Bishop's postcard from the Edge (of Turin)

TURIN, Italy — I'm not sure what was more strange during my second trip into Turin.

That I covered an event with a roof over my head — or that it felt colder inside this venue than outside in the Alps. It felt like they packed more than 7,000 people in a freezer and played a hockey game.

Life is definitely different down here. Reporters spend their time complaining about the atmosphere instead of complaining about logistics like we do in the mountains. They say it doesn't feel very much like the Olympics in the city. They lament the vibe.

I haven't spent enough time here to make that judgment call, but I can say that folks in the Alps kick the festivity up a notch.

There were no cowbells ringing in the stands at the Palasport Olimpico on Wednesday night. There were no bands playing in the stands, fewer homemade signs, and no weirdos wearing backpacks with goat heads resting on the top (long story, but it's true).

The Palasport Olimpico served its purpose, though, even if it looked like they built it a week ago. It allowed me to cover a game in sneakers instead of boots, allowed for my first Olympic hockey game, even allowed for my first sighting of a throwback jersey (Lance Alworth, powder blue, San Diego Chargers).

So chalk my second trip into the big city as another enjoyable experience.

I'm going outside to warm up.

Greg Bishop: 206-464-3191 or gbishop@seattletimes.com