Lunch at Jerusalem Restaurant

I met up with my friends for lunch on Saturday. We went to Jerusalem Restaurant on Leslie north of Sheppard. It was my second time there. My friend, Gabe, suggested it the first time. This time it was my decision.

Jerusalem Restaurant serves Middle Eastern food buffet style. It's really good. At certain times they even have a belly dancer performing. Though, this time, there wasn't one.

That was fine. We had a great lunch and engrossing conversation. It was nice to just hang out and eat and talk and sit and relax. Other customers came and went, in and out. We were in no rush.

After lunch we headed over to McDonalds to grab a free coffee. They had a one week promotion at the time.

While there we saw the Men's 4x100 metre relay finals. The Jamaicans with Usain Bolt were the overwhelming favorites with the U.S. men following a strong second. Third place was up for grabs though. The Canadians were entered, but being ranked 11th in the world at the time I didn't think we stood a chance.

It was a close race between the Americans and Jamaicans until the final runners. Usain Bolt was the Jamaican anchor. He pulled away from the American runner and won in world record time. Another incredible performance. Could you expect anything else?

Surprisingly, the Canadians came in third. It was all very exciting for everyone watching at McDonalds. We were all so proud of them.

They were very happy too hugging each other and running around the track carrying Canadian flags.

But, then something happened. We (the people watching in McDonalds) saw the Canadian sprinters fall to their knees at the stadium. Tears were coming from their eyes. There was no sound from the television so we couldn't hear what the commentators were saying.

After watching a few replays we figured it out. The Canadian team was disqualified because one of the team member's feet touched the line while running round the track. An innocent, but costly mistake. There was no mercy from the officials.

The bronze medal we would have won (should have won) would have been our 19th of the London games besting our total of 18 from Beijing in 2008. Instead we tied.

I guess that sums up the games regarding the Canadian team. There were some unexpected triumphs as well as unfulfilled potential. Both overwhelming joy and disappointing heartbreak.

It sounds like the story of life. And for seventeen days it helped most of the world escape theirs as they lived vicariously through the athletes that represented their nations.

Note: Lunch price ranges from $12.95 to $20.95 at Jerusalem Restaurant. Dinner is from $19.95 to $27.95.