Now I don't know if this was the case in Singapore during the 2010 YOG, but as part of the Olympics, many countries have organized "country houses" whereby they showcase their country's culture, products, arts, music, food etc to the Olympic visitors. Whilst they have traditionally functioned as a focal point for their country's athletes, media and supporters, it is also a great way to showcase your country to potential tourists who are thinking of their next holiday after the Olympics. I have not been able to do all of them and there were so many that I just had to prioritize which ones were the best to go - they are not all free and not all are even open to the public but I thought I'd share with you some of the photos to show you the best country houses I visited and how I got a taste of so many different cultures from around the world right here in London!
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| With the Olympic Rings by Tower Bridge |
The gold medal definitely goes to Brazil - but then again they had two separate exhibitions, one at their embassy and one at Somerset House. Given that the next Olympics will be held in Rio in 2016, they have a point to prove. The silver medal goes to Qatar - they kept feeding you from the time you stepped in and they had the best passion fruit cheesecake in town and the food is all free! The bronze medal goes to Sochi Park, where they are hosting the next Winter Olympics in 2014.
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| At the Monaco House exhibition on Haymarket |
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| The countdown to the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi Russia has started! |
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| At the Sochi Park exhibition in Kensington Gardens. |
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| Quite a few of these Olympic torches around town right now! |
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| Russia Park in Kensington Gardens |
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| Arigato in London, the Japan event. |
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| At the South African exhibition on the South Bank |
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| Bayt Qatar at the IET, Savoy Place |
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| At the Bayt Qatar Exhibition |
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| It was a little piece of Middle Eastern mystique in London. |
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| Posing with a Qatari teapot. |
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| At Belgium House in the Inner Temple |
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| At the back entrance to the Belgium House event |
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| At Club France at the Old Billingsgate Market |
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| Look! A Viking Ship at the Imagine Denmark event at St Katherine's Dock! |
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| Hello Austria! |
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| Visiting Korea House in Knightsbridge |
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| I was actually recognized at Slovak House... I was the face of Funfon SK last year! |
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| At Casa Italia in Westminster. |
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| The Flags of all the participating countries in front of Big Ben |
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| There it is, found it! |
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