If you're like me, you may not have wanted Canadian clothing or accessories as badly as this past two weeks. Hudson's Bay has been slammed, with people lining up outside the store to get some 2010 gear. Since there are only two days left of the Games, if you don't feel like shelling out the dough or waiting in line at this point for at the Bay, you may want to check out the mini street market in Yaletown to get some cheap Canadian gear.

I know when people hear 'Yaletown' they usually don't think cheap (on some nights during the Olympics pubs were charging $20 to get in), but the strip on Mainland Street between Davie and Nelson has a bunch of booths selling various Canadian attire. Here you'll find  Canada t-shirts, toques, earmuffs, flags and even a rain poncho made out of the flag for prices under $20, and sometimes under $10. On top of the good deals, the atmosphere is filled with Canadian and international tourists alike strolling about in search of a good time. There's usually a busker playing out in front of the various pubs and restaurants that line the strip. If you can't afford to stop at the restaurants, you could pop into one of the refreshment tents for a quick popcorn or poutine (still a bit expensive but cheaper than the restaurants. I do feel at times that poutine can be worth $7!)

People walk down the little market strip in Yaletown

A woman looks at Canadian flag ponchos, which cost $20

This man says his business of selling $5 toques and scarves is thriving.

These men are selling flags. The most popular is the Canadian one, they say. Second most - the American, of course. You can get one for $7 or two for $12.

Cheap red white and black ear muffs.

It may be more of a spring than winter Olympics, but the great weather just adds to the exhilarating and patriotic atmosphere that is Vancouver these days. Thank you Mother Nature, for giving us a much needed break from the grey Vancouver rain at the perfect time. The cherry blossoms are blooming, and in the background the mountains are as clear as I've seen them since I moved here last summer.

Cherry blossoms line Cypress Street in west Vancouver.

For someone who has lived abroad the past two years, it's great to walk down the sunny streets and see all the Canadian pride. There are flags displayed in the windows of homes and stores, and the crowd is sea of red filled with people showing their Canadian identity.

Someone decorates their home to show their Olympic spirit.

It's all foot traffic down Robson Street.

The last time I celebrated Canada Day I was in Bangkok. I desperately searched the streets for fellow Canadians to have a drink with me for our nation's birthday and didn't come up with much. In fact, the one Canadian I did meet seemed content to be alone. So far my olympic experience has made up for this. The streets in Vancouver are as flooded with people as many people as Bangkok's famous Khao San Road, where the shops, restaurants and hotels attract thousands of tourists every day. And in and out of the venues on Vancouver's streets you can find thousands of celebrations going on, whether it's at a bar full of people watching a Team Canada hockey game or a free concert venue where Wilco is playing.

On my day off last Thursday I had the chance to fully enjoy the Olympics. I went down and met a friend at the Vancouver Art Gallery and watched as people lined up to sit in a bobsled on display, and crowded around two RCMP posing for pictures. It was cool just to be amongst it all. Afterwards we made our way to the LiveCity Downtown venue to get in a lineup for the Canada Pavilion! It was 45 minutes long, but well worth it for a chance to watch Canada beat Switzerland in men's hockey. I like to continue thinking about this win despite Sunday night's disappointing loss against the USA.

People line up beside the Olympic clock. They're waiting to have their picture taken with a bobsled.

Spectators at the Canada Pavilion watch the men's hockey game against Switzerland. Brodeur's looking sharp in net!

A fan waves his flag furiously during the game at the Canada Pavilion.

I've never considered sports my number one passion, but I have certainly done a 180 when it comes to the Games in Vancouver (or maybe a triple axle now that we're talking world-class sports). I thought I would mostly be excited about the great bands playing for free all over Metro Vancouver during the Olympics. I went to see the Mother Mother show at LiveCity Yaletown and had a ball, partly because they played an excellent set, and partly because it was free!

Yet I have surprised myself and become interested in men and women's hockey. The games have been great so far, most obviously due to the fact that we're winning! I'm always been a true Canadian patriot, so how could I not share in the pride of our victories? Canada's wins have mostly been no contest - the women have crushed their opponents in their first three games against Slovakia, Switzerland and Sweden, and the men shut out Norway 8-0 Tuesday. And even though many of us can't afford to watch the competition live, we can still gather with friends to watch the games at someone's house - or better yet, one of the many Olympic houses.  Anyone who has braved the line up to get into a venue showing the game on TV is a faithful fan, and who better to enjoy the game with? Even the line ups to get in should be filled with hockey fever. Which is my other main reason for jumping on the sports bandwagon - the excited, contagious spirit of the crowds.

Though my attempts to watch the Men's hockey against Norway at Atlantic House  didn't work out Tuesday because of the lineups, it was still nice to be amongst the many excited hockey fans on the street. I hope my attempt to cheer on Canada at Ontario House tomorrow works, but even if it doesn't it will still be fun trying.

One day before the Olympics, the crowds gathered on the streets to welcome the flame. Now they are here there and everywhere, on the streets and inside every restaurant, bar or Olympic house! It's awesome to be part of this whenever you can squeeze your way in.