An Olympic Finale

Persistence sure pays off!  After weeks of fretting about how I was unable to get tickets to any event inside the Olympic Park I hit the jackpot last week when I scored 2 tickets to the Closing Ceremony!

I still can't believe I was there to see it all.  A once in a lifetime experience for sure. 

I am so impressed with how London has prepared for these games.  Hot pink signage is all over the city and thousands of very friendly and helpful volunteers are available at every turn to offer their assistance.

We set off early expecting crowds and delays but  found just the opposite.  We easily made it to the park and collected our tickets with nary a queue.

Into the Olympic Park we go! 

London Calling!

The show was simply amazing.  The sets, music, lights, fireworks, vehicles and special effects were phenomenal.

The musical acts featured old favorites (Spice Girls!  George Michael!  The Who!) and some new stars, too (One Direction!).  There were also a few acts I had never heard of before but the (mostly British) crowd was singing along so they must have been big name stars.

A real highlight was the Parade of Flags and the entrance of the athletes.  I thought the Americans looked dashing in their Ralph Lauren ensembles (while most other countries wore track suits).

The production was over the top.  A giant octopus rising from a psychedelic bus, the Spice Girls atop lighted taxi cabs, and even a human cannonball.  And the fireworks showering over the stadium were truly incredible.

We saw the men's marathon winners receive their medals, and then the handover of the Olympic Flag to the next host city- Rio de Janeiro. 

And finally, after all that celebrating, the Olympic Flame was extinguished and the games declared closed.

I was sad to see the festivities come to an end.  I have enjoyed every moment of these Olympic Games and I feel so lucky to have been able to take part as a fan and a spectator.  It was an amazing two weeks.  Well done, London.  It was, in a word, brilliant!