Well the Torch is officially out in Beijing and the olympic flag has been past on to the Mayor of London... the host city for the Summer Games in 2012.
I can't believe it's already time to go home. Its been so much fun to be a part of another Olympics and especially an historial one.
Since this might be my last post, I hope everyone enjoyed reading the blog and all my experiences over the last 3 weeks here in Beijing.
I will be back in the states Tuesday. Until next time... 再见 (Goodbye)
Leslie
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Great Wall
I finally made it to the Great Wall yesterday. Despite the long day and having not slept in over 24 hours, 10 of us took a bus up to the wall. Thank goodness for the hour bus ride so I was able to take a little nap! One of the guys arranged a tour which was wonderful. Our guide, Woo, spent the first part of the bus ride telling us about where to go and see in Beijing... but he stopped talking when he noticed that everyone was starting to fall asleep. It was great to venture out with some direction! I was getting tired of it always being the blind leading the blind.
We arrived around 5:45pm but it was the perfect time. The weather was awesome, sunny but not too hot. Yesterday was like the first day that I needed my sunglasses. The weather is always great the day after it rains. Anyway, we took a lift up to the wall and spent a little over an hour walking around and hiking up the stairs but I did reach the top. (It was the tall stairs that got me because my legs are so short). If you look at the picture I walked all the way to top!
The view was amazing and because of the clear skies you could actually see. We left the Great Wall around 7pm and were able to see the sunset, it was beautiful!
Now with just 3 days left, I hope to get to see more of the sites of Beijing!
We arrived around 5:45pm but it was the perfect time. The weather was awesome, sunny but not too hot. Yesterday was like the first day that I needed my sunglasses. The weather is always great the day after it rains. Anyway, we took a lift up to the wall and spent a little over an hour walking around and hiking up the stairs but I did reach the top. (It was the tall stairs that got me because my legs are so short). If you look at the picture I walked all the way to top!
The view was amazing and because of the clear skies you could actually see. We left the Great Wall around 7pm and were able to see the sunset, it was beautiful!
Now with just 3 days left, I hope to get to see more of the sites of Beijing!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Heinekin House
I mentioned that every country has a house... and over the past 3 olympics the best "party" house is the Holland House (aka Heineken House). So a couple of nights ago we went to the US men's basketball game and then to check out the house and by house I mean palace. We gave the address to the cab driver and I was shocked when we pulled up to this huge house with spotlights out front...
It felt like a fraternity party. There was a huge outside area with tables to sit at as well as ping pong tables and inside there was a big dance floor with a band. Oh yea, only Heineken beer was served. Of course it was a late night and I had to be up at 5am the next morning. I was definitely hurting when I got to work!
The USA men's basketball game was fun too. Some of the dunks were ridiculous!!
It felt like a fraternity party. There was a huge outside area with tables to sit at as well as ping pong tables and inside there was a big dance floor with a band. Oh yea, only Heineken beer was served. Of course it was a late night and I had to be up at 5am the next morning. I was definitely hurting when I got to work!
The USA men's basketball game was fun too. Some of the dunks were ridiculous!!
No Time for Sleep!!
Today has been one of the most exciting/exhausting day so far. I switched shifts at work so that I could go to the gold medal beach volleyball match this morning. It was pouring down rain but we bought ponchos and stood out in the rain and watched an incredible match. It was exactly the game I was hoping for... Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won in 2 sets but the match was close the whole time, plus they were playing a China team so I got to see first hand how crazy the fans are.
After that game I went home for a little nap before going to the gold medal softball game. One of the girls I work with knows some of the players on the team and their families so we actually sat with all of them during the game. It was fun and reminded me of high school softball with all the cheering and stuff. I am so use to sitting with the media that it was fun to be able to yell. The game was delayed for a little in 5th I believe because of the rain. Unfortuately the USA team didn't win gold.
And then I came straight to work and will be here until 4pm (that's a 19 hour work day). It was all worth it though... and now the late shift guys can have the night to go out!
After that game I went home for a little nap before going to the gold medal softball game. One of the girls I work with knows some of the players on the team and their families so we actually sat with all of them during the game. It was fun and reminded me of high school softball with all the cheering and stuff. I am so use to sitting with the media that it was fun to be able to yell. The game was delayed for a little in 5th I believe because of the rain. Unfortuately the USA team didn't win gold.
And then I came straight to work and will be here until 4pm (that's a 19 hour work day). It was all worth it though... and now the late shift guys can have the night to go out!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Michael (Phelps) Mania
I am sure you all were wondering where my Michael Phelps post was the moment the US won the 4x100 Medley Relay. Things were so crazy in here that I did not have a moment to do write.
First of all, we were assigned the job of putting together a comp real for Phelps. We included his every heat race, every final and every medal ceremony with announcer calls. Also we found every feature, profile and interview that NBC ran throughout this Beijing Olympics. It turned out to be a monster project... a 3 hour DVD that was given to him when he was in studio yesterday after his race.
But what an incredible day for everyone here... I don't know how many people are working for NBC in Beijing but the entire NBC compound stopped what they were doing, screaming at the top of their lungs and watching as Michael Phelps made history. The entire staff even camped out in the hallway waiting for him to come to the studio.
It was pretty amazing to have been a part of it!
First of all, we were assigned the job of putting together a comp real for Phelps. We included his every heat race, every final and every medal ceremony with announcer calls. Also we found every feature, profile and interview that NBC ran throughout this Beijing Olympics. It turned out to be a monster project... a 3 hour DVD that was given to him when he was in studio yesterday after his race.
But what an incredible day for everyone here... I don't know how many people are working for NBC in Beijing but the entire NBC compound stopped what they were doing, screaming at the top of their lungs and watching as Michael Phelps made history. The entire staff even camped out in the hallway waiting for him to come to the studio.
It was pretty amazing to have been a part of it!
Making the Rounds
Not so consistant with these posts lately... sorry!
But in the midst of the long hours I have been able to see a few events... Two days ago I caught the Men's 100m final. That race was unbelievable. Usain Bolt is so fast and he could have recorded an even faster time had he not celebrated before crossing the finish line.
Here's a picture from the end of the race. Right behind that black camera you can kind of see Bolt's head and feet and then the rest of the runners crossing the finish line.
Yesterday I went to gymnastics. I saw the Women's vault, the Men's pommel horse and Women's floor. I am so sad that Shawn didn't win the gold but at least she and Nastia both medaled. I just wanted to hear the National Anthem but oh well hopefully I will see a USA gold medal ceremony.
Not sure what I am doing tonight. I still want to see USA basketball, softball and beach volleyball if I can swing it all. Oh I went to the USA House the other night. It was pretty cool. Every country has a house where you can buy shirts and stuff and then party a little. Sometimes the atheletes are there!
But in the midst of the long hours I have been able to see a few events... Two days ago I caught the Men's 100m final. That race was unbelievable. Usain Bolt is so fast and he could have recorded an even faster time had he not celebrated before crossing the finish line.
Here's a picture from the end of the race. Right behind that black camera you can kind of see Bolt's head and feet and then the rest of the runners crossing the finish line.
Yesterday I went to gymnastics. I saw the Women's vault, the Men's pommel horse and Women's floor. I am so sad that Shawn didn't win the gold but at least she and Nastia both medaled. I just wanted to hear the National Anthem but oh well hopefully I will see a USA gold medal ceremony.
Not sure what I am doing tonight. I still want to see USA basketball, softball and beach volleyball if I can swing it all. Oh I went to the USA House the other night. It was pretty cool. Every country has a house where you can buy shirts and stuff and then party a little. Sometimes the atheletes are there!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Exploring China Pt 2
Well last night we finally went to the famous night market. I really didn't think I would be eating any scorpians, silk worms, snakes, whatever but I wanted to see it for myself. Mary Carillo said the scorpians didn't taste like anything especially since it was fried. I kind of thought maybe I would be daring but as soon as I got down there, I changed my mind quickly because the smell was so awful!! I really thought I was going to get sick without even eating anything. I was walking up and down the street holding my nose.
My friend tried the silk worm and scorpian. I somehow ended up with fried shrimp... even those were disqusting and normally I love shrimp but it must have been the sauce on it. I ran into Dan Steinberg down there... so random but you can check out more pictures on his blog.
Anyway... What a sight!?
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