About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Want to Trade Houses during the Olympics?

THE WINTER OLYMPICS ARE COMING TO TOWN!

The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, will be held February 12-28, 2010, in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

That is less than 6 months from today.
How many of you wish you could be here?

We live about 20 minutes from the Richmond Oval speedskating facility.

We're also only about a 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver where you can see men's and women's ice hockey, curling, figure skating, and the opening and closing ceremonies. There is also public transportation right through the gate from our place.

Everyone has heard of Whistler! It's about a 2-hour drive from our place, but the drive is spectacular, with stunning vistas of sea and mountains all the way. This is where you'll see alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, luge, Nordic combined, skeleton, and ski jumping competitions.

It's going to be difficult to find accomodation in Vancouver during the 2 weeks of the Olympics. Therefore, we've decided to make our home available for a trade. For two weeks, you come and stay in our house and we go and stay in your house. On the upper level, we have two bedrooms available, each with its own bathroom. One has a double bed and the other has a queen bed. On the main level, there's a living room, dining room, and family room, as well as a powder room and laundry room. Parking is on our property.

Because we're talking "February" here, we'd prefer someplace that's a bit "exotic," either in the warmer areas of the USA (or the major cities like New York, Chicago, Boston) or in western Europe or the United Kingdom. We'd prefer at the minimum one or two bedrooms, a sitting room (lounge) with TV, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities, along with a car with AC (if you're in a warmer climate).

We're not attending the Olympics, but don't let lack of accomodation stop you from attending. If you're interested, or know someone who is, please feel free to email us with your details and we can talk.

17 comments:

Saz said...

l look forward to watching them...and thanks for popping over to mine and your comment is most interesting and apt, thank you for the insight.

Katney said...

A great idea, Leslie. But I think I will stay home. Teh ticket prices will be out of my reach.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget that the family room couch pulls out to sleep another 2 people. Your house could (as is) sleep 6, and you could always make available a comfy blow up and padded mattress (they make 'em really comfy now!) Dunno if you put in that there's a fireplace and laundry facilities too, as well as a bbq for those who want the thrill of a winter bbq!

<3 daughter 2

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

A great idea. I wish I was in the position to take it up but I am not able to.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Hope you get a taker from some exotic or coveted destination. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

oh, also you could post an ad on craigslist too - there are other ppl advertising there, either home swap or just rentals for the time

D#2

Anonymous said...

Before you do any of this, make sure your house insurance covers damage caused by rental or home swap.

Russell said...

Well, uh, let's see.... a beautiful home in the most beautiful city in the world during the Olympics in exchange for .... February in Iowa?

Okay, okay!! Please!! Stop laughing!! You will hurt yourself!! (And you would have to be in good shape to deal with the ice and snow storms on the Iowa tundra!!!)

Let's say I won't be waiting by the mailbox for your reply...!! Heh!!

Thumbelina said...

Oh my goodness you are brave! I'd love to come stay one day but hand over my house and car keys???!!!? You are one brave lady. Take the advice from (is it your daughter?) and check out your insurance.

Just popping by as my blogging and visiting has become very sporadic. I am having to quit due to lack of time but I will still visit from time to time.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I'm not a sports fan but I'll ask around here!

Rositta said...

We are actually going to have an apartment in Athens that will be available for rental/trade but it won't be ready until next spring sadly. I have to go there this year and get it partially ready. It wouldn't come with a car though...ciao

Nancy said...

Try this- http://www.vrbo.com/ . You could get paid (probably at a premium because of the Olympics) and go anywhere you wanted I would think. Family members have used the site to find a place to stay, not sure how it works the other way, but you could check it out.

Kael said...

Interesting idea. You could also check out those sites that offer home swaps for people around the globe.

Also have a peak at this Whistler rental site - Bamja.com. They have listings for regular season and for the Olympics. Probably a good place to check out considering they likely are a targeted place of travelers from around the globe seeking a place for the 2010 olympics.

Kael said...

Interesting idea. You could also check out those sites that offer home swaps for people around the globe.

Also have a peak at this Whistler rental site - Bamja.com. They have listings for regular season and for the Olympics. Probably a good place to check out considering they likely are a targeted place of travelers from around the globe seeking a place for the 2010 olympics.

Rob said...

how about Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands? my wife and I have a two bed two and a half bath townhouse just minutes from one of the best beaches in the world! We are looking for min one week in vancouver in exchange for our place.

Chasing Distractions said...

I'm going to be volunteering at the Olympics and will need a place to stay. I know Ottawa is not a very exotic place, especially in February, nor is my one room bachelor apartment a great trade off ;-), but perhaps the person you end up swapping with won't need one of those rooms :-)

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