ARTISTS and even paying artists if they sell art using RECYCLED items to keep the Olympics GREEN. Here is one item I purchased at the Mexico Olympics in 1968.  The dove, yet again, the symbol of peace in the world!! Protocol; no olympic rings. The artist told me that she had very little money but had access to heaps of leftover yarn. Cool, aye?

Ellie Rogers...in our "National Geographic Photo"

In the center courtyard of Vidin Castle, Baba Vida...Opa!!

Vidin, Bulgaria

This medieval castle on the banks of the Danube was named "Baba Vida".  It endured centuries and avoided the sad destiny of the other medieval castles along the lower Danube because it was outside the scope of the Russian - Turkish Wars.

Up the Lower Danube River to Bulgaria

Both of us were in a bit of a daze, we made it to Bulgaria!

Along the Lower Danube...

Historic sites like this!

Up very early before dawn to enjoy tying up The River Concerto.

Another Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Elena placed a red and white ribbon on the tree in the main square.
 A custom that dates back to the 6th Century. (no doubt with...a little prayer.)

Made it to Bucharest and the Black Sea!!

Wonders never cease. Here I am on The Black Sea 

...almost two months AFTER the games!

After last minute decisions and a comedy of errors in airports with m’dear old friend Shirley Lind, we made it to Bucharest, Romania, the Paris of the East!  We had a royal look at tree lined boulevards, elegant mansions, lovely parks, dracula’s historic building, embassy row, the ‘arch d’triumph’, and orthodox churches with so many sacred icons and holy candles lighting the way for hopes and dreams of these lovely Romanian people who have suffered much in the past.

AND so many historic landmarks with heaps of ancient history along with an in-depth look at recent history as told to us by locals who lived through the 1989 revolution.

A bus ride from Bucharest to Constanta on the Black Sea where we boarded the awesome ship named Concerto with its upbeat crew and its UPBEAT PASSENGERS, (that would be us: ) AaiiiYA!  It is all too much for words.

Ah this  Eastern Orthodox holiness.

I could feel the goodness of the
local Romanians as I passed by.

Architecture grandeur

Ancient Roman...BABY BOTTLE!

Petrified wine, yup it really is!

Rolled m'trousers to feel The Black Sea

Happy Easter, m'luvs!

Shirley in our cabin on the Black Sea.

We're off. (The historic canal of the southern part of the Danube River)

The Black Sea and Eastern Europe

Although I enjoyed part of the Black Sea during my time in Turkey years ago, was thinking that an adventure to Sochi Olympics would have enabled me to broaden my understanding about the the eastern area of that sea.  Never made it to Sochi.

( Opted to be at a reunion with dear dear old college friends from Chestnut Hill College : )

Since the games, have heard from those returning, that Sochi was even more expensive than expected and not quite the usual upbeat crowd who knew about cueing up etc.  Am quite sure others enjoyed it of course, but it seemed that several that I spoke with were faced with more difficulties than usual.

As for me, because of Twitter and the IBC, although I did not attend the games in person, I definitely can say that I enjoyed Sochi.  Therefore feel a bit sad that some had some negative experiences.

A great part of attending ANY Olympics is meeting the people, which expands one's knowledge and appreciation about the culture and history of any part of our world.  Listening to their life stories, laughing with them, dancing with them.  Yah, I did miss THAT important part of the 2014 games.

Black Sea and Eastern Europe...to be continued...

Such a Social Sochi, Thanks Again Russia

Was able to imagine what is was like inside the Opening and Closing Ceremonies almost as if I was there, perhaps because I was fortunate enough to attend so many in the past.  The format quite similar to past Olympics, the content so diverse. Always SPECTACULAR.  (The ability to demonstrate a sense of humor made me think of Vancouver 2010.)

Here are a few “tweets” from watching, listening and computing:

Olympics go even more...mobile

Thousands of selfies

Whimsical uniforms

A visual fantasia, what a kick off

Shooting stars and classical visions 

Famous Russian authors’ flying pages

Terabites of pics per second

Segways

Halfpipe glory

Nail biter endings
Timing booths precision

Canada IS ice hockey

Super excited Russians, RUSHEEYA!
Team USA, stars were shining

A bit of blurry fog, mostly sunshiny days

Scott Hamilton’s got global appeal

I feel delight when smaller countries sparkle

Logog, sogog...rogog

Jellied meats and yah, McDonalds

Gotta love the geeky details
Athlete's tweets, everybody's tweets...so neat.

Was it an electric fan keeping those two flags looking pretty?

Heaps of sweeps

Holland so small, medals so many, evening celebration vibes could be felt everywhere

All athletes on all teams are winners

What a wonderful buzz it was. Thank you Russia, thank you world. 

More seeds for GLOBAL PEACE planted on our sacred earth.

Thank You Russia, Thank You Sochi!

Thank You Russia, Thank You Sochi, Job Well Done!!!

The highlight for many of us in the USA was ability to enjoy the games through the eyes of the athletes via Twitter. They shared with us what they saw from their perspective and they shared their thoughts, pulled us in closer to the Olympic Village. Such a buzz.  So many positives. We simply loved how the athletes from many countries tweeted and oh how we enjoyed their heartfelt posts and their positive comments.

The Opening, the excitement, the comments after the competitions were super. But most of all, the scenes of merriment outside of the venues and outside of the Olympic Park made us feel that we were there in Russia, as well.

People of the world celebrating in peace. Que Bravo!

And so so many of incredibly wonderful posts with photos that were posted via Twitter have been appreciated here in California and around the globe. 

Thank you Sochi, we were there in Spirit. Olympic Spirit.

Good Friends Looking for Olympic Housing in Adler

If per chance any of my Russian readers see this, please contact me if you know of a family in Adler who would love having three Olympic family friends from USA. Wendy, her mom and dad are delightful and will inevitably add to your Olympic enjoyment! Email me: ccadora@gmail.com

Will be happy to answer any questions!

Russian Memories at Past Olympics

Met so many Russians at past Olympics and the few that I knew quite well I lost contact.

Danced with one at the '68 Mexico Olympics.
Partied with a few pin traders at the '76 Olympics in Montreal.
My favorite street artist during the '92 Barcelona Games was Russian.
Lived down the street from their headquarters at the Vancouver Games so
often chatted at our favorite Russian Restaurant on the West End.
And my famous OLGA STORY, the beautiful Russian translator during Athens 2004!

Not going to Sochi but will be adding my Sochi thoughts to this blog.

After opening ceremony...everything good blankets the host city....

A New Greek in Tacoma!

Flew to Tacoma with my son Don, in honor of a new Greek in our family, a new Greek in Tacoma, Washington!

Thanks to Kelly and Chris Rosati we flew north for the christening at St Nicholas Greek Church of their son, my grand nephew, Leo Rosati!  It was a week of fantastic ceremonialism, many family parties, lots of cousin-bonding, and a Greek Festival that brought my thoughts back to Athens 2004.

Ah, and the dancing of Clara and Anna, and the dancing feet of our little Leo along with the super music straight from Greece gave everyone such good energy.

Greek music was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of Athens 2004. Greek music, deep music, powerful music that makes everyone want to dance. Add...a full moon above our heads...the Acropolis shining brightly high up on the hill, and dancing on that ancient ground (with laughter at our mistakes)...dancing with the world.

Laguna Beach's Oldest Lifeguard Vet, Johnny Garau

During my workouts at the YMCA a few years back, I heard this "Legend of Laguna", Johnny Garau, talking story about the Olympics in Barcelona.  The topic of the Olympics is automatically a cue for me to join in the conversation. Many stories followed before Johnny 'caught the last boat', August 23, 2013. He was ready.  He was ready.

ALOHA JOHNNY, now we'll keep our eyes open for your sailboat, O'Johnny, in the Dana Point Harbor.

Such a character! Such a surfer! Such a history!

Johnny was named after his dad, Aurelio, when he was born in 1925.  He was brought up and lived most of his life in Laguna Beach.  He also lived on his boat in the Dana Point Harbor for 35 years.  Up until last week he was Laguna Beach's oldest living lifeguard vet. Many locals smile when they recall meeting him and how, at one time, he swam or surfed to work! Yup, he kept his boat out in the ocean, not far from Thalia Street Beach in the old days. He would dive off his boat in the morning and surf to the beach.

When he was a kid out on the family ranch, he liked his tree house and liked to swing from the trees just like his idol, Tarzan, Johnny Weismuller.  Johnny Weismuller, recipient of five gold medals in swimming during Olympic Games in the 1920's.  Johnny Garau had lots of names. Aurelio, Frenchy, Uncle and Junior were a few. He liked the name "Johnny" best because of Weismuller and it stuck.  His parents asked him what he would like for his First Communion present when he was seven years old. He told them he wanted to see the Tarzan movie.  After they took him for pie at Knott's Berry Farm, they all went to see the movie Tarzan the Ape.

His dad, who became a father late in life, was his first teacher along with his very proper mom and the German Dominican nuns at St Catherine's Military Academy. There were many rules for him while growing up and this is what gave him a strong foundation which enabled him, I believe, to fly so high in life. Again, such a character!

His dad had an exciting life. He went hunting in North Aftica while in the military 'as a kid', worked in a mine and later worked in the restaurant and catering business. He catered for dignitaries and eventually Queen Victoria's Funeral. He moved to the east coast of the USA, worked at world fairs and went hunting with Teddy Roosevelt. Later moved to California and among many things, owned the Cotton Club in Los Angeles and Victor Hugo's, now Las Brisas, in Laguna Beach.  His dad was friends with several of the first Hollywood movie stars including Mary Pickford, as well as the opera singer, Caruso and the musician Cab Calloway. His mom spoke four languages. She came from the Blanchard Family who ran wagon trains, some of them from Canada, during the pioneering days. One of the wagon train stops was Las Vegas, New Mexico where Johnny's mother was raised. She was born in Texas. There is great history from both sides of his grandparents as well.

He often spoke of the afterlife...
was more than ready...
for those Olympic sized...
waves in the sky.

Aloha Johnny.

We are all one
in one Great Spirit.

(to be continued)

Great Olympic Fan, Eleanor Weems, World War II Pilot Flying Higher

This incredibly awesome woman, my 'California Mum', is one of the reasons I am writing this blog. It has been Eleanor's great enthusiasm for the entire Olympic movement that first got me interested in the games during the summer my sister and I lived with her family many years ago.

Her daughter, Frances, phoned me Friday to tell me her mom, (96 years old), was not responding.

Could do nothing else but head to be with her in Newport Beach, California.

After being by her side through the night last night, breathing with her, Fran and I went a few blocks away to 8:00 A.M. Sunday Mass at the little chapel on Balboa Island.

At 8:35 A.M. this morning, exactly when we were receiving Holy Communion, Eleanor left her earthly body. In her time...in His time.

Our World War II pilot passed beyond the clouds she once flew in.

She's now flying higher...stronger.

Olympics and Obama's Personal Speech on Race

Obama's speeches have been so inclusive, always from the people's perspective.
But this July of 2013 he spoke for himself about a personal topic and encouraged all of us to do so.

Here are a few of my many personal thoughts at random:

• Brought up by the most inclusive person I've ever known, my dad.
• Studied in a Liberal Arts College, Chestnut Hill, where many were advocates of the poor.
• Graduated, taught in California, worked and traveled freely around Europe and the Middle East.
• Taught and traveled for a few years in Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan.
• Was not allowed to enter some places in Asia where signs were posted, "No Whites Allowed".
• Heard from many Asians who had greater fears of blacks than any other country I'd been in.
• After several years in that part of the world went directly to work in Mexico City during the Olympic Games. Entered the Athlete's Olympic Village where everyone, for the most part, had manners.  Then was shocked at my own embarrassment as my friends pointed out the rudeness of Team USA's blacks inside the Athlete's Village. Tried to defend them by reminding my co-workers that there's a large range of types in every culture. Then after several times inside the village saw so much of it that I too had some personal negative thoughts. Perhaps having been around the 'ever so polite' Japanese where etiquette is a priority gave even more contrast.
• Obama as a young boy, for a couple of years in Asia...how difficult it must have been for him.

Then there was my year in Rio de Janeiro, where three million gathered a day ago for the Pope Francis.
Rio, where smiles and sidewalks, music and dancing, beaches and volleyball, white people and black people...blend.

Just as Obama said, talking about it will help many to understand. It can bring the inside out and clear the air. We often feel great after a good wringing out, aye?  And we all know that understanding and tolerating and sometimes celebrating differences can and will bring...
a more peaceful world,
a more peaceful country,
and a more peaceful home.

To Be or Not to Be, That is the Question

After my front desk duty at the Community/Senior Center
this afternoon went to a great Shakespeare/Musical
Production at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach.



Somehow my mind drifted to things 'to be' or 'not to be', archives, then paper...yup PAPER. 
Which will be around in long term future? Digital images or hard copies!? Archival paper is not the norm. Digital copies might be difficult to retrieve with the future of changing technologies. Which is better for thousands who work on family history, family journals and story telling.  The Dead Sea Scrolls survived, will digital? A question that many have.

Well here is a bit of an example of a hard copy. 
Notice the name "Carole Cadora" disappearing.
No doubt, like most, this is not archival paper.

IBC, International Broadcasting Center!

Sochi 2014 and Olympin!

Returned to the West Coast after attending a festive reunion with so many awesome classmates from Chestnut Hill College, in Chestnut Hill, Pa.  (So enjoyed Kathy Heidere, a classmate, who went to the Montreal 1976 games. We had a good chuckle about bumping into each other in Canada.  Such a buzz.) Among the pile of mail upon my return was a package from Olympin in New York.

The pin for Sochi 2014 was enclosed and had no Olympic rings!

Pimco, who once gave the license to the club, was no longer in charge of producing Olympic pins. Hmmm, nothing more permanent than change, aye? Now wondering about the new pin licenses. Many Russians, traditionally, had "pin fever". It will be interesting.  It seemed many more Russians than usual attended the 76 games...most likely because Moscow 1980 was to be next on the 'game plan'.

A Putin quote opens the Sochi Website:

"We are determined to organize a real celebration in 2014, a festival of sport, deserving of its unique mission: to unite people around the world with really significant values - a healthy lifestyle, tolerance and equality."

Household Projects Have Been Ongoing

Household projects are leading me to some fun Olympic visuals.

An example of an Olympic Certificate. I received this

after working for the AOB, Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting

 during the Centennial Olympic Games.  The two names in

the lower corners are Juan Antonio Samaranch and William 

Porter Payne.

Inauguration Day Parade, Washington DC

Crowded events keep many people away.  Occasionally they even keep me away.

Many years ago in between living in Asia and Brazil, I was home in the USA helping my dad and mom in our family business.  1969 was the busiest year my dad ever had.  When the inauguration day arrived that "excitement inner clock" of mine went off at 4:00, 4:00 AM.  This time the thought of a crowded event did not keep me away.  Quite like the Olympic crowd!

My parents were sleeping and although I wanted to wake them and ask them if they wanted to drive to Washington DC, I knew they were exhausted and opted to write them a note that went something like this: "Mom and Dad, I happened to wake up very early and have decided to drive to DC to join in on the historical inauguration event.  I will phone you later."

I arrived in DC and found a great parking space close to where the parade was forming. Soon after I exited my car, dressed neatly in one of my spiffy hand tailored Hong Kong suits I walked by a few of the floats that were ready to roll. The driver of the Florida float chatted with me and explained that the girl that was to ride with him could not make it.  

Yup, you guessed what he asked me next..."Would you like to ride in the parade?"

Naturally I answered YES!  And soon found myself waving to thousands.

It is such a fun world...and THAT was SUCH a fun day!

The Profound Power of THE Flame

Just what is it about the power of a flame?

The last thing I emptied from my car prior to heading to help salvage some family history and some of my own history in NJ was to place the bonfire wood I got from Bill Holder out for neighborhood grabs.
Was planning to have a bonfire on the beach in November 2012 but because nothing is more permanent than change, had to give up that little stash of kindling.  Just love bonfires and once in while driving home by Aliso Beach in the evening we will just stop and enjoy the sight of bright fires on a dark night with the the melody of the ocean in the background. Mm mm good!

As a kid, candles lit on our dining room table and made our meals so ceremonial! Candles across Atlantic Avenue at Saint James Church made our prayer time more sacred.  Fires in our "6404" fireplace made our cold winter nights warm and cozy.  Lit candles on our birthday cakes always made us a bit breathless just as fire works did on the 4th of July.  ( For my kids, Don and Marion, occasionally I would light a candle for small meals, even if we were only having a tuna fish sandwich!)

The seven day candles in Old Serra Chapel in San Juan Capistrano made our family have hope in hard times and allowed us to give others hope by lighting a special candle for them. The iron workers out on the Mission grounds made useful tools with their fire, just as the Mission's ovens modeled from Spain's 13th century ovens were used making Capistrano the place where technology began in California.

Whether it be at the Kris Kringle night time markets of Europe, the fire dancers of the South Pacific or the flames that attract fish to the fishing boats in Asia, the warm candlelight of Chestnut Hill College's chapel, fire, when used for good, makes us feel incredibly good.

Whether it be the huge torches along the night beaches of Waikiki or simply a tiny tea candle in a jam jar hanging from a tree or placed by a flower in the center of the table during evening cocktail time, fire can make a serene lovely night lovelier.

But just what is it about the magnificently PROFOUND POWER OF THE OLYMPIC FLAME...

Montreal 1976 Olympic Flame

There is not one person that I know that has not been profoundly moved by the Olympic Flame. 

Mexico 1968 Olympic Tee Shirt

Such fun to find...

A simple well designed tee shirt in 1968! 

The orange and yellow dish was a gift, and there is

another identification card used in the old analog

broadcasting days.  Such a well known name and

well loved athlete, Don Schollander!

That Was Not Santa Who Brought That Sack

...But it sure felt like Christmas when

 George III stopped by.

Hurricane Sandy

Tucked in an old trunk, during Hurricane Sandy.
Mexico, Munich and Montreal programs and 
articles of SammyLee, DrYou, etc.

Sandy

Here is the last sentence of my last post of this blog which I wrote in California during the hurricane:
Now back to Twitter and the news about Hurricane Sandy and our wet boxes under the beds.

Now here I am, writing this post back at the Southern New Jersey Shore!

So many stories, so much disaster...
along with so much gratitude that all our family members were safe.

So here I am, on Absecon Island, one of the barrier islands along the Atlantic Coast.

And before I return to saving old family history photos which are more important than the Olympic memorabilia, and for the most part, are almost dry now, the Olympic Pins that I spoke of in my last post were in my old backpack which was on the floor of the basement.  Of course we were all thinking of the value of a human life, not things, so I did not dare ask for anything beforehand.  Days passed and wondered if I should ask for a few items.  There were days with no power. That was another reason not to call and use up their precious cell time.  Then, after making my own executive decision to fly back word came of another storm.  Was wondering where if could camp/sleep.  So of course would not fly back.  Then Christy asked if I wanted anything out of 3 North during that wet windy week; she told me that George III was able to get to the island.  So told her about Lois's box under the bed and and my ruck sack.  BINGO! Later received a text from her...atttached was a great photo of George and Lois's items drying that had previously been floating items in a long plastic box.

Her text read, "Rescued!"  : )

Pin Trading Venue in the Olympic Park

So many distractions since I last wrote including my Southern New Jersey Shore stay at 3 North, a rad basement dwelling which I heard today is under a foot of agua and rising! Superstorm Sandy 2012!

Continued my Olympic Park strolling.  Stopped to chat often.  Everyone was eager to share their excitement, met mostly British.  The foreigners I met that first day had primarily come to the UK with an organized tour group.  Most were not hesitant to express how expensive everything was.

When I got to the Coca Cola Pin Trading building in the park, was surprised to see a line primarily because I hadn't seen many Olympic fans walking around with lanyards of "metal" hanging around their necks or hats covered with Olympic pins.  Waited about fifteen minutes to enter and had a bit of a "walk through" to familiarize and update myself.  This pin trading center was quite different from previous games; all the pins were Coca Cola pins.

I set up my pins from previous games, on the only empty table.  My first trades were with folks I chatted with while I cued up for entrance.  Then there were a few others and then, many young kids with their parents who I ended up giving pins to in order to get them started.  It is always fun to trade and chat, as most agree.  The most enjoyable part is meeting interesting people from all over the world.

Never found the Hyde Park Coca Cola Pin Trading Venue even though I was in the park many times. The park was across from my temporary home near Lancaster Gate.  After one of the swimming events there I saw a great sign, one sign leading the way to "Pin Trading", I headed in the direction the sign was pointing then nada, niente!  Decided to go to the Serpentine Museum instead and it was a great decision.  It featured Yoko Ono's exhibition. (Yoko walked right next to me when she entered closing ceremony btw.)

Did have some good fun trading at the entrance to the Olympic Village one day as well.

Now back to Twitter and the news about Hurricane Sandy and our wet boxes under the beds.

Two Pies and a Quiche = Olympic Ticket!

Strolled, paused, and gazed.  That's what i did most inside the Olympic Park 2012.  Was delighted to simply soak in the exciting and peaceful atmosphere.  

When I met locals from London, I would ask them how they got their Olympic tickets. Heard lots of interesting answers. 

While sitting on a bench 'people watching' near the large Olympic Park Map, I met an interesting man.  We had a good conversation about several topics and I asked him how he got his Olympic ticket.  He seemed glad that I asked him that question.  Probably eager to tell someone just why he was there.

"Today is my birthday" he said.
"My wife tried for a long time to get me an olympic ticket for a birthday present. It was very difficult".

"One day she decided not to give up, she was patient and waited and waited and started baking while she waited.  She was determined not to lose her cue.  She finally got a response...AFTER she had baked two pies and a quiche!"

Entrance to the Olympic Park London 2012

Thrilling walk through the entrance of the Olympic Park!  Took my time to enjoy; watching others, giggling with new friends, soaking in the atmosphere and shooting pics of fellow fans with the "London 2012" and the famous stadium in the background.

Could make this lengthy but, quite simply, just being in the park fulfilled my goal for London 2012.  Music filled the air, guides were everywhere, roaming entertainers brought smiles and no doubt the ice cream girls became expert guides by the end of the games.

Many have written about the details of the park but I'll tell you a few things that you might not read about...

My First 2012 Olympic Ticket

"Keep Moving" was another phrase that was repeated by the guides.  But hey, I just needed to stay in one place for a bit to use my magic marker on one of the sheets of paper I quickly tore out of my sketch pad during my hasty departure from California just about 48 hours beforehand.

Chatted with one of the police while i was making my sign, trying to educate him : ) a bit.  I reminded him that this had always been part of the Olympics.  And wouldn't it be wasteful if someone had an extra ticket and couldn't find someone like me. Waste is never good, aye? 

I remember wishing that i brought my vest with many olympic patches since Mexico '68 which would have given me a more official look but it turned out that i didn't need it and now am thinking that it actually might have attracted too much attention because less than two minutes after I held my magic marker sign up, next to the very kind officer of peace, a dark haired women came up to me and asked, 

"What event do you want to see?" 

"I just need to get inside the Olympic Park" I said.

And bingo with a big smile she handed me a ticket for Olympic Park entry only.  

I quickly reached in my pocket for some historic olympic pins for an exchange/trade/thank you and she said,

 "No, I cannot accept anything". 

"But please" I said,  "let me give you some very collectable pins"...and as she rushed off to the Olympic Park entrance I asked her why not and then she turned and simply said...

"It is a sponsor ticket for you to enjoy from Panasonic". 

Opa!

(Quick flash back of time:  While living in Honolulu, Hawaii in the mid nineteen seventies I went to Panasonic's show room to attend their open house to check out new video recording and video editing systems.  There were others also checking out the new technologies.  Among them were KGMB's chief, Don Cadora and their sound specialist Jim Waters. Jim became a good friend and Don became my husband.) 

Magic at the Olympic Park

Tube travel from Lancaster Gate to Stratford was direct, longer than expected and crowded.  I stood all of the way and chatted with an enjoyable young man with a stronger than usual accent.  He spoke quickly and I found myself straining a bit to understand his English.  He worked at the Olympic Park's McDonalds.  He was excited to work 'inside the park' and hadn't seen any events or any pin trading.  He didn't even know pin trading existed although at former games it often took place around McDonalds so naturally that took me by surprise.  Especially by the second week.

I wasn't wearing my olympic vest with patches from most of the former games and wasn't wearing my lanyard with hunks of metal around my neck.  For that matter, didn't see anyone else wearing their metal pins around their necks or even on their hats.  I remember thinking that this was a bit strange because by the second week of most Olympics, pins were everywhere, along with the fun conversations and merriment that went along with pin trading.

At Stratford crowds from our train and huge crowds from many other trains were guided around to the right to the long walk to the entrance to the park.  "Have your tickets ready" was one of the most common announcements from guides along the way.  I finally got close to the entrance and then after inquiring, found that tickets were returned via "the collections booth".  Hmm "collections".  Got in line for collections booth and asked about returned tickets and was told that they didn't know what happened to those tickets that were returned but they did know that they could not sell them.  Much later heard that there was a place inside the park where purchases could be made.  But how to get inside...that was the question.

Made a few more inquiries and got negative answers.

Then resorted to my favorite "old faithful" Olympic MAGIC PLAN.

Yup, as in MAGIC MARKER!