Cathy Kroll has been within feet of lions, nearly fallen into a protected waterfall in Croatia, and renewed her wedding vows outside a church overlooking Florence, Italy, and yet all of that was topped by her journey to the Rio Olympics. Don’t tell her husband.
The Ventura-based travel planner recently returned from Brazil where she attended 18 events (table tennis anyone?), took selfies with everyone (including Hoda Kotb from the Today Show) and did it all while decked out in Stars and Stripes attire (which took two years to curate).
Kroll stopped singing “At the Copa…” long enough to put fingers to keyboard and talk with us about attending the opening ceremonies, watching Michael Phelps swim his last race and what it means to be an “active” spectator.
What has been your favorite journey?
That’s a tough question, but if I had to pick, it would be one of these.
- Being an “active” spectator with my sister at the 2016 Rio Olympics. We actively participated as spectators in over 20 events and the Opening Ceremony. We started collecting our red, white and blue apparel two years prior to the Olympics. We dressed up daily in our red, white and blue, taking photos with people from all over the world–Fun times, fantastic people, no mosquitoes, despite all the warnings…we met so many wonderful Brazilians–helpful, kind and… they love to have a good time! It took me two weeks, but I learned to say I love Brazil in Portuguese… “Eu amo o Brazil”… thanks to google translate.
- Having two lionesses walk within two feet of our vehicle while on a South African Safari, and the guide assuring me they wouldn’t attack me –I nearly had my own little (heart) attack.
- Drift diving in Cozumel with my 20-year-old son Jon, who was demonstrating his circus skills with acrobatics underwater and making me laugh so hard that I almost lost my regulator.
- Renewing our 25th wedding vows outside San Miniato church overlooking Florence with family and friends and my daughter going in the church and coming out with bouquet for me, made of flowers left from the previous wedding.
- Hiking one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes with over 90 waterfalls….and almost falling into the UNESCO protected waterfalls.
What tops your bucket list?
Dancing with the (real) Stars: The Maasai Warriors in Tanzania…although I don’t think I can even jump two inches off the ground.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Traveling anywhere and laughing with my husband Phil, especially traveling to Italy’s Cinque Terre: Waking up in the town of Vernazza, watching the shop owners get ready for their day, enjoying an espresso or two, hiking the upper Cinque Terre trails for 2-3 hours, eating an incredible Italian lunch with good Italian wine for a few hours, then taking the ferry back to Vernazza and doing it all over again for four days…the good life…”La Dolce Vita”
Did you meet Michael Phelps? Is he really seven-feet tall like he looks on TV?
Unfortunately, I only saw Michael from the stands, but it was AMAZING to watch him live at the swimming finals… and to witness him swim his last Olympic race and pull his team ahead to win the 4×100 Medley Relay—INCREDIBLE! I did meet two of his teammates, USA’s medal winners Caeleb Dressel and Tom Shields–nicest guys!
Your favorite moment of the Games that you got to witness, go.
Attending and especially, cheering, at the Opening Ceremonies as all the athletes walked in. These were moments I’ll never forget. Cheering on Team USA athletes and then, of course, cheering on the flag holder Pita Taufatofua from Tonga (Google him)!
Did you have the chance to see any, we’ll put it politely, non-mainstream sports at the Games?
Yes, oh my gosh, we got to see sports that I never thought I was interested in seeing–does that sound bad? Yes, it does. These sports and athletes were awesome to watch!
Field hockey was so interesting, especially when all the players run to the sidelines and gear up to help defend a penalty shot and then come out throwing their protective gear to the sidelines.
The Korean fans enhanced our first archery experience by giving us thunder cheering sticks and Korean flags to cheer on the reigning female Olympic gold medalist Ki Bo-bae.
Badminton, table tennis and fencing were the other events we loved watching. The sacrifice and skill of these athletes was beyond what I could ever imagine…seriously.
At any point did you sing, to yourself or out loud, “At the Copa, Copacabana”?
Oh absolutely did I sing this aloud–too boring if I sang it to myself. We sang “At the Copa, Copacabana” as we strolled down Copacabana Promenade–maybe that’s why Hoda from the Today Show wanted a selfie with us.
I am sure if you did an analysis of the cheering at the Opening Ceremonies and the 18 events we attended, you could hear my voice–let’s just say, I’ve never been described as quiet.
Cheers! Can’t wait for Toyko 2020.
Editor’s note: to see a collection of selfies and other images that Cathy shot while in Rio de Janeiro visit her Facebook page.