Olympic 2012 Torch Relay

Ever since the Olympic Torch relay route was announced, a palpable sense of excitement rippled through the town. Lil L's school set about getting all the students to learn about the Olympics. She came home one day muttering words like Mandeville and Wenlock. Huh? Mandeville? Is that an estate? Car? What the heck is a Wen and a Lock? Are you speaking English? Exasperated, she did what most 6 year old would do - rolled her eyes and did that long drawn sigh. Like mom, like you're so like lame. It wasn't until I walked passed McDonald's one day and saw a poster of 2 of the ugliest monsters I've ever set my eyes on and realized that they were the Olympic mascots.





The town was packed and practically heaving with out of towners and locals all vying for the best position to see the torchbearers. These lucky guys next to us were sipping yummy alcoholic fruit punch while the rest of us surreptitiously eyed their drinks with longing instead of watching our kids.





Pretty soon, Union Jack flags began to appear from the windows and backpacks. There were smart entrepreneurs who wanted to cash in on the occasion and plied the streets with overpriced Union Jack flags.








The moment has arrived. Oh wait. It's the advertisers.........




First we had this strange Samsung bus with pop music blaring from every direction. There was a lady with the mic who rapped/sang/screamed while the rest of us, kids included looked utterly bewildered by the "show".





Followed by Lloyds TSB - for all your banking needs (note my sarcasm).




And eeeeeeek. The one eyed monster....err......I mean Wenlock. 





Let's not forget Coca Cola who hired runners to hand out free cokes.





And the moment we've been waiting for - the torch bearer. The Torch Relay lasts for 70 days involving 8000 torchbearers, all nominated from their various achievements and passes through more than 1000 cities, towns and villages in the UK.




I was a little teary eyed when I saw the look on her face as she ran past. She radiated utter joy, humility and pride, having been chosen from hundreds of thousands of individuals to participate in this once in a lifetime occasion.