Beijing Olympics

For the past two years I have told my students that I probably wouldn't go to the Olympics because it would be expensive and I'd rather be in America with my family than in a crowded Beijing. After I realized that I would be back in China for 2 days of the Olympics anyway I began to think that I might just try to go. As I watched the games in America I just couldn't see why I wouldn't try to experience such a time in China's history. I traveled to Beijing to see how much of the Olympics I could get a glimpse of.



Even the simplest of shops flew the national colors.


I had to walk to the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) because an event ticket was needed to take the last two stops on the subway which would take you into the Olympic Village. Surrounded by an intimidating fence this seemed to be the closest that I would get to the Stadiums.




About 50 feet from the entrance were several willing ticket sellers.


A women's Hand Ball ticket was my cheapest way into the Olympic Village and I was happy to have it.





I had watched this game once in America but understood only some of it. All I know is that these girls really beat on each other.


It turned out that I was watching the final two matches of the games. Norway won the gold medal.


After the matches were finished I wandered out into the square between the stadiums. Everybody was sporting their nation's colors.




There was an interview under way as I approached NBC's outdoor studio. Does anybody recognize this athlete? I didn't recognize her name when a guy told me.




I decided to get the most for my money and just hung out in the Olympic Village for the rest of the evening and took in the atmosphere and sights.




The next day's strategy was the same as the day before. As I approached the Bird's Nest I could only hope for the same amount of success.


I was told by a friendly Chinese man that this hotel was made to look like a dragon because in Chinese tradition if there is water somewhere then a dragon should be near it. Since the Water Cube was across the street the hotel was in a fitting place.



On this, the last day of the Olympics, I was able to get a ticket to the Men's Volleyball gold medal matches. Here the Russians defeated Italy.


The second and final game was between Brazil and the USA for the gold medal.


I was sitting near some fellow Americans and we tried to show our pride as boisterously as we could in the first two games! The key was getting the local crowd into the game and cheering for your side. The Brazilians did a much better job of this but after we took control in the second game I felt it would be pretty arrogant to be too outspoken. Otherwise I definitely would have made some sort of scene and got them going crazy for the USA!!! I was kinda hoping for the opportunity but our guys played awesome.














We found some gracious Brazilian fans who took a picture with us.


The grand finale for the closing ceremony. The whole city was blasting off fire works. This is from next to the Forbidden City looking towards Tiananmen Square.


This is a Beijing Street. Unbelievably huge!


The train ride back: 21 hours in a seat. The people around me were from Tibet and finishing up a 72 hour trip from home to Nanchang. Many people who can't get a seat just stand which is why the isle is never clear.


This is how you sleep when you have a seat or have to stand. I once took a 13 hour train standing. Never again! There were no bed tickets for any train out of Beijing to Nanchang for over a week. They were a great group of students to hang around.