Waking up only a few hours after going to sleep yesterday (was it yesterday?) was the easiest part of leaving China. The hardest might have been the goodbyes... to the country, the way of life, the Olympics... the people I've spent the last couple months with.
With some great help I made it to a taxi and said farewell to the south gate of CUC... the very gate I had climbed so many times. Drove past the popsicle man I came to love... and looked back at the subway station I cursed so many times... only to wish I wasn't leaving it all.
As soon as I found the note from Megan in my bag I lost it. I can't imagine not waking up in the 801... cracking the door open to see who else is already awake... and then going and bothering them, without even thinking twice. I know we're not dying... and the Beijing Summer08 reunion is already in the planning stages... but there's something about that mosquito infested dorm that you can't find anywhere else.
After sitting in the airport for hours and napping on the leathery recliners looking out over the runway (quite nice, actually) I looked around and realized I was the only white Westerner where I was sitting. I realized it would be the last time in a while that I would be that only one... again, almost lost it. I've never thought I would feel so at home somewhere so different. I never thought I'd feel so lost heading home... but then again, a year ago I never thought I would be in China at all.
Soon the others came filtering in... the Puerto Rican boxers, track and field athletes from Guyana, Canadian wrestlers... all of us wearing our Olympic accreditation still. Boarding the plane, I realized I could probably take mine off... though I didn't even want to. It seemed like the last little bit of Olympics I could cling to for a bit longer.
Several hours of drifting in and out of sleep and I was arriving at JFK. The first American flag I saw was outside the Port Authority building... I don't think I'll ever forget it. And as soon as I stepped off the plane and into an airport full of English signs and voices over the loudspeaker I knew it was real... no more China. Through customs I took the "US Citizens" line... strange... and was asked the series of "why are you trying to get back into this country" questions by Ryan the customs man. He asked if I had a good time, I said "the best." To which he said, "I'm going to do you one up today... you're getting a kiss going through customs." Before I could even process what he was saying, he smacked a Hershey's kiss on the counter and smiled. I laughed out loud... especially happy to have some English-interaction again.
While at JFK I met a great family who had their share of traveling too... I was talking to their young son who was marveling at the pins on my backpack. I told him I had even more pins in my bag and pulled out the panda pin I had gotten from my Newsweek photographer friend. The boy's eyes lit up as he told me that he and his sister LOVE pandas. His sister, who wasn't feeling well, perked up as soon as she heard the word panda. I fished around my bag for the Fu Wa panda keychain I had too and told them they could have them. Not only did I make these kids' days... but their parents gave me that silent "Thank you" and smiled. They were all fascinated with my trip to China and the Olympics... and I was so happy to just be able to talk to strangers again. I love human interaction... and although it happened occasionally in China, it was never a guarantee that I would be able to strike up a conversation with people I didn't know, just because of the language barrier.
And then it was home to Chicago... where it all seemed to real to be home.
Then the reverse culture-shock set in. I saw American money and freaked out. I felt scared riding in a car on a highway with semi trucks. I keep forgetting that I can flush toilet paper here. I looked for bottled water until I realized I can drink from the sink again. I washed my face with cold water... out of habit. I woke up after sleeping from 2am to 2pm today and immediately got on my computer to see who else was awake on Skype... only to remember that we're all in different places now. I'm still a little our of sorts, but it's staring to sink in that I'm back. Mom's food and my brother's hospitality (I shack up in his room on a futon when I'm home... spreading my stuff out everywhere... and he never minds) are helping me feel like I'm "home."
But even more than that, I feel like fall is always a crazy time for me... I always get wrapped up in all the changes that seem to take place this time of year. Being back in Lowell is even stranger than usual. It's been four years since I haven't had to be at Purdue right now. Crazy amounts of things are happening... coming home from China just brought it all to my attention.
And so here I am, at the end of a summer of adventures. I will miss everything about China... even the things that seemed so annoying. I'll answer "Xie xie" instead of "Thank you" for a while, I'm sure. I'll especially miss having my eyes opened to a new culture.
Thanks again to everyone who has kept up with my trip through this blog, it was a great experience to write it all down and I've really enjoyed sharing it. Believe me, I'm sad this is my last post... for this journey at least.
Thanks for the comments, the feedback and the e-mails regarding posts. It made my day whenever I saw that I had comments waiting.
Thanks also to the NWI Times for featuring our blogs on their Web page, and for featuring the three NWI bloggers in a print story as well (the grandparents are bringing it over so I can finally see it!).
Take care, all the best,
Zai jian,
Alysha
26.8.08
odds and the end.
Last night we got the whole group together for the last time. Early in the afternoon we began what would be a marathon journey to the northwest corner of Beijing. Tan, a Purdue alum, had invited us to her home (very very nice home) for a barbecue and to watch closing ceremonies. She roasted an entire sheep for us... no joke, I cut my meat from the loins of a sheep on a spit.
We enjoyed our last meal together, sharing it with someone who is a part of the Purdue family. We watched closing ceremonies with mixed emotions about the next day or so. And we headed out, one last time, into the streets of Sanlitun.
It wouldn't be a good "last night out together" if we didn't come home as the sun came up... and then wake up just a few hours later to start saying goodbyes.
The day moved in slow motion. The streets were so quiet. Hardly any Westerners were out. It was a perfect late summer day... and it felt like the people of Beijing were happy to have their city back. I was glad to have it too, for one last day.
I can't really even explain this feeling right now. For a lot of the people on this trip, they're headed back to Purdue and will get to see each other. For a few of us though, this is it. It's my last official moment as a Purdue student. I'm on the threshold of my post-college world. It's scary and wonderful; it's hard to break it all down into words even.
So now it's 2am, most of us are still awake... packing, trying to figure out how we feel about leaving, saying goodbyes. I have to be out the door in about six hours. And all I know is I'm waking everyone up to say goodbye once again. I feel like we shouldn't even sleep... or we should all pull our beds out into the hallway and all talk about the trip. Maybe that's a little childish, ha.
I guess I'll wrap up this scattered post and try to get a few hours of sleep. I'll be sure to get my act together a little bit and write up some great end of the trip reflections. It might take a day or two to decompress, but it will be great and glorious.
See you on the other side... of the Pacific, that is.
I was hoping to have a more focused "end of it all" post... but maybe this is more appropriate.
We enjoyed our last meal together, sharing it with someone who is a part of the Purdue family. We watched closing ceremonies with mixed emotions about the next day or so. And we headed out, one last time, into the streets of Sanlitun.
It wouldn't be a good "last night out together" if we didn't come home as the sun came up... and then wake up just a few hours later to start saying goodbyes.
The day moved in slow motion. The streets were so quiet. Hardly any Westerners were out. It was a perfect late summer day... and it felt like the people of Beijing were happy to have their city back. I was glad to have it too, for one last day.
I can't really even explain this feeling right now. For a lot of the people on this trip, they're headed back to Purdue and will get to see each other. For a few of us though, this is it. It's my last official moment as a Purdue student. I'm on the threshold of my post-college world. It's scary and wonderful; it's hard to break it all down into words even.
So now it's 2am, most of us are still awake... packing, trying to figure out how we feel about leaving, saying goodbyes. I have to be out the door in about six hours. And all I know is I'm waking everyone up to say goodbye once again. I feel like we shouldn't even sleep... or we should all pull our beds out into the hallway and all talk about the trip. Maybe that's a little childish, ha.
I guess I'll wrap up this scattered post and try to get a few hours of sleep. I'll be sure to get my act together a little bit and write up some great end of the trip reflections. It might take a day or two to decompress, but it will be great and glorious.
See you on the other side... of the Pacific, that is.
I was hoping to have a more focused "end of it all" post... but maybe this is more appropriate.
24.8.08
top 5s.
It's all coming to an end... only two days left. It seems only fitting to give a recap of some of my favorite moments and I am obviously going to do it in my favorite format of Top5 lists.
Top5 Things I Have Missed From Home
1. Dairy products. Milk and cheese especially.
2. Being able to run outside without getting sick from breathing in smog.
3. A shower where I have some say over what temperature it is. I'd love to have a non-ice-cold morning shower.
4. Text messages. Yeah. Call me silly and ridiculous, but what I'm really saying is that I just miss being able to communicate with everyone on a daily basis.
5. Mom.
Top5 Things I Will Miss About China
1. The friendliness of everyone. I'm not sure if it was because we were Americans, or if it was because we were Olympic Volunteers, but everyone was so happy and intrigued by us.
2. Being able to get lost in a city where I know about three phrases, and still make it home thanks to inventive communication and a smile.
3. Living at CUC with people I now consider to be great friends. I haven't lived in a communal living situation since freshman year, and had almost forgotten how fun and hilarious it is.
4. Every adventure to find something. Getting lost has never been so fun.
5. Conversations with Chinese friends, talking about differences together and suddenly finding similarities. (Like when I found another girl who knew just about everything there is to know about Sex&TheCity.) Makes the world feel a little smaller.
Top5 Things I Won't Miss About China
1. Riding the subway to and from work for an hour and a half. If you didn't get a seat, and you were on a non-air conditioned train... have fun spooning with all of sweaty China.
2. Smoggy air. I really do long for fresh air.
3. The unorganized, over abundance of people situations from work. It was a real challenge to be patient with problem-solving skills (or lack thereof) and constantly changing time schedules.
4. Feeling filthy all the time. No hot water in the shower, gross air and the lack of cleaning products (like PineSol and Clorox) made me always question how clean things (including myself) were.
5. Dead mosquito carcasses all over the walls of our room. I kill them and leave them... just to remind the others of what their fate could be.
Top5 Non-Chinese Restaurants
1. Luga's. This is by a landslide my number one favorite non-Chinese restaurant here. I know I've talked about it in my blog... but, honestly, you just have no idea. It changed my life.
2. Paul's. American food. Cheap. And enough room for our entire group. Plus, Paul is the coolest guy and hasn't missed a day of work in like three decades.
3. Donata's. This doesn't make the Top5 because of the food quality, but because of how many meals were enjoyed from this lovely little restaurant near campus. Food was pretty good... especially all those "Pasture Feeling" pizzas and shared club sandwiches... but I think the comfort of Donata's is what earns it a Top5 spot.
4. My popsicle man. Technically, because so many of my meals were popsicles, I will count him as a restaurant, but not a Chinese restaurant. Cheapest popsicles in the land. Conveniently located just outside the subway.
5. PB&J. This is also not a restaurant, but it may as well be. We made more PB&J sandwiches than ever. And even without milk, they've never tasted so good.
Top5 Incredible Olympic Moments I've Seen
1. Watching Usain Bolt break the Men's 100M world record. It was everything I could have ever imagined... camera flashes everywhere, people going crazy.
2. Being at BMX for the very first time it has been an Olympic event.
3. Watching opening ceremonies from a crowded street with thousands of other people.
4. Watching Michael Phelps dominate that pool... I don't care if I only got to see it on TV, he's a pretty remarkable machine.
5. Seeing Chris Hoy and the rest of the British team rock track cycling.
Top5 Hilarious Things About Work*
1. "Maybeee.....now you can have a rest?"
2. Absolutely refusing to eat the food... but getting the drinks and the banana.
3. "Now we can go to the Photopositions."
4. The day of the Mini-Olympics and all the games we played to pass the time on non-busy days.
5. All the communication barriers that, although they were difficult at times, it usually yielded something we could laugh at.
*I'm sorry, but unless you were there, these things might not make much sense. I can't ignore it though.
Top5 Room 801 Moments
1. The day Megan and I turned the TV volume all the way up, stood on our beds and sang the Star Spangled Banner during a medal ceremony... and then realized the cleaning ladies were standing in our doorway smiling and laughing.
2. Brownshower. Most specifically the recent brownshower where while Megan was screaming about the brownshower, I was screaming about a giant bug crawling around our room. Utter chaos.
3. Every morning and our "waking up" routine. If you ever come in here before we're ready to speak... be careful. We need our morning time.
4. Megan's late-night birthday note to me... telling me to have a great first day of work. It hangs on our wall as a memory (or, non-memory) of my birthday night/working the next day.
5. The 5gallon challenge. (See blog post for entire story.)
I think most important is this last one... I came on this trip to learn and experience. And I must say, it's been a wild ride. I can't decide if I'm ready to go home... and I can't decide if I want to stay here. It's a pretty charged moment for me, as I feel like I am really on the brink of something really big. I've had a trip that changed a lot in my world, and I'm ready to keep the momentum going.
Top5 Things I've Learned
1. No matter what you've seen or where you've been... or even where you haven't been... there is no way to compare what you've done before to what you're doing at the present moment. China blew my mind at how different my perceptions were compared to what I was actually experiencing. And even though I still don't have overarching statements about "What I think China is," I'd much rather have it this way. Think about if someone asked you what you think America is... you'd never be able to answer it, taking into account all of the different things and people there are. It's the same for anywhere, which sometimes gets overlooked. You can never compare an entire country or culture to anything else... everything is what it is, and at the present moment. The China I saw is not the one that you would see if you visited even a month after the Games ended. The China I saw is not the one you would see if you visited on business. The China I saw is certainly not the one you would see if you had visited ten years ago. Everything can only be taken for what it is at the exact moment you see it... and I rather like that.
2. Communicating with others is such a gift. You might never realize how personal, how intricate communicating with other people is unless you try to communicate with a language barrier. I know before I came here I valued interpersonal communication for sure. But now I see it as this brilliant interaction... something I could get emotional over... because of how truly remarkable it is to connect with someone else, especially when you are working with two different languages. It's amazing how I've had short conversations where neither party knew the language of the other, yet the communication was there... I didn't need to hear that we understood each other, I could feel it. I've learned to express what I'm really trying to say in the clearest way possible. I've learned why people get frustrated (mostly because I got frustrated so much myself) over language barriers, but how breaking down those barriers can be so rewarding. Mostly, I've learned that everything I learned through college wasn't as common sense as I thought, and can really see how it is applied after this experience.
3. I'm a tumbleweed. I've learned I should never plan too far ahead because chances are I will change my mind about what I want to do. Before this trip, I planned on moving to Chicago, getting a job and starting from there. Now all I want to do is travel the world and be an anthropologist... learn six languages... live minimally... take pictures... write books. I just have a thirst for experience... which I've always had, but this trip really kicked it in the pants. I'm ready to start pursuing some of those dreams and goals. This hasn't shattered my plans... I'm still moving to Chicago and getting a job... but I'm trying to squeeze another adventure in before that happens. And I am for sure planning my next great journey because I feel more alive seeing the world and different cultures and people than I do anywhere else I think. I can't get enough, so why would I stop myself?
4. The world is so much smaller than we think it is. I've met people from every corner of the world. I've hung out with friends from home IN BEIJING. I've had conversations with people from an entirely different culture and been able to see things in common. Granted, I was here for a global event and the atmosphere was very international, but all the same, we were brought together for a common cause. People here know about America more than I know about China... and that makes me wonder why that is the case. I promise after leaving China I will read more international news... and really figure out where things are happening and how it affects the world, rather than just acknowledge it. I want a greater understanding of how the rest of the world functions with the US, not just how the US works on its own (which is so often the viewpoint we are presented with). So many people from around the world are working with and in other countries... and that trend isn't going to reverse itself. I looked around at the people here for Olympic events... so many people have international careers for things you would never expect (example: BMX racing). I'm really ready to start building some skills (namely, learning more languages) that will help me get into this worldly group of people, because I really think they've got the right idea.
5. Patience really is a virtue. Patience with others, patience with changing plans, patience with everything. I would have never survived without sharpening my skills a little bit. And yes, we did have to blow off some steam, but it only helped us realize that we were growing and learning how to be more understanding in a lot of situations. So many times I just wanted to jump into a situation and try and do it how I thought would work best... but it is at those moments when I would step back and think, if this country of billions of people is making it work (because really, they are a global force), maybe I'll learn something if I watch and take it all in. I know the situations I was in are really small scale and aren't much compared to an entire country's economy and political decisions, but in a small way it is the same. This country is making it work... so why would we try to force a different idea upon them just because we think it will work better? I think we can apply this idea to a lot of global situations where one country thinks it sees a way to make another "better" and then ends up disrupting the entire balance of that culture. Just be patient, take a look, realize that whatever is going on is working the way it is for a reason.
As with any great experience, it's seemed too long at times and too short at others. This really was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, and I'm glad I didn't. I'm also pretty sad that this blog is winding down. I've really enjoyed all of the comments, and am flattered that reading this has become part of some of your daily routines. I hope that it's provided a good window into what I'm experiencing here and I'll be a little lost in a few days when I don't get to blog about the crazy cultural daily adventures I have. I promise to do my best to make these last few days worth reading.
Top5 Things I Have Missed From Home
1. Dairy products. Milk and cheese especially.
2. Being able to run outside without getting sick from breathing in smog.
3. A shower where I have some say over what temperature it is. I'd love to have a non-ice-cold morning shower.
4. Text messages. Yeah. Call me silly and ridiculous, but what I'm really saying is that I just miss being able to communicate with everyone on a daily basis.
5. Mom.
Top5 Things I Will Miss About China
1. The friendliness of everyone. I'm not sure if it was because we were Americans, or if it was because we were Olympic Volunteers, but everyone was so happy and intrigued by us.
2. Being able to get lost in a city where I know about three phrases, and still make it home thanks to inventive communication and a smile.
3. Living at CUC with people I now consider to be great friends. I haven't lived in a communal living situation since freshman year, and had almost forgotten how fun and hilarious it is.
4. Every adventure to find something. Getting lost has never been so fun.
5. Conversations with Chinese friends, talking about differences together and suddenly finding similarities. (Like when I found another girl who knew just about everything there is to know about Sex&TheCity.) Makes the world feel a little smaller.
Top5 Things I Won't Miss About China
1. Riding the subway to and from work for an hour and a half. If you didn't get a seat, and you were on a non-air conditioned train... have fun spooning with all of sweaty China.
2. Smoggy air. I really do long for fresh air.
3. The unorganized, over abundance of people situations from work. It was a real challenge to be patient with problem-solving skills (or lack thereof) and constantly changing time schedules.
4. Feeling filthy all the time. No hot water in the shower, gross air and the lack of cleaning products (like PineSol and Clorox) made me always question how clean things (including myself) were.
5. Dead mosquito carcasses all over the walls of our room. I kill them and leave them... just to remind the others of what their fate could be.
Top5 Non-Chinese Restaurants
1. Luga's. This is by a landslide my number one favorite non-Chinese restaurant here. I know I've talked about it in my blog... but, honestly, you just have no idea. It changed my life.
2. Paul's. American food. Cheap. And enough room for our entire group. Plus, Paul is the coolest guy and hasn't missed a day of work in like three decades.
3. Donata's. This doesn't make the Top5 because of the food quality, but because of how many meals were enjoyed from this lovely little restaurant near campus. Food was pretty good... especially all those "Pasture Feeling" pizzas and shared club sandwiches... but I think the comfort of Donata's is what earns it a Top5 spot.
4. My popsicle man. Technically, because so many of my meals were popsicles, I will count him as a restaurant, but not a Chinese restaurant. Cheapest popsicles in the land. Conveniently located just outside the subway.
5. PB&J. This is also not a restaurant, but it may as well be. We made more PB&J sandwiches than ever. And even without milk, they've never tasted so good.
Top5 Incredible Olympic Moments I've Seen
1. Watching Usain Bolt break the Men's 100M world record. It was everything I could have ever imagined... camera flashes everywhere, people going crazy.
2. Being at BMX for the very first time it has been an Olympic event.
3. Watching opening ceremonies from a crowded street with thousands of other people.
4. Watching Michael Phelps dominate that pool... I don't care if I only got to see it on TV, he's a pretty remarkable machine.
5. Seeing Chris Hoy and the rest of the British team rock track cycling.
Top5 Hilarious Things About Work*
1. "Maybeee.....now you can have a rest?"
2. Absolutely refusing to eat the food... but getting the drinks and the banana.
3. "Now we can go to the Photopositions."
4. The day of the Mini-Olympics and all the games we played to pass the time on non-busy days.
5. All the communication barriers that, although they were difficult at times, it usually yielded something we could laugh at.
*I'm sorry, but unless you were there, these things might not make much sense. I can't ignore it though.
Top5 Room 801 Moments
1. The day Megan and I turned the TV volume all the way up, stood on our beds and sang the Star Spangled Banner during a medal ceremony... and then realized the cleaning ladies were standing in our doorway smiling and laughing.
2. Brownshower. Most specifically the recent brownshower where while Megan was screaming about the brownshower, I was screaming about a giant bug crawling around our room. Utter chaos.
3. Every morning and our "waking up" routine. If you ever come in here before we're ready to speak... be careful. We need our morning time.
4. Megan's late-night birthday note to me... telling me to have a great first day of work. It hangs on our wall as a memory (or, non-memory) of my birthday night/working the next day.
5. The 5gallon challenge. (See blog post for entire story.)
I think most important is this last one... I came on this trip to learn and experience. And I must say, it's been a wild ride. I can't decide if I'm ready to go home... and I can't decide if I want to stay here. It's a pretty charged moment for me, as I feel like I am really on the brink of something really big. I've had a trip that changed a lot in my world, and I'm ready to keep the momentum going.
Top5 Things I've Learned
1. No matter what you've seen or where you've been... or even where you haven't been... there is no way to compare what you've done before to what you're doing at the present moment. China blew my mind at how different my perceptions were compared to what I was actually experiencing. And even though I still don't have overarching statements about "What I think China is," I'd much rather have it this way. Think about if someone asked you what you think America is... you'd never be able to answer it, taking into account all of the different things and people there are. It's the same for anywhere, which sometimes gets overlooked. You can never compare an entire country or culture to anything else... everything is what it is, and at the present moment. The China I saw is not the one that you would see if you visited even a month after the Games ended. The China I saw is not the one you would see if you visited on business. The China I saw is certainly not the one you would see if you had visited ten years ago. Everything can only be taken for what it is at the exact moment you see it... and I rather like that.
2. Communicating with others is such a gift. You might never realize how personal, how intricate communicating with other people is unless you try to communicate with a language barrier. I know before I came here I valued interpersonal communication for sure. But now I see it as this brilliant interaction... something I could get emotional over... because of how truly remarkable it is to connect with someone else, especially when you are working with two different languages. It's amazing how I've had short conversations where neither party knew the language of the other, yet the communication was there... I didn't need to hear that we understood each other, I could feel it. I've learned to express what I'm really trying to say in the clearest way possible. I've learned why people get frustrated (mostly because I got frustrated so much myself) over language barriers, but how breaking down those barriers can be so rewarding. Mostly, I've learned that everything I learned through college wasn't as common sense as I thought, and can really see how it is applied after this experience.
3. I'm a tumbleweed. I've learned I should never plan too far ahead because chances are I will change my mind about what I want to do. Before this trip, I planned on moving to Chicago, getting a job and starting from there. Now all I want to do is travel the world and be an anthropologist... learn six languages... live minimally... take pictures... write books. I just have a thirst for experience... which I've always had, but this trip really kicked it in the pants. I'm ready to start pursuing some of those dreams and goals. This hasn't shattered my plans... I'm still moving to Chicago and getting a job... but I'm trying to squeeze another adventure in before that happens. And I am for sure planning my next great journey because I feel more alive seeing the world and different cultures and people than I do anywhere else I think. I can't get enough, so why would I stop myself?
4. The world is so much smaller than we think it is. I've met people from every corner of the world. I've hung out with friends from home IN BEIJING. I've had conversations with people from an entirely different culture and been able to see things in common. Granted, I was here for a global event and the atmosphere was very international, but all the same, we were brought together for a common cause. People here know about America more than I know about China... and that makes me wonder why that is the case. I promise after leaving China I will read more international news... and really figure out where things are happening and how it affects the world, rather than just acknowledge it. I want a greater understanding of how the rest of the world functions with the US, not just how the US works on its own (which is so often the viewpoint we are presented with). So many people from around the world are working with and in other countries... and that trend isn't going to reverse itself. I looked around at the people here for Olympic events... so many people have international careers for things you would never expect (example: BMX racing). I'm really ready to start building some skills (namely, learning more languages) that will help me get into this worldly group of people, because I really think they've got the right idea.
5. Patience really is a virtue. Patience with others, patience with changing plans, patience with everything. I would have never survived without sharpening my skills a little bit. And yes, we did have to blow off some steam, but it only helped us realize that we were growing and learning how to be more understanding in a lot of situations. So many times I just wanted to jump into a situation and try and do it how I thought would work best... but it is at those moments when I would step back and think, if this country of billions of people is making it work (because really, they are a global force), maybe I'll learn something if I watch and take it all in. I know the situations I was in are really small scale and aren't much compared to an entire country's economy and political decisions, but in a small way it is the same. This country is making it work... so why would we try to force a different idea upon them just because we think it will work better? I think we can apply this idea to a lot of global situations where one country thinks it sees a way to make another "better" and then ends up disrupting the entire balance of that culture. Just be patient, take a look, realize that whatever is going on is working the way it is for a reason.
As with any great experience, it's seemed too long at times and too short at others. This really was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, and I'm glad I didn't. I'm also pretty sad that this blog is winding down. I've really enjoyed all of the comments, and am flattered that reading this has become part of some of your daily routines. I hope that it's provided a good window into what I'm experiencing here and I'll be a little lost in a few days when I don't get to blog about the crazy cultural daily adventures I have. I promise to do my best to make these last few days worth reading.
22.8.08
bmx: day II.
After the rain yesterday, BMX was rescheduled for today, a beautiful and very sunny blue sky day. I was back at my previous photo position, though some changes were made... an area was now roped off just for photographers.
The good part of this: now photogs have space all to themselves; they don't have to jockey for space with everyone else allowed in this area. The bad news: I have to do some serious convincing to keep them in their cage, which is much smaller than the area they had to work with the other day. It is also much hotter and there are about three times the photogs out since today were final races.
My usual photographer friends head up and say goodmorning and start filling in the too small space we now have to work with. As more and more keep coming to this position (which they now know to be one of the coveted photo angles), I have to keep them calm and explain that yes, we now are confined in a roped off area and they can not leave that area or I will put them in time out. This works fine for the guys (and girl today) who get there early enough to stake a claim in the precious territory, but as more stragglers fill in, things get hectic.
I have already "modified" the barrier ropes to give them a little more space without encroaching too much into the athletes' zone. This seems to satisfy some of them. I also obtain some cold water and pass it out... keeping the peace. Additionally, I construct a sort of "gear check" area for them out of the way so they aren't tripping over their backpacks in the roped off area.
Then I meet the difficult photographer... he's standing outside the ropes, and is really pushing the limits on how far he is going into the athletes' area.
Me: Excuse me, sir, can I ask you to stand inside the ropes please?
Photog: There's no room in there. I'll stand right here.
Me: I'm sorry, I can't have you blocking that gate into the track. We need the area clear.
Photog: Believe me, if someone needs to get through, I'll be the first to move.
Me: Sir, I can't have you stand here. All photographers must stay inside the designated area.
Photog: Well, I'm just going to stand here next to this guy. If he can stand here, I can.
Me: He's designated as someone who can be in the athletes' zone. Photographers can not stand out here. I understand the area is crowded, there's nothing I can do about that.
Photog: (moving to the other side of the position) What is this empty platform? Why can't we stand up there?
Me: That's the BOB platform. It's only for the TV cameras.
Photog: The camera is all the way at the other end, can we use this side?
Me: Sorry, sir, you can't. The camera rolls back and forth, using the entire platform.
Photog: Can we at least climb on the railing behind the platform?
Me: No, that shakes the platform, and the TV camera. The only place photographers can stand is within these boundaries.
At this point, all of the other well-behaved photographers are giving me grins and looking at me out the corners of their eyes. They know they've been in that guy's position before... wanting a better position to get a better view. They also know that I've been busting my photo staff vest all morning trying to give them everything they've asked for to make their job a little easier.
The difficult photographer moves, a bit unwillingly, into the photo area. I extend the barriers some more and help him check his gear in my makeshift gear area. I apologize again for the conditions, and thank him for moving.
Two minutes later...
Photog: (turns around from where he is now standing inside my photo ropes) Hey you know, they were smart to put good English-speakers over here. You're tougher to boss around than those Chinese guys. (Smiles)
Me: Actually, that's exactly what they were doing.
Photog: (extends hand to shake) What's your name?
And so from there I felt like I had just survived a job interview. He turned out to be a really nice guy from Portland... and commended me on my ability to hold my ground regarding my super exclusive photo position.
Several other photographers, despite how crowded and hot it was, told me I was doing a great job keeping the mood positive and making sure everyone was getting what they needed (and getting along with each other). As it turns out, being a photo assistant is sort of a combination of negotiator, enforcer and elementary school teacher. It's simple stuff really, as long as you can communicate clearly and stick to your guns. No, you will not climb on my railings. No, you can not open the gate and walk onto the course. No, you will not be mean to each other. Or I'll take away all of your recesses.
Oh and today I reached a new level... "Sir, please get off that athlete's bike. You are not allowed to be riding it, nor are you allowed to be over here."
Not even kidding, this guy is, in the nicest terms, a pain in the ass. He made just about every photo assistant and manager upset the other day, and today I caught him riding around the athletes' prep area on a bike! His story is that he's an Italian journalist who somehow also got photo accreditation... and the right to make our lives miserable. He wouldn't listen to me; insisting that he needed to deliver this bike to the athlete and rode away. Why didn't the seven workers posted at the security check for this area stop him as he rode around? Why didn't the manager also standing there not seem to care when I told him the situation that this guy did not have clearance into the athletes' area? Because they couldn't be assertive enough; nor did they even understand what I was saying. Their only job was to make sure everyone that passed by them had the number 2 on their accreditation. This photographer only had a 4. Somewhere things got lost in translation and now I've got a photog riding an Italian athlete's bike around.
I let it go. There was nothing I could do. It wasn't my job to make the Chinese volunteers do theirs. But it was upsetting that even a manager didn't seem to care, especially after I explained the situation and asked him to do something about it.
Even though I was busy, I still managed to watch some races... especially the finals. USA took bronze in Women's, silver and bronze in Men's (a crazy wipeout in the second turn mixed things up a bit... taking out a couple guys who were in the running for top three and allowing the Latvian guy to take over and go for gold). But once again, as soon as the races were over, it was back to making room for the photographers to shoot the medal ceremony (this involved asking about 12 volunteers to put away their cameras and move so that people who were supposed to be taking pictures from those areas could do their jobs... I know, I'm abrasive, but you'd have to be here to understand what it's like to feel as though you are the only one concerned about keeping things organized).
This also involved a bit of American pride on my part when the volunteers wouldn't let Mike Day's family through to the medal ceremony. The volunteers gave their standard answers of "I'm sorry, you can not go through here. Please wait a moment until after the ceremony." I heard this followed by Mr. Day telling them that they were the athlete's parents. At this point, I'm ready to help an athlete's family see their kid accept a medal more than I am willing to help this volunteer block an entry.
With some firmness and some smiles, the volunteers understand that the family needs to get though, and let's them. They all said thanks and ran to greet their son/brother/boyfriend. A few other Team USA affiliates saw what I did too and smiled and said thanks. Not going to lie, it felt good to not only help a family, but to make the rules work how I wanted them to. There was no reason they shouldn't have been let through. Later, in the elevator the sister/girlfriend saw me and said, "Hey, that's the girl that got us through!" The entire Day family thanked me again and again, and I congratulated them on their good day.
Honestly, if you're not willing to be flexible and bend the rules for justified reasons, you're just going to make things difficult for everyone. I made the Day's day (ha) just by reasoning with some other volunteers. Everyone was happy in the end... and it all worked out. Isn't that what managing events like this is all about? I've said it before, but my trip here was less about working for the Olympics specifically as it was about learning how a major event like this is organized and managed. I've learned a lot about that as well as cultural communication. I'd say those are two pretty valuable skills, best learned in real-life situations.
Even better than having photographers thank me for keeping things under control today was when my bosses told me the same thing. I think they realized that BMX was far less organized than track cycling (after all, it was the first year) and were happy that I was willing to be assertive with some feisty photogs.
I even saw Oliviea (the UCI head honcho) after the races. He came over to say hello and ask what I thought. I congratulated him on the first year of Olympic BMX running about as smooth as anyone could ask for, and told him I had a great time being there. I really hope that BMX gets picked up for the next games... the venue was so fun, with so much energy... everyone was so sportsmanlike and really looking out for each other... things that I think are important in the next wave of Olympics.
We've had a lot of discussion this trip about the sports in the Games... what we think are "sports," what we think involves true "athletic" ability, thoughts on venues and spectators and what the Olympics have really become. Our group agreed, almost without question, that BMX is a good addition to the Games. We hope it sticks.
If it does, I'll be able to say I was at the very first running of Olympic BMX ever. If it doesn't, it won't change the fact that I had such a great two days working the venue. Mountain bike is tomorrow, our last day of work. Let's make it good.
The good part of this: now photogs have space all to themselves; they don't have to jockey for space with everyone else allowed in this area. The bad news: I have to do some serious convincing to keep them in their cage, which is much smaller than the area they had to work with the other day. It is also much hotter and there are about three times the photogs out since today were final races.
My usual photographer friends head up and say goodmorning and start filling in the too small space we now have to work with. As more and more keep coming to this position (which they now know to be one of the coveted photo angles), I have to keep them calm and explain that yes, we now are confined in a roped off area and they can not leave that area or I will put them in time out. This works fine for the guys (and girl today) who get there early enough to stake a claim in the precious territory, but as more stragglers fill in, things get hectic.
I have already "modified" the barrier ropes to give them a little more space without encroaching too much into the athletes' zone. This seems to satisfy some of them. I also obtain some cold water and pass it out... keeping the peace. Additionally, I construct a sort of "gear check" area for them out of the way so they aren't tripping over their backpacks in the roped off area.
Then I meet the difficult photographer... he's standing outside the ropes, and is really pushing the limits on how far he is going into the athletes' area.
Me: Excuse me, sir, can I ask you to stand inside the ropes please?
Photog: There's no room in there. I'll stand right here.
Me: I'm sorry, I can't have you blocking that gate into the track. We need the area clear.
Photog: Believe me, if someone needs to get through, I'll be the first to move.
Me: Sir, I can't have you stand here. All photographers must stay inside the designated area.
Photog: Well, I'm just going to stand here next to this guy. If he can stand here, I can.
Me: He's designated as someone who can be in the athletes' zone. Photographers can not stand out here. I understand the area is crowded, there's nothing I can do about that.
Photog: (moving to the other side of the position) What is this empty platform? Why can't we stand up there?
Me: That's the BOB platform. It's only for the TV cameras.
Photog: The camera is all the way at the other end, can we use this side?
Me: Sorry, sir, you can't. The camera rolls back and forth, using the entire platform.
Photog: Can we at least climb on the railing behind the platform?
Me: No, that shakes the platform, and the TV camera. The only place photographers can stand is within these boundaries.
At this point, all of the other well-behaved photographers are giving me grins and looking at me out the corners of their eyes. They know they've been in that guy's position before... wanting a better position to get a better view. They also know that I've been busting my photo staff vest all morning trying to give them everything they've asked for to make their job a little easier.
The difficult photographer moves, a bit unwillingly, into the photo area. I extend the barriers some more and help him check his gear in my makeshift gear area. I apologize again for the conditions, and thank him for moving.
Two minutes later...
Photog: (turns around from where he is now standing inside my photo ropes) Hey you know, they were smart to put good English-speakers over here. You're tougher to boss around than those Chinese guys. (Smiles)
Me: Actually, that's exactly what they were doing.
Photog: (extends hand to shake) What's your name?
And so from there I felt like I had just survived a job interview. He turned out to be a really nice guy from Portland... and commended me on my ability to hold my ground regarding my super exclusive photo position.
Several other photographers, despite how crowded and hot it was, told me I was doing a great job keeping the mood positive and making sure everyone was getting what they needed (and getting along with each other). As it turns out, being a photo assistant is sort of a combination of negotiator, enforcer and elementary school teacher. It's simple stuff really, as long as you can communicate clearly and stick to your guns. No, you will not climb on my railings. No, you can not open the gate and walk onto the course. No, you will not be mean to each other. Or I'll take away all of your recesses.
Oh and today I reached a new level... "Sir, please get off that athlete's bike. You are not allowed to be riding it, nor are you allowed to be over here."
Not even kidding, this guy is, in the nicest terms, a pain in the ass. He made just about every photo assistant and manager upset the other day, and today I caught him riding around the athletes' prep area on a bike! His story is that he's an Italian journalist who somehow also got photo accreditation... and the right to make our lives miserable. He wouldn't listen to me; insisting that he needed to deliver this bike to the athlete and rode away. Why didn't the seven workers posted at the security check for this area stop him as he rode around? Why didn't the manager also standing there not seem to care when I told him the situation that this guy did not have clearance into the athletes' area? Because they couldn't be assertive enough; nor did they even understand what I was saying. Their only job was to make sure everyone that passed by them had the number 2 on their accreditation. This photographer only had a 4. Somewhere things got lost in translation and now I've got a photog riding an Italian athlete's bike around.
I let it go. There was nothing I could do. It wasn't my job to make the Chinese volunteers do theirs. But it was upsetting that even a manager didn't seem to care, especially after I explained the situation and asked him to do something about it.
Even though I was busy, I still managed to watch some races... especially the finals. USA took bronze in Women's, silver and bronze in Men's (a crazy wipeout in the second turn mixed things up a bit... taking out a couple guys who were in the running for top three and allowing the Latvian guy to take over and go for gold). But once again, as soon as the races were over, it was back to making room for the photographers to shoot the medal ceremony (this involved asking about 12 volunteers to put away their cameras and move so that people who were supposed to be taking pictures from those areas could do their jobs... I know, I'm abrasive, but you'd have to be here to understand what it's like to feel as though you are the only one concerned about keeping things organized).
This also involved a bit of American pride on my part when the volunteers wouldn't let Mike Day's family through to the medal ceremony. The volunteers gave their standard answers of "I'm sorry, you can not go through here. Please wait a moment until after the ceremony." I heard this followed by Mr. Day telling them that they were the athlete's parents. At this point, I'm ready to help an athlete's family see their kid accept a medal more than I am willing to help this volunteer block an entry.
With some firmness and some smiles, the volunteers understand that the family needs to get though, and let's them. They all said thanks and ran to greet their son/brother/boyfriend. A few other Team USA affiliates saw what I did too and smiled and said thanks. Not going to lie, it felt good to not only help a family, but to make the rules work how I wanted them to. There was no reason they shouldn't have been let through. Later, in the elevator the sister/girlfriend saw me and said, "Hey, that's the girl that got us through!" The entire Day family thanked me again and again, and I congratulated them on their good day.
Honestly, if you're not willing to be flexible and bend the rules for justified reasons, you're just going to make things difficult for everyone. I made the Day's day (ha) just by reasoning with some other volunteers. Everyone was happy in the end... and it all worked out. Isn't that what managing events like this is all about? I've said it before, but my trip here was less about working for the Olympics specifically as it was about learning how a major event like this is organized and managed. I've learned a lot about that as well as cultural communication. I'd say those are two pretty valuable skills, best learned in real-life situations.
Even better than having photographers thank me for keeping things under control today was when my bosses told me the same thing. I think they realized that BMX was far less organized than track cycling (after all, it was the first year) and were happy that I was willing to be assertive with some feisty photogs.
I even saw Oliviea (the UCI head honcho) after the races. He came over to say hello and ask what I thought. I congratulated him on the first year of Olympic BMX running about as smooth as anyone could ask for, and told him I had a great time being there. I really hope that BMX gets picked up for the next games... the venue was so fun, with so much energy... everyone was so sportsmanlike and really looking out for each other... things that I think are important in the next wave of Olympics.
We've had a lot of discussion this trip about the sports in the Games... what we think are "sports," what we think involves true "athletic" ability, thoughts on venues and spectators and what the Olympics have really become. Our group agreed, almost without question, that BMX is a good addition to the Games. We hope it sticks.
If it does, I'll be able to say I was at the very first running of Olympic BMX ever. If it doesn't, it won't change the fact that I had such a great two days working the venue. Mountain bike is tomorrow, our last day of work. Let's make it good.
rained out. no problem.
Welcome to monsoon season. Welcome to taking the hour and a half trip to work at 7am, only to get there to hear the BMX events for the day have been canceled due to rain.
We didn't mind though. It's kinda like getting up and getting all ready to go to school and finding out there is a snow day. We decided breakfast at Paul's was just what we needed. I agreed with an omelet, toast and home fries.
It rained all day and I had no problem with just hanging out in my bed (which I now refer to as "my office" because I drag this little table over to my bed and use my computer from there... the air conditioner floods my desk and I don't want my computer to get caught up in that mess).
I took a crazy good nap and then alternated between looking for places to apply for jobs and travel Web sites. I've begun making my trade-marked Pros/Cons list for just about every aspect of my future, and I must say it is going well.
Honestly I didn't do much at all yesterday because of how tired I was (I got wrapped up in looking for jobs and couldn't sleep the night before). It was quite nice though. Eventually the rain subsided and people dispersed. Some people had purchased tickets to Softball and Women's Soccer, so they went out and about.
A few others (including me) had tickets into Club Bud (the Budweiser sponsored hospitality club for athletes, Beijingers and visitors like myself). It's a well-established Olympic tradition that there are hospitality clubs like this... and we wanted to check it out. Basically, it's a giant party with lots of free Budweiser, lots of athletes and lots of foreigners. The club had all kinds of areas... dance floors, places to watch ongoing events on big screen TVs, lounges and this huge outdoor patio with tents, a pool (no swimming, please) and these sweet little round couches with canopies over them. Red lanterns were strung up everywhere and there was a huge dance floor that mostly held people gathering to talk. We definitely went for the outdoor area (you know my affinity for rooftops) and snagged a round couch.
We didn't stay all night (nor do I want you to get the impression that we were crazy wild kids... we sure weren't), but we did enjoy the people watching from the comfort of our outdoor cabana tent. I love watching people from all corners of the world mixing together... the free beer was obviously helping them along, but still, people are fun to watch.
Since we had to work early again, we cut our low-key night on the town short and headed back to CUC, satisfied that we had experienced the "Olympic party scene," if you will.
We didn't mind though. It's kinda like getting up and getting all ready to go to school and finding out there is a snow day. We decided breakfast at Paul's was just what we needed. I agreed with an omelet, toast and home fries.
It rained all day and I had no problem with just hanging out in my bed (which I now refer to as "my office" because I drag this little table over to my bed and use my computer from there... the air conditioner floods my desk and I don't want my computer to get caught up in that mess).
I took a crazy good nap and then alternated between looking for places to apply for jobs and travel Web sites. I've begun making my trade-marked Pros/Cons list for just about every aspect of my future, and I must say it is going well.
Honestly I didn't do much at all yesterday because of how tired I was (I got wrapped up in looking for jobs and couldn't sleep the night before). It was quite nice though. Eventually the rain subsided and people dispersed. Some people had purchased tickets to Softball and Women's Soccer, so they went out and about.
A few others (including me) had tickets into Club Bud (the Budweiser sponsored hospitality club for athletes, Beijingers and visitors like myself). It's a well-established Olympic tradition that there are hospitality clubs like this... and we wanted to check it out. Basically, it's a giant party with lots of free Budweiser, lots of athletes and lots of foreigners. The club had all kinds of areas... dance floors, places to watch ongoing events on big screen TVs, lounges and this huge outdoor patio with tents, a pool (no swimming, please) and these sweet little round couches with canopies over them. Red lanterns were strung up everywhere and there was a huge dance floor that mostly held people gathering to talk. We definitely went for the outdoor area (you know my affinity for rooftops) and snagged a round couch.
We didn't stay all night (nor do I want you to get the impression that we were crazy wild kids... we sure weren't), but we did enjoy the people watching from the comfort of our outdoor cabana tent. I love watching people from all corners of the world mixing together... the free beer was obviously helping them along, but still, people are fun to watch.
Since we had to work early again, we cut our low-key night on the town short and headed back to CUC, satisfied that we had experienced the "Olympic party scene," if you will.
bmx: day I.
Walking around the BMX venue, all you heard was, "Ready to make history?".... "Let's make history."... "This is history, guys!"
And it was. The very first time BMX has had a place at the Olympics. From what I have heard (and I mean this the way people say things like, "Well I heard that..." or "They said...", where the "heard" is rather unreliable and "they" are some ambiguous group of proclaimed experts), the Olympic Games are looking to attract attention for more young people, thus the inclusion of BMX as a step in this direction. Whatever the reasoning, it was obviously a big day out at Laoshan.
My designated photo position (the location I manage, keeping the photogs under control) was the second turn of the course. The difference with this photo position and the others is that this one is where athletes, coaches and other people affiliated with the teams can roam around... including where the riders ride their bikes through after their race. It's a pretty busy area, and it was popular with the photographers because just before that second turn is where the men have the big jump... great for in-air action shots. As you can imagine, being the photo police in this area is a little different than just telling them where to stand.
The other problem is that there was no specific area for photographers only, which meant that coaches and team members could be taking up space that photogs wanted and vice versa. Really there wasn't much I could do since everyone could be in this space. I just let it all happen, and everyone seemed to be okay.
But thanks to the mixed bag of people hanging out in this area I was not only inches (sometimes not even that) away from the BMX riders (which, btw, and I'm not just saying this, are so cool... more on that later), but I was around all kinds of people. I met the guy with Team USA who travels to cities before the games to arrange lodging and logistics for the team. I met the guys who design and build the start gate mechanics for every BMX course in the world. I met the UCI head honcho. I met the guy who actually oversaw and was the boss of the physical course (building it, maintaining it, etc.) and for most other BMX courses around the world... if you saw someone out in the middle of the track hosing it down or sweeping it off between races, that was Tom.
And Tom, being the cool guy that he is, saw me without a hat on this sunny day... to which I responded that girls didn't get baseball caps, and I'd rather go without than wear a bucket hat... to which he jumped up and ran to get his own hat. He tossed it to me, saying it was too small for him anyway, and now I could make everyone jealous (his hat, because he is an "official official," is grey... managers get red, we low-end-of-the-totem-pole volunteers get blue), which is exactly what is happening.
Person asking where I got my grey hat: So, um, how did you manage to score an official's hat?
Alysha GreyHatWearing Daytner: Oh, I'm friends with the guy who built the course. It's cool.
Hanging out with these cool people in my corner of the photo position world was also great because these VIPs have access to things like blue Powerade. It is key to make friends with those who have the blue Powerade.
It was a pretty great day overall, minus the problems of other volunteers and mangers thinking I wasn't supposed to be standing where I was. I responded by showing them my credentials... including maps of the venue showing where photo positions are... about five times. That is how many times I got questioned, despite my photo vest, uniform and accreditation. The photogs laughed every time someone came over to me to tell me I wasn't supposed to be there. They got a real kick out of it.
See, it wouldn't really bother me so much if one of those times I got reprimanded for leaning on a railing, being told that it wasn't good for the "Volunteers' Image." Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Not good for the image? First of all, I was up by the railing because there was about a six-foot wide area that the photographers had to share with cyclists riding up from races, as well as all of the people that are in the entourage of the athletes. Stepping back only puts me in the way of all those people. Secondly, allow me to discuss how the other volunteers who were supposed to be helping me were leaning against a wall in the shade with their eyes closed. Maybe I'm just more aggressive... or maybe (and here's a crazy thought) I'm actually doing my job, which is to interact with and manage the photographers... not sleep against a wall.
Ever since we have gotten here, we have noticed the overwhelming amount of sun protection this culture appreciates. They shield themselves from the sun at all times. Which is really a great idea, especially with the threat of skin cancer in every one of the sun's rays... but when hiding from the sun prevents you from doing your job, you need to find a new way to deal with it. And that is exactly what is happening. (In fact, on the second day, because the sun was so bad, I was left to man a huge area myself because it was too sunny for the other volunteers.) The two girls who were supposed to be helping me did not move from under the umbrella they stood under... too far from the action to help the photographers in any way. I can respect sunscreen. I can respect shade. But I can't respect the fact that I was told I wasn't promoting a good image, just for being up in the action where I was supposed to be and not hiding under an umbrella.
What's even worse is that we were told that under no circumstances were we to be taking pictures during competition days. (That's why the blog lacks pictures... sorry!) Training days were fine, but if we were working at the venue, photos were out of the equation. Let's also talk about how about 80 percent of Chinese volunteers have been taking pictures, mobbing athletes and getting in the way in places they shouldn't be... all with cameras in hand... all on competition days. I'm not trying to be a tattle here, I'm really just expressing frustration for how the American volunteers are really doing our best to respect the "image" they want us to uphold... we're really trying to conform to their ways while at the venues... and the Chinese volunteers are running around like kindergartners. Oh yeah, and most of the managers are doing the same thing. So how could they expect anyone to obey their rules? But they expect it out of the Americans. We apparently are held to a higher standard. Thank goodness, too. I'd hate to see what an event in America would be like if some of the same things were going on as are here.
Ok so, sorry for that. It's not complaining, it's just giving you a sense of what it is like to be the minority in a culture that has very opposite ideas of work ethic and professionalism (from what I have seen).
On the other hand, the BMX community is one of the coolest groups ever. Since the sport is still growing, the pool of athletes is still small... riders are still young... and everyone involved in BMX basically knows each other. Heck, they've grown up together. This makes for a very fun atmosphere. Everyone is friends, no matter what team they are on, and people like those VIPs I met know everyone on a personal level. It's really refreshing to see competition with such good-natured athletes behind it. Plus, the riders are not at all stuck up... I mean, they're riding through packs of photographers, only to stop to say hey to a team member or coach on their way through. None of that pretentious athlete junk. Just cool kids on bikes.
And I've never really watched BMX before, but it's crazy! Crashes happen just about every race, so you never know who will be leading the field on riders. Plus, bikes flying over hills... I mean, whoever thought this one up knew it would fun to watch.
It was a great day. I was outside. I watched history happen. And I walked away with blue Powerade and a grey hat. Not much more I could ask for.
And it was. The very first time BMX has had a place at the Olympics. From what I have heard (and I mean this the way people say things like, "Well I heard that..." or "They said...", where the "heard" is rather unreliable and "they" are some ambiguous group of proclaimed experts), the Olympic Games are looking to attract attention for more young people, thus the inclusion of BMX as a step in this direction. Whatever the reasoning, it was obviously a big day out at Laoshan.
My designated photo position (the location I manage, keeping the photogs under control) was the second turn of the course. The difference with this photo position and the others is that this one is where athletes, coaches and other people affiliated with the teams can roam around... including where the riders ride their bikes through after their race. It's a pretty busy area, and it was popular with the photographers because just before that second turn is where the men have the big jump... great for in-air action shots. As you can imagine, being the photo police in this area is a little different than just telling them where to stand.
The other problem is that there was no specific area for photographers only, which meant that coaches and team members could be taking up space that photogs wanted and vice versa. Really there wasn't much I could do since everyone could be in this space. I just let it all happen, and everyone seemed to be okay.
But thanks to the mixed bag of people hanging out in this area I was not only inches (sometimes not even that) away from the BMX riders (which, btw, and I'm not just saying this, are so cool... more on that later), but I was around all kinds of people. I met the guy with Team USA who travels to cities before the games to arrange lodging and logistics for the team. I met the guys who design and build the start gate mechanics for every BMX course in the world. I met the UCI head honcho. I met the guy who actually oversaw and was the boss of the physical course (building it, maintaining it, etc.) and for most other BMX courses around the world... if you saw someone out in the middle of the track hosing it down or sweeping it off between races, that was Tom.
And Tom, being the cool guy that he is, saw me without a hat on this sunny day... to which I responded that girls didn't get baseball caps, and I'd rather go without than wear a bucket hat... to which he jumped up and ran to get his own hat. He tossed it to me, saying it was too small for him anyway, and now I could make everyone jealous (his hat, because he is an "official official," is grey... managers get red, we low-end-of-the-totem-pole volunteers get blue), which is exactly what is happening.
Person asking where I got my grey hat: So, um, how did you manage to score an official's hat?
Alysha GreyHatWearing Daytner: Oh, I'm friends with the guy who built the course. It's cool.
Hanging out with these cool people in my corner of the photo position world was also great because these VIPs have access to things like blue Powerade. It is key to make friends with those who have the blue Powerade.
It was a pretty great day overall, minus the problems of other volunteers and mangers thinking I wasn't supposed to be standing where I was. I responded by showing them my credentials... including maps of the venue showing where photo positions are... about five times. That is how many times I got questioned, despite my photo vest, uniform and accreditation. The photogs laughed every time someone came over to me to tell me I wasn't supposed to be there. They got a real kick out of it.
See, it wouldn't really bother me so much if one of those times I got reprimanded for leaning on a railing, being told that it wasn't good for the "Volunteers' Image." Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Not good for the image? First of all, I was up by the railing because there was about a six-foot wide area that the photographers had to share with cyclists riding up from races, as well as all of the people that are in the entourage of the athletes. Stepping back only puts me in the way of all those people. Secondly, allow me to discuss how the other volunteers who were supposed to be helping me were leaning against a wall in the shade with their eyes closed. Maybe I'm just more aggressive... or maybe (and here's a crazy thought) I'm actually doing my job, which is to interact with and manage the photographers... not sleep against a wall.
Ever since we have gotten here, we have noticed the overwhelming amount of sun protection this culture appreciates. They shield themselves from the sun at all times. Which is really a great idea, especially with the threat of skin cancer in every one of the sun's rays... but when hiding from the sun prevents you from doing your job, you need to find a new way to deal with it. And that is exactly what is happening. (In fact, on the second day, because the sun was so bad, I was left to man a huge area myself because it was too sunny for the other volunteers.) The two girls who were supposed to be helping me did not move from under the umbrella they stood under... too far from the action to help the photographers in any way. I can respect sunscreen. I can respect shade. But I can't respect the fact that I was told I wasn't promoting a good image, just for being up in the action where I was supposed to be and not hiding under an umbrella.
What's even worse is that we were told that under no circumstances were we to be taking pictures during competition days. (That's why the blog lacks pictures... sorry!) Training days were fine, but if we were working at the venue, photos were out of the equation. Let's also talk about how about 80 percent of Chinese volunteers have been taking pictures, mobbing athletes and getting in the way in places they shouldn't be... all with cameras in hand... all on competition days. I'm not trying to be a tattle here, I'm really just expressing frustration for how the American volunteers are really doing our best to respect the "image" they want us to uphold... we're really trying to conform to their ways while at the venues... and the Chinese volunteers are running around like kindergartners. Oh yeah, and most of the managers are doing the same thing. So how could they expect anyone to obey their rules? But they expect it out of the Americans. We apparently are held to a higher standard. Thank goodness, too. I'd hate to see what an event in America would be like if some of the same things were going on as are here.
Ok so, sorry for that. It's not complaining, it's just giving you a sense of what it is like to be the minority in a culture that has very opposite ideas of work ethic and professionalism (from what I have seen).
On the other hand, the BMX community is one of the coolest groups ever. Since the sport is still growing, the pool of athletes is still small... riders are still young... and everyone involved in BMX basically knows each other. Heck, they've grown up together. This makes for a very fun atmosphere. Everyone is friends, no matter what team they are on, and people like those VIPs I met know everyone on a personal level. It's really refreshing to see competition with such good-natured athletes behind it. Plus, the riders are not at all stuck up... I mean, they're riding through packs of photographers, only to stop to say hey to a team member or coach on their way through. None of that pretentious athlete junk. Just cool kids on bikes.
And I've never really watched BMX before, but it's crazy! Crashes happen just about every race, so you never know who will be leading the field on riders. Plus, bikes flying over hills... I mean, whoever thought this one up knew it would fun to watch.
It was a great day. I was outside. I watched history happen. And I walked away with blue Powerade and a grey hat. Not much more I could ask for.
19.8.08
how now brown shower.
This morning was a fiasco. First of all, the phenomenon known as brownshower returned to the 8th floor. Megan was in the shower... and all of the sudden I heard her yell "Nooooooo!" I knew then what we had on our hands.
And this time, brownshower struck in interesting ways. We had brownshower, but not brownsink. Lauren and Traci had brownsink, but not brownshower. Chris and Phil had brownsink and brownshower. Leroy and Chad had neither. So, I was third in line for the use of Leroy's brown-free shower. Chaos.
Off to the Velodrome we went for the final day of Track Cycling. As much as I enjoyed it, I'm really excited to move on to BMX and Mountain Bike. Today I did have to lay down the law to one photographer who got really irritated with me... over the set-up of the photo positions at the track. I was like, listen buddy, I didn't design this place. If you can't work around a railing, I don't see your photo career going leaps and bounds. Angry little elf.
After the races and medal ceremonies, Val, Christina, Chris and I bolted for the door and snagged a cab across town to Luga's (burritos. duh.). We were starving and so ready to get some tasty tasty Mexican food. No sooner than we sit down at the tiny little table just outside the front door, three guys from the Holland Heineken House (the giant mega-Olympic party location... huge tradition at past Olympics) walk up and ask how long we will be since we were at their favorite table.
We hadn't gotten our food yet, but told them it was all theirs when we were done. And, as it usually ends up at Luga's, we all just ended up crowding around a tiny table talking. Now here's the crazy part... in the middle of saying that I've seen so few Americans here compared to the number of other countries... I look up, and who do I see but Kyle Sloan. Apparently after our dinner last night, he (like us) is hooked on Luga. He said he came for lunch, and was returning with some other Olympic family members for an evening out. Luga is crazy addictive.
After the worst cab ride home ever (it cost us three times what it should have because the driver didn't remember to tell us that he didn't really know where we needed to go), I was ready for a shower, a blog and bed. But, just as China has a surprise around every corner, there was brownshower waiting for me when I got home. But this time it was sneaky.
I turned the water on... brown/black for just a second, and then it was fine. I hopped in... lathering up the hair.... and as soon as I open my eyes, I'm being doused in coffee silt water. Grrrr. I step to the side and as I am contemplating what to do, it clears up. No big deal. I'm at the point now where brownshower is what it is. I've accepted it, and I jump back in. A minute later, again by surprise, I'm brownshowered again. Again I wait, it clears up. Seriously, I'm not even phased. Finally, I finish up with clear water and am thankful that it was pretty hot tonight.
So with less than a week left, I'm really ready for a taste of home and family, but then as soon as I get it, I'll be ready to be off again. We'll see what happens. For now, it's just a little more China.
And this time, brownshower struck in interesting ways. We had brownshower, but not brownsink. Lauren and Traci had brownsink, but not brownshower. Chris and Phil had brownsink and brownshower. Leroy and Chad had neither. So, I was third in line for the use of Leroy's brown-free shower. Chaos.
Off to the Velodrome we went for the final day of Track Cycling. As much as I enjoyed it, I'm really excited to move on to BMX and Mountain Bike. Today I did have to lay down the law to one photographer who got really irritated with me... over the set-up of the photo positions at the track. I was like, listen buddy, I didn't design this place. If you can't work around a railing, I don't see your photo career going leaps and bounds. Angry little elf.
After the races and medal ceremonies, Val, Christina, Chris and I bolted for the door and snagged a cab across town to Luga's (burritos. duh.). We were starving and so ready to get some tasty tasty Mexican food. No sooner than we sit down at the tiny little table just outside the front door, three guys from the Holland Heineken House (the giant mega-Olympic party location... huge tradition at past Olympics) walk up and ask how long we will be since we were at their favorite table.
We hadn't gotten our food yet, but told them it was all theirs when we were done. And, as it usually ends up at Luga's, we all just ended up crowding around a tiny table talking. Now here's the crazy part... in the middle of saying that I've seen so few Americans here compared to the number of other countries... I look up, and who do I see but Kyle Sloan. Apparently after our dinner last night, he (like us) is hooked on Luga. He said he came for lunch, and was returning with some other Olympic family members for an evening out. Luga is crazy addictive.
After the worst cab ride home ever (it cost us three times what it should have because the driver didn't remember to tell us that he didn't really know where we needed to go), I was ready for a shower, a blog and bed. But, just as China has a surprise around every corner, there was brownshower waiting for me when I got home. But this time it was sneaky.
I turned the water on... brown/black for just a second, and then it was fine. I hopped in... lathering up the hair.... and as soon as I open my eyes, I'm being doused in coffee silt water. Grrrr. I step to the side and as I am contemplating what to do, it clears up. No big deal. I'm at the point now where brownshower is what it is. I've accepted it, and I jump back in. A minute later, again by surprise, I'm brownshowered again. Again I wait, it clears up. Seriously, I'm not even phased. Finally, I finish up with clear water and am thankful that it was pretty hot tonight.
So with less than a week left, I'm really ready for a taste of home and family, but then as soon as I get it, I'll be ready to be off again. We'll see what happens. For now, it's just a little more China.
love cycling. hate crashes.
After working a few days in the Velodrome while actual events are taking place, cycling now has a very dear place in my heart. I can't get enough.
If you've watched any of it on TV (and from what I have heard, there isn't much) you might be a bit turned off... but like many sports, watching it live changes your mind. Especially when you are watching it from the top of a turn in the track... where you can hear the athletes talking to each other and see the expressions on their faces.
Although, based on the size of some of the lenses my photographer friends are using, you can probably see the expressions on their faces too... down to the whites of their eyes. Seriously, these guys' equipment is the size of a Chinese gymnast. And they just toss it around like kids toss around toys... they leave cameras and lenses lying around everywhere in the moat (which isn't very big to start with). I think it's cool though that they can do that. All the photographers are very professional and obviously, if they are at the Olympics, they're pretty good at what they do.
Yesterday there were a ton a photogs because the Women's Points Race was the first event, and there are lots and lots of riders in the race. And when there are lots and lots of riders... bad things happen. Bad things like crashes.
Sarah Hammer (USA), Satomi Wadami (JPN) and Verena Jooss (GER) went down... and didn't come up. I saw the whole thing about 12 feet below me and it was nasty. Some others went down too and got up, but the Japanese girl got her head/neck run over and I seriously thought she wasn't going to move. All I could hear were shutters clicking and the sound of the other riders flying past the crash.
Honestly it wasn't even some huge crash in the cycling world, but watching people get run over by bikes isn't cool no matter how big or bad the crash is. In fact, it was at this moment that I learned how little I like watching people get hurt when I can't do anything to help them. Had I been able to leap over the bar and slide down the track to help the situation (If Ho, call Pro) I think I would have been fine, but because I could only watch from above my reaction was less than desirable.
I felt all the blood leave my face, felt the heat wave and sweat start pouring out of my body, felt the weak knees and heart pounding... to the point where I had to go sit down for a moment. Seriously, Alysha... really? You can't even keep it together when you see a cycling crash? No. I couldn't. I'm so lame.
Once I regained composure I got back to work... keeping photographers in check and making friends with them so they will sneak me coffee out of the media lounge. The NBC guys have even offered to bring Starbucks from the fully functional 'bucks in the NBC headquarters here... where they all get whatever coffee they want... for free. Sounds like heaven.
The rest of the races were pretty excellent, but I realized how much I like the Australia/New Zealand situation during the Men's Team Pursuit where they were riding against each other. I came up with an analogy for the two countries; I feel like AUS/NZ is kind of like Purdue/IU. Both countries are kind of on their own down in their corner of the world (like two schools in Indiana). The two countries compete in races against each other, and everyone goes nuts for their respective team, but in the end, they all party together anyway (maybe like a certain favorite football rivalry weekend). Whatever it is, there's a cool, friendly but competitive vibe (maybe a mate from either country would disagree with me completely, but from where I'm sitting, they look like they get along). And honestly, I have yet to meet someone from either country that is not completely chill.
After the events ended, I was off to meet up with good friend and colleague Kyle Sloan (older brother of Bridget Sloan, crazy good Silver medal-winning Team USA gymnast). Pretty cool when your friends are hanging around Beijing when you are. Never really thought that would happen. So we took him to Luga's, our favorite Mexican restaurant that serves (not even kidding here) the BEST burritos I have ever had. Ever.
[K.Dools: Remember how our favorite Mexican delivery place was really owned and operated by Chinese people? Who would guess that the best and maybe only Mexican food in China is operated by a Hispanic person? If this isn't globalization, I don't know what is.]
And after an evening reminiscent of some good times at Purdue, we cabbed it home and ended another successfully fun day in China. Pretty sad that this is my last week here, even though I am excited to get back home.
But that reminds me... I had this crazy napdream the other day... sooo good. One of the photographers was talking to me, asking me what my plans were after I left China. Upon telling him that I'm in the process of securing employment (sounds much better than "begging for a job") he said, "Well, some colleagues of mine and I are going on a three month trip around the world, starting in South Africa, documenting the way people live. We'd love to have you along to help out, write down everything we see, help us stay organized." My napdream response to this was, "Omigosh YES. But I don't have much money, and I have a lease in Chicago." Then he said, "Well, we wouldn't be able to pay you, but we would cover all of your expenses on the trip and we would also pay your rent while you came with." And this is where my napdream ends... but it leads me to believe that maybe this could happen.
I really would pack up and peace out to travel around the world. Some of you know about my latest plan (I know one person in a similar job-hunt predicament does... let's call him L.Reed or Luke R. to protect his identity) which is that if I don't have a job by October 1, I'm going to drain my savings account and do the whole "backpack Europe" thing. I am maybe 45 percent serious about this plan right now. I would put a job on hold for another month and just live it up traveling. Right now it scares me that a real job means no more vacations longer than a few days. The ol' Daytner travel bug has bit me.
As I write this, Megan just got doused with coffee shower... the brown is back. I've gotta go. This situation demands my attention.
If you've watched any of it on TV (and from what I have heard, there isn't much) you might be a bit turned off... but like many sports, watching it live changes your mind. Especially when you are watching it from the top of a turn in the track... where you can hear the athletes talking to each other and see the expressions on their faces.
Although, based on the size of some of the lenses my photographer friends are using, you can probably see the expressions on their faces too... down to the whites of their eyes. Seriously, these guys' equipment is the size of a Chinese gymnast. And they just toss it around like kids toss around toys... they leave cameras and lenses lying around everywhere in the moat (which isn't very big to start with). I think it's cool though that they can do that. All the photographers are very professional and obviously, if they are at the Olympics, they're pretty good at what they do.
Yesterday there were a ton a photogs because the Women's Points Race was the first event, and there are lots and lots of riders in the race. And when there are lots and lots of riders... bad things happen. Bad things like crashes.
Sarah Hammer (USA), Satomi Wadami (JPN) and Verena Jooss (GER) went down... and didn't come up. I saw the whole thing about 12 feet below me and it was nasty. Some others went down too and got up, but the Japanese girl got her head/neck run over and I seriously thought she wasn't going to move. All I could hear were shutters clicking and the sound of the other riders flying past the crash.
Honestly it wasn't even some huge crash in the cycling world, but watching people get run over by bikes isn't cool no matter how big or bad the crash is. In fact, it was at this moment that I learned how little I like watching people get hurt when I can't do anything to help them. Had I been able to leap over the bar and slide down the track to help the situation (If Ho, call Pro) I think I would have been fine, but because I could only watch from above my reaction was less than desirable.
I felt all the blood leave my face, felt the heat wave and sweat start pouring out of my body, felt the weak knees and heart pounding... to the point where I had to go sit down for a moment. Seriously, Alysha... really? You can't even keep it together when you see a cycling crash? No. I couldn't. I'm so lame.
Once I regained composure I got back to work... keeping photographers in check and making friends with them so they will sneak me coffee out of the media lounge. The NBC guys have even offered to bring Starbucks from the fully functional 'bucks in the NBC headquarters here... where they all get whatever coffee they want... for free. Sounds like heaven.
The rest of the races were pretty excellent, but I realized how much I like the Australia/New Zealand situation during the Men's Team Pursuit where they were riding against each other. I came up with an analogy for the two countries; I feel like AUS/NZ is kind of like Purdue/IU. Both countries are kind of on their own down in their corner of the world (like two schools in Indiana). The two countries compete in races against each other, and everyone goes nuts for their respective team, but in the end, they all party together anyway (maybe like a certain favorite football rivalry weekend). Whatever it is, there's a cool, friendly but competitive vibe (maybe a mate from either country would disagree with me completely, but from where I'm sitting, they look like they get along). And honestly, I have yet to meet someone from either country that is not completely chill.
After the events ended, I was off to meet up with good friend and colleague Kyle Sloan (older brother of Bridget Sloan, crazy good Silver medal-winning Team USA gymnast). Pretty cool when your friends are hanging around Beijing when you are. Never really thought that would happen. So we took him to Luga's, our favorite Mexican restaurant that serves (not even kidding here) the BEST burritos I have ever had. Ever.
[K.Dools: Remember how our favorite Mexican delivery place was really owned and operated by Chinese people? Who would guess that the best and maybe only Mexican food in China is operated by a Hispanic person? If this isn't globalization, I don't know what is.]
And after an evening reminiscent of some good times at Purdue, we cabbed it home and ended another successfully fun day in China. Pretty sad that this is my last week here, even though I am excited to get back home.
But that reminds me... I had this crazy napdream the other day... sooo good. One of the photographers was talking to me, asking me what my plans were after I left China. Upon telling him that I'm in the process of securing employment (sounds much better than "begging for a job") he said, "Well, some colleagues of mine and I are going on a three month trip around the world, starting in South Africa, documenting the way people live. We'd love to have you along to help out, write down everything we see, help us stay organized." My napdream response to this was, "Omigosh YES. But I don't have much money, and I have a lease in Chicago." Then he said, "Well, we wouldn't be able to pay you, but we would cover all of your expenses on the trip and we would also pay your rent while you came with." And this is where my napdream ends... but it leads me to believe that maybe this could happen.
I really would pack up and peace out to travel around the world. Some of you know about my latest plan (I know one person in a similar job-hunt predicament does... let's call him L.Reed or Luke R. to protect his identity) which is that if I don't have a job by October 1, I'm going to drain my savings account and do the whole "backpack Europe" thing. I am maybe 45 percent serious about this plan right now. I would put a job on hold for another month and just live it up traveling. Right now it scares me that a real job means no more vacations longer than a few days. The ol' Daytner travel bug has bit me.
As I write this, Megan just got doused with coffee shower... the brown is back. I've gotta go. This situation demands my attention.
17.8.08
90,000 of my closest friends.
I love track meets. I always have. Lots going on; people hangin' out; good times.
Thinking of those days of sitting in the LHS infield listening to Naumo yell at our 4x800 relay team... I compared it to where I was tonight: The Birds Nest. The track meet of track meets. What a beautiful, wonderful site.
Those of us who were able to ask off of work headed to the Nest all decked out in RW&B, flags in hand and had a face painting party on the subway ride there. I think our RW&B war paint was what got so many pictures taken of us. After tonight, there's no telling how many Chinese photo albums we're in.
We got to the Olympic Green around dusk and thanks to one of the top five low smog/blue sky days we have had here, everything was just breathtaking. The only people allowed on the Olympic Green (the area with several venues, including the Nest and the Water Cube) are people with tickets to the events... so happy to have the chance to see the venues that close, and on such a gorgeous night.
Our seats in the Nest were between the first and second turns of the track, with a great view of the start/finish line. And the place was PACKED. It was so cool. Picture 90,000 people doing the wave... picture 90,000 people cheering like mad people... picture 90,000 people losing their minds when Jamaica's Usain Bolt BROKE THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE MEN'S 100M!
Yes... I was there. I saw it happen. I have it on video. I danced to the reggae in celebration.
Seriously, at the beginning of the evening I said to everyone something like "how cool would it be if something AMAZING happened tonight... we could say we were here." Hey guess what kids, it happened. It. Was. So. Cool.
When we got to the event I didn't even know we would see the Finals for the Men's 100M, and there I was, watching one of the most well-known world records be broken.
This is not to say I didn't enjoy watching the Women's 800M Qualifying, Men's Long Jump (including our boy Trevell), Women's Shot Put and the Ukrainians dominate the last few events of Women's Heptathlon (they took Gold and Silver, USA took Bronze)... but watching humans run as fast as those guys did is just phenomenal.
One of the coolest things was when the women finished the Heptathlon events, they all took a victory lap holding hands and taking bows together... with Ukrainians and the American draped in flags. It was really great, like they had all become really close Olympic friends. I felt a little emotional.
So after the events ended (they didn't have the Medal Ceremony for the Men's 100M... not sure why, but I think it is tomorrow) we headed outside to take some night photos of the Nest and the Cube, and of me doing some really great gymnastics moves on my imaginary light-up balance beam. Don't worry, I know in the past these situations have not worked in my favor, but I did not injure myself nor did I harm others. Judges are still deciding whether or not to include my score in this year's individual all-around event. Nastia, look out girl.
After a busy subway home we arrived at our stop only to find the pesticide truck coming around spraying trees... AND ME. There was no where for us to escape to... no joke, the people who hid under the bridge got it less... but I was in fight or flight mode and my avoidance tactic did not work so well. I showered immediately upon returning home, and am hoping that my kids don't have seven arms. Sick. I got chemically violated. Anyone who thinks pesticides are a brilliant idea has never been hosed down with the stuff. I was sticky and gross. And I didn't like it.
Thinking of those days of sitting in the LHS infield listening to Naumo yell at our 4x800 relay team... I compared it to where I was tonight: The Birds Nest. The track meet of track meets. What a beautiful, wonderful site.
Those of us who were able to ask off of work headed to the Nest all decked out in RW&B, flags in hand and had a face painting party on the subway ride there. I think our RW&B war paint was what got so many pictures taken of us. After tonight, there's no telling how many Chinese photo albums we're in.
We got to the Olympic Green around dusk and thanks to one of the top five low smog/blue sky days we have had here, everything was just breathtaking. The only people allowed on the Olympic Green (the area with several venues, including the Nest and the Water Cube) are people with tickets to the events... so happy to have the chance to see the venues that close, and on such a gorgeous night.
Our seats in the Nest were between the first and second turns of the track, with a great view of the start/finish line. And the place was PACKED. It was so cool. Picture 90,000 people doing the wave... picture 90,000 people cheering like mad people... picture 90,000 people losing their minds when Jamaica's Usain Bolt BROKE THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE MEN'S 100M!
Yes... I was there. I saw it happen. I have it on video. I danced to the reggae in celebration.
Seriously, at the beginning of the evening I said to everyone something like "how cool would it be if something AMAZING happened tonight... we could say we were here." Hey guess what kids, it happened. It. Was. So. Cool.
When we got to the event I didn't even know we would see the Finals for the Men's 100M, and there I was, watching one of the most well-known world records be broken.
This is not to say I didn't enjoy watching the Women's 800M Qualifying, Men's Long Jump (including our boy Trevell), Women's Shot Put and the Ukrainians dominate the last few events of Women's Heptathlon (they took Gold and Silver, USA took Bronze)... but watching humans run as fast as those guys did is just phenomenal.
One of the coolest things was when the women finished the Heptathlon events, they all took a victory lap holding hands and taking bows together... with Ukrainians and the American draped in flags. It was really great, like they had all become really close Olympic friends. I felt a little emotional.
So after the events ended (they didn't have the Medal Ceremony for the Men's 100M... not sure why, but I think it is tomorrow) we headed outside to take some night photos of the Nest and the Cube, and of me doing some really great gymnastics moves on my imaginary light-up balance beam. Don't worry, I know in the past these situations have not worked in my favor, but I did not injure myself nor did I harm others. Judges are still deciding whether or not to include my score in this year's individual all-around event. Nastia, look out girl.
After a busy subway home we arrived at our stop only to find the pesticide truck coming around spraying trees... AND ME. There was no where for us to escape to... no joke, the people who hid under the bridge got it less... but I was in fight or flight mode and my avoidance tactic did not work so well. I showered immediately upon returning home, and am hoping that my kids don't have seven arms. Sick. I got chemically violated. Anyone who thinks pesticides are a brilliant idea has never been hosed down with the stuff. I was sticky and gross. And I didn't like it.
16.8.08
big day, part II.
Upon arriving at Laoshan, we could feel the Olympic energy like never before. For the first time there were spectators pouring in with all kinds of national pride. There were press and photogs everywhere. I walked into the photo workroom (my station for the night) and was greeted by the site of maybe 15 photographers all wielding HUGE lenses (which, btw, they toss around like they're toys).
I answered a lot of photographers' questions, especially when all four of the other Chinese volunteers would jump up to provide an answer, all talk at the same time and confuse the photographer who would then look at me. I've played the role of "information girl" before, and I really love it. I don't know why I'm so patient with people asking the same question over and over; I think it was all those years as a Purdue tour guide.
After a while in the workroom (where on the TV we saw the very first cycling race, which also included the very first crash... Poland), I was told to go up to the moat. The moat is a little balcony area around the top of the track on one side where photographers stand. This is where most photographers go because of the great shots they can get of the start/finish line. So I donned my turquoise XXL photo vest and made my way up there where I found Christina in the moat already. My bosses Ding and Kai told me that they needed people who spoke English up there more than ever because photographers weren't listening to the Chinese volunteers. Christina said the same thing and was glad to have another photo enforcer up there.
So I got to watch the races all while telling photographers to not hold their equipment over the track (safety first, please)... not to stand on chairs (again, safety first)... put their photo vests back on (no body likes a photographer without a vest)... and almost (not even kidding here) to put your shoes back on and stop climbing up the railing. I just let him go though... it was during the medal ceremony and really doubt he was going to like me telling him to find his shoes as he shot that emotionally charged moment.
I watched the medal ceremony from the moat too. If you watched it on TV, I am directly behind the podium, about 20 feet up at the edge of the track. Also, you might have seen some of my other friends on TV; we all wear turquoise vests over our uniforms.
So all in all, I'm going to say it was a decent first day of real work. I would love to be doing a lot more, but none of the volunteers, even the flash quote reporters (the job we were originally here for) were busy the entire time. With so many volunteers it is a bit impossible to keep everyone occupied all the time.
It is fun though to be running around an Olympic venue with the credentials to get almost anywhere in the building (the only places I can't go are the athletes lounges). I love the crowd with everyone chanting and waving flags and yelling in different languages to their countries' athletes. And I especially love the medal ceremony because (just like I always do) the athletes tear up a little bit during their own nation's anthem... grown men in spandex bike suits crying. Chances are slim, but I'd love to hear the Star Spangled Banner being played in that velodrome. Gets me every time.
I answered a lot of photographers' questions, especially when all four of the other Chinese volunteers would jump up to provide an answer, all talk at the same time and confuse the photographer who would then look at me. I've played the role of "information girl" before, and I really love it. I don't know why I'm so patient with people asking the same question over and over; I think it was all those years as a Purdue tour guide.
After a while in the workroom (where on the TV we saw the very first cycling race, which also included the very first crash... Poland), I was told to go up to the moat. The moat is a little balcony area around the top of the track on one side where photographers stand. This is where most photographers go because of the great shots they can get of the start/finish line. So I donned my turquoise XXL photo vest and made my way up there where I found Christina in the moat already. My bosses Ding and Kai told me that they needed people who spoke English up there more than ever because photographers weren't listening to the Chinese volunteers. Christina said the same thing and was glad to have another photo enforcer up there.
So I got to watch the races all while telling photographers to not hold their equipment over the track (safety first, please)... not to stand on chairs (again, safety first)... put their photo vests back on (no body likes a photographer without a vest)... and almost (not even kidding here) to put your shoes back on and stop climbing up the railing. I just let him go though... it was during the medal ceremony and really doubt he was going to like me telling him to find his shoes as he shot that emotionally charged moment.
I watched the medal ceremony from the moat too. If you watched it on TV, I am directly behind the podium, about 20 feet up at the edge of the track. Also, you might have seen some of my other friends on TV; we all wear turquoise vests over our uniforms.
So all in all, I'm going to say it was a decent first day of real work. I would love to be doing a lot more, but none of the volunteers, even the flash quote reporters (the job we were originally here for) were busy the entire time. With so many volunteers it is a bit impossible to keep everyone occupied all the time.
It is fun though to be running around an Olympic venue with the credentials to get almost anywhere in the building (the only places I can't go are the athletes lounges). I love the crowd with everyone chanting and waving flags and yelling in different languages to their countries' athletes. And I especially love the medal ceremony because (just like I always do) the athletes tear up a little bit during their own nation's anthem... grown men in spandex bike suits crying. Chances are slim, but I'd love to hear the Star Spangled Banner being played in that velodrome. Gets me every time.
15.8.08
big day, part I.
This will be the first post of two today. It's the first day of cycling events at Laoshan; the first day of putting everything into action. It's a big day.
In a conversation yesterday, I said that today could determine a lot about this trip. I'm hoping that at the end of the day, part II of this post will say that my job is really worth me being here and that I'll gain a lot in the next eleven days. Don't get me wrong, this trip has been amazing so far, but not at all in the way I expected.
I applied for this trip because I thought I would get experience working as a reporter for the Olympic News Service. When I found out that four of us had randomly been bumped over to Photo Services, I was still optimistic. Then when we found out that working in Photo Services means there will be little to do until the Games start, we were a bit let down. Here we are, eager to get to work, and we're being told that there isn't anything to do. (This is the point where I start making this trip productive on my own terms... meeting people, learning as much as I can from my bosses, etc.)
But today is the day. Today we will see if our jobs are really going to round out this trip. I'm optimistic that the four native English speakers in Photo Services will be utilized quite a bit, as we already have been, but with the Games being grossly overstaffed with volunteers, we might not be doing as much as we hope.
I know that this experience is, indeed, the chance of a lifetime. But when deciding to come to China, I had to put my post-graduation plans on hold... I had to delay getting a job... I had to find some money to pay for this trip. And I didn't do all of that so I could stand around in an Olympic venue, no matter how cool that might be. I came to use the skills I have as a college graduate... I came to learn how an event like this is planned and carried out... I came to work, and so far, that work has been a bit lacking. This is why today is such a big day. I'm hoping to come home and blog about how much these last eleven days will keep me busy and make me feel like I am accomplishing something rather than just being a glorified Olympic tourist.
No matter what, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. But I can't help but want to be challenged and motivated at my job. Today, I guess, I'll see if it will work out that way.
In a conversation yesterday, I said that today could determine a lot about this trip. I'm hoping that at the end of the day, part II of this post will say that my job is really worth me being here and that I'll gain a lot in the next eleven days. Don't get me wrong, this trip has been amazing so far, but not at all in the way I expected.
I applied for this trip because I thought I would get experience working as a reporter for the Olympic News Service. When I found out that four of us had randomly been bumped over to Photo Services, I was still optimistic. Then when we found out that working in Photo Services means there will be little to do until the Games start, we were a bit let down. Here we are, eager to get to work, and we're being told that there isn't anything to do. (This is the point where I start making this trip productive on my own terms... meeting people, learning as much as I can from my bosses, etc.)
But today is the day. Today we will see if our jobs are really going to round out this trip. I'm optimistic that the four native English speakers in Photo Services will be utilized quite a bit, as we already have been, but with the Games being grossly overstaffed with volunteers, we might not be doing as much as we hope.
I know that this experience is, indeed, the chance of a lifetime. But when deciding to come to China, I had to put my post-graduation plans on hold... I had to delay getting a job... I had to find some money to pay for this trip. And I didn't do all of that so I could stand around in an Olympic venue, no matter how cool that might be. I came to use the skills I have as a college graduate... I came to learn how an event like this is planned and carried out... I came to work, and so far, that work has been a bit lacking. This is why today is such a big day. I'm hoping to come home and blog about how much these last eleven days will keep me busy and make me feel like I am accomplishing something rather than just being a glorified Olympic tourist.
No matter what, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. But I can't help but want to be challenged and motivated at my job. Today, I guess, I'll see if it will work out that way.
13.8.08
allow me to clarify.
It was brought to my attention by an anonymous comment on my previous post that my word choice was perhaps ignorant: Imagine that. Working in China and you're "forced" to listen to instructions in Chinese. I'd love to respond to this, because, frankly, it's exactly what I meant.
In writing about being forced to sit in a meeting conducted entirely in Chinese... where our boss told us, yes, this meeting will be in Chinese and, yes, she knows we won't understand a thing. Our "translators" spoke precisely three sentences to us during the half hour meeting. How foolish to have two of the native English speakers sit through a meeting in Chinese. Especially when the native English speakers at the venues were brought there specifically for their communication abilities.
We are working where we are working because (and this has been said to us by nearly everyone we work with) the Chinese students need help with their English skills and communicating to other English-speaking people (namely press) that will be at our venue. It's really not up to me that English has become such a worldwide language... it happened, and I'm thankful I am a native speaker of it. I've said a number of times in previous blog posts that I am motivated to learn Mandarin. But since I don't, and I'm working with people who are aware that they need help from native English speakers, I do find it fruitless to have two of us sit in on a training that is in only Chinese.
In addition, working at an Olympic venue, regardless of the city, is an international experience with all kinds of languages being spoken. It is understood that not everyone will be able to communicate in their native languages. But it is also understood that, when working on a team with others who do not speak the same language, all parties have to work together. Most days, our supervisors will not even address the group English (all of the Chinese students we work with do speak English, however they are not perfect).
It takes a great deal of patience to work with the communication barriers I work with, and yes, it is difficult to justify wasting my time sitting through a meeting I can not understand when I could be working productively somewhere else in the venue.
Thanks for pointing this out. I realize it must be hard to understand exactly what our work environment is like, and I am happy to clarify.
In writing about being forced to sit in a meeting conducted entirely in Chinese... where our boss told us, yes, this meeting will be in Chinese and, yes, she knows we won't understand a thing. Our "translators" spoke precisely three sentences to us during the half hour meeting. How foolish to have two of the native English speakers sit through a meeting in Chinese. Especially when the native English speakers at the venues were brought there specifically for their communication abilities.
We are working where we are working because (and this has been said to us by nearly everyone we work with) the Chinese students need help with their English skills and communicating to other English-speaking people (namely press) that will be at our venue. It's really not up to me that English has become such a worldwide language... it happened, and I'm thankful I am a native speaker of it. I've said a number of times in previous blog posts that I am motivated to learn Mandarin. But since I don't, and I'm working with people who are aware that they need help from native English speakers, I do find it fruitless to have two of us sit in on a training that is in only Chinese.
In addition, working at an Olympic venue, regardless of the city, is an international experience with all kinds of languages being spoken. It is understood that not everyone will be able to communicate in their native languages. But it is also understood that, when working on a team with others who do not speak the same language, all parties have to work together. Most days, our supervisors will not even address the group English (all of the Chinese students we work with do speak English, however they are not perfect).
It takes a great deal of patience to work with the communication barriers I work with, and yes, it is difficult to justify wasting my time sitting through a meeting I can not understand when I could be working productively somewhere else in the venue.
Thanks for pointing this out. I realize it must be hard to understand exactly what our work environment is like, and I am happy to clarify.
red, white and politics.
An interesting conversation happened at work. We were told there was some "training" going on, but that it would be in Chinese. (A lot of times, we are just forced to sit and listen to sessions in Chinese, it is not ideal at all.) However, two of the workers are assigned to be our "translators" during this meeting... a situation that would not work so well since these "translators" only know basic English and are still learning. As the conversation began, we soon figured out that this was a training about Olympic 51, or the article in Olympic regulation stating that no political activism of any kind can be brought about at the games. This means no shirts, banners, chants or cheers that might cause a political rift at the Games. Ideally, the Olympics should be able to be held in any participating country, and Olympic 51 keeps the politics out, sort of like playground rules for countries... no big kids picking on the little kids, or you'll get a time-out.
And although China is concerned with upholding Olympic 51 for all practical reasons, they are very concerned about the situation in Tibet. Our boss said to us that she knows there are some negative perceptions about China, and we want to do our best to keep these perceptions separated from the Games. I couldn't agree more. The Olympics is a place for countries to gather for sport, not for protest. It might be the only time that everyone is gathered up in the same place and they aren't talking about war, trade and economy. It's like a Safe Zone for the world.
As this meeting continued, students were sharing their ideas about "the politics." We were asked, as Americans, what we thought about "the politics." Our responses were, "Well, what part of politics, what do you mean?" We weren't even able to answer the question because for whatever reason, the idea of politics couldn't translate. The the Chinese, politics is about decorum, perhaps more of what we would call "politically correct/incorrect." For them it has nothing to do with elections, offices, political parties, laws or any part of a hierarchy of power. This is why we couldn't understand their question. For us, concepts of "politics" are so broad, for them it is a very easy answer. Not to mention, we also had a language barrier complicating things. I guess it is a little hard to explain, but it was a little hard to understand what was going on.
After work, despite how worn out we were from doing so little, we tapped into some energy reserves and found it in us to head all the way to Sanlitun for burritos. It just had to be done. A burrito and a quesadilla later and we were watching the Spain vs. China Men's Basketball game, making friends with some Americans at the restaurant. As it turns out, our friends work for the State Department at the US Embassy... real good people to know if you're in China. It was great, as always, to chat with other Americans about why they're here right now and what role they have with the Olympics.
All these political moments in one short day. Makes me thankful there are nice American Embassy guys looking out for us over here. Makes me glad I can vote, speak my mind, wear whatever T-Shirts with whatever political messages I want, chant USA when I want, say good things about the president, say bad things about the president and anything else that moves my political heart.
And although China is concerned with upholding Olympic 51 for all practical reasons, they are very concerned about the situation in Tibet. Our boss said to us that she knows there are some negative perceptions about China, and we want to do our best to keep these perceptions separated from the Games. I couldn't agree more. The Olympics is a place for countries to gather for sport, not for protest. It might be the only time that everyone is gathered up in the same place and they aren't talking about war, trade and economy. It's like a Safe Zone for the world.
As this meeting continued, students were sharing their ideas about "the politics." We were asked, as Americans, what we thought about "the politics." Our responses were, "Well, what part of politics, what do you mean?" We weren't even able to answer the question because for whatever reason, the idea of politics couldn't translate. The the Chinese, politics is about decorum, perhaps more of what we would call "politically correct/incorrect." For them it has nothing to do with elections, offices, political parties, laws or any part of a hierarchy of power. This is why we couldn't understand their question. For us, concepts of "politics" are so broad, for them it is a very easy answer. Not to mention, we also had a language barrier complicating things. I guess it is a little hard to explain, but it was a little hard to understand what was going on.
After work, despite how worn out we were from doing so little, we tapped into some energy reserves and found it in us to head all the way to Sanlitun for burritos. It just had to be done. A burrito and a quesadilla later and we were watching the Spain vs. China Men's Basketball game, making friends with some Americans at the restaurant. As it turns out, our friends work for the State Department at the US Embassy... real good people to know if you're in China. It was great, as always, to chat with other Americans about why they're here right now and what role they have with the Olympics.
All these political moments in one short day. Makes me thankful there are nice American Embassy guys looking out for us over here. Makes me glad I can vote, speak my mind, wear whatever T-Shirts with whatever political messages I want, chant USA when I want, say good things about the president, say bad things about the president and anything else that moves my political heart.
11.8.08
kara patterson and the amazing race.
Allow me to preface this post with how extraordinary it is for us to find what we are looking for in China without some difficulty. If we find it on the first try and with little adversity, we are pretty excited. But sometimes, even if we get tragically lost along the way, we still wrap it all up into a tremendous day... proof that you're never really "lost" at all, just a little Beijing detour.
The matches were awesome... we saw Men's Angola vs. Australia and Women's China vs. Belgium. I've only watched beach volleyball on TV before, but it is super fun live. The venue was literally a little beach surrounded by spectator seating and had all kinds of music and energy just bouncing around inside. Even the rain didn't stop us from enjoying the matches.
Because Chris and I were off work today (in the photo world, we work in pairs... Val & Christina work opposite days that Chris and I do... at least until the 14th), and because my lovely friend and Team USA Olympic javelin goddess, Kara Patterson, arranged for us to hang out in the Olympic Village, we left to get some food before heading to the Village.
Based on recommendations from the group, we attempted to find a nearby Italian restaurant. We made it out of this huge park by using some of the few Chinese words we know "shi men" (West Gate) and finally made it to the street this restaurant was on. We walk one way... decided to walk the other... and decided to turn around again. At this point, we're revamping the plans and are okay with finding whatever food we can. No sooner do we agree to just ditch this original restaurant than it appears right before our eyes. Clearly, our navigation skills outsmarted us.
After lunch, however, is a little different. This is where "the race" really picks up. We finally touch base with Kara after some communication difficulties (namely, me not having a phone and leaving CUC so early that I didn't receive emails sent after 7:30am) and tell her we're grabbing a cab and we're on our way. A very enthusiastic elderly volunteer and his entire volunteer staff help us find the Olympic Village on the map and then translate to a taxi driver where to take us.
As it turns out, we really didn't know where we were heading because the first cab dropped us off... we asked another barely English-speaking volunteer for further directions. He helps us get yet another cab to where we need to go. (This is where it is important to remember we have very little cash on us).
After some attempted entrances to gates we (or our cab, for that matter) did not have clearance to, we finally get somewhere we think is close to the Village. We walk several blocks to a giant bus station and, once again call Kara (who, at this point is being remarkably patient with how deranged we are). A few more phone calls... a few more blocks walked... a few more barely English-speaking volunteers... a few blocks back-tracked... and we are at the correct entrance to the Village.
Because we are visitors, we have to check in, walk to guest services, go through security, hand over our passports for temporary security clearance (which was super cool that there were passes just waiting for us... with our names and everything) and finally get our accreditation beeped into the Village. Finally. In like sin.
I'm already marveling at the Olympic buzz of athletes and coaches and various other important-looking people when my favorite Olympian comes running toward me. Yay for Kara for not only inviting us to the Village, but for putting up with how late we were in arriving and the tens of phone calls it took for us to all finally be in the same place. (FYI: Kara Patterson is one of the two Team USA Women's Javelin throwers and fellow Purdue student. She and I met as BGR Supers in Shrevehart together last year... the best year of Shrevehart ever.)
It's 7:00am... the Purdue students, uniform-clad and still groggy, gather on the front steps of the CUC International Center for a yearbook-like group photo. It was requested of us (and who wouldn't want an 8x10 glossy of us in those uniforms?) by some important people, so we obliged. And 7am is the only time we are all at the dorm at the same time.
With just enough time to change and get stuff together for the day, a bunch of us left for the beach volleyball venue where we had tickets for the day's matches. This is where the "amazing race" beings. It's clear that because it is about 8am there is no way we are going to get three taxis from CUC to Choyang Park. However, this takes us about 25 minutes to figure out. Begrudgingly heading to the subway some of us smile at how easy the solution to just take the subway in the first place might have been... but hey, a cab ride is pretty tempting, especially when we stood in line for about 12 minutes until we got to the train.
Upon arriving in Sanlitun, we hail cabs to take us the rest of the way to the park where the volleyball is... one cab makes it, two do not. This takes another fair amount of phone calls and patience to get everyone rounded up again. No sooner than we are through security and have our tickets checked that the group faces another transportation dilemma: a tram-like shuttle. Problem one: two of us have very very little cash on us, and since I already forked over the money for the cab ride, I wasn't about to pay another 10 yuan to get on a tram to somewhere I can easily (and willingly) walk to. Problem two: the tram didn't appear to have enough room to accommodate our large party. No big deal... the amazing race continues and the two of us walk over to the venue. After entering the least convenient door to where we sit (another glitch) we arrive at our seats to meet the group.
Upon arriving in Sanlitun, we hail cabs to take us the rest of the way to the park where the volleyball is... one cab makes it, two do not. This takes another fair amount of phone calls and patience to get everyone rounded up again. No sooner than we are through security and have our tickets checked that the group faces another transportation dilemma: a tram-like shuttle. Problem one: two of us have very very little cash on us, and since I already forked over the money for the cab ride, I wasn't about to pay another 10 yuan to get on a tram to somewhere I can easily (and willingly) walk to. Problem two: the tram didn't appear to have enough room to accommodate our large party. No big deal... the amazing race continues and the two of us walk over to the venue. After entering the least convenient door to where we sit (another glitch) we arrive at our seats to meet the group.
The matches were awesome... we saw Men's Angola vs. Australia and Women's China vs. Belgium. I've only watched beach volleyball on TV before, but it is super fun live. The venue was literally a little beach surrounded by spectator seating and had all kinds of music and energy just bouncing around inside. Even the rain didn't stop us from enjoying the matches.
Because Chris and I were off work today (in the photo world, we work in pairs... Val & Christina work opposite days that Chris and I do... at least until the 14th), and because my lovely friend and Team USA Olympic javelin goddess, Kara Patterson, arranged for us to hang out in the Olympic Village, we left to get some food before heading to the Village.
Based on recommendations from the group, we attempted to find a nearby Italian restaurant. We made it out of this huge park by using some of the few Chinese words we know "shi men" (West Gate) and finally made it to the street this restaurant was on. We walk one way... decided to walk the other... and decided to turn around again. At this point, we're revamping the plans and are okay with finding whatever food we can. No sooner do we agree to just ditch this original restaurant than it appears right before our eyes. Clearly, our navigation skills outsmarted us.
After lunch, however, is a little different. This is where "the race" really picks up. We finally touch base with Kara after some communication difficulties (namely, me not having a phone and leaving CUC so early that I didn't receive emails sent after 7:30am) and tell her we're grabbing a cab and we're on our way. A very enthusiastic elderly volunteer and his entire volunteer staff help us find the Olympic Village on the map and then translate to a taxi driver where to take us.
As it turns out, we really didn't know where we were heading because the first cab dropped us off... we asked another barely English-speaking volunteer for further directions. He helps us get yet another cab to where we need to go. (This is where it is important to remember we have very little cash on us).
After some attempted entrances to gates we (or our cab, for that matter) did not have clearance to, we finally get somewhere we think is close to the Village. We walk several blocks to a giant bus station and, once again call Kara (who, at this point is being remarkably patient with how deranged we are). A few more phone calls... a few more blocks walked... a few more barely English-speaking volunteers... a few blocks back-tracked... and we are at the correct entrance to the Village.
Because we are visitors, we have to check in, walk to guest services, go through security, hand over our passports for temporary security clearance (which was super cool that there were passes just waiting for us... with our names and everything) and finally get our accreditation beeped into the Village. Finally. In like sin.
I'm already marveling at the Olympic buzz of athletes and coaches and various other important-looking people when my favorite Olympian comes running toward me. Yay for Kara for not only inviting us to the Village, but for putting up with how late we were in arriving and the tens of phone calls it took for us to all finally be in the same place. (FYI: Kara Patterson is one of the two Team USA Women's Javelin throwers and fellow Purdue student. She and I met as BGR Supers in Shrevehart together last year... the best year of Shrevehart ever.)
And by the way, the Olympic Village is amazing. Kara took us to the common areas where people can hang out and work out... tons of people just playing ping pong, watching movies, watching other Olympic events, oh yeah, and getting drinks out of the Coke machines with literally a wave of the hand. (I drank a PowerAde in the Olympic Village. I am almost jealous of myself.) We saw the gardens nestled between the apartment buildings (also awesome) the athletes live in. We saw Kara's home for the next few weeks (and some of the awesome Team USA swag she now sports). We saw the different countries' flags flying from every balcony of the apartment buildings. 
Oh yeah, and we saw Lindsey Davenport (amazing at tennis). Not to mention we saw tons of other crazy good athletes that I couldn't even name or recognize. But, we met (as in, I shook their Olympic hands) the other Team USA Women's Javelin thrower, Kim Kreiner, Alfred Kruger (Hammerthrow), Trevell Quinley (Long Jump) and Mike Robertson (Discus). It was just so cool to be walking through the Village and have Kara see a friend, say hello, and introduce us. I know that athletes are human... but it was just amazing to meet people so dedicated to their athleticism... people who the world will watch and cheer for... people who represent the country I miss and love so dearly since arriving in China. (Which brings up another point... now that the Games have begun, I can't help but secretly wave my invisible American flag everywhere I go. Although when in uniform I can't show any bias, I am going crazy cheering for the US at all other times.)
And so, naturally, Kara had to go practice being even more awesome at throwing javelins really really far. I gave her a huge Good Skill hug and Chris and I left the Village... overly satisfied with our outing. But now, it was back to the race.
Ah yes, what a lovely idea to take a taxi back to CUC. After such a long day already (it is about 4pm at this point), walking to find the appropriate subway seems daunting. Oh wait. Between the two of us, we only have about 14 yuan... and decide to buy water and ice cream (ok, so I wanted the ice cream) and hold out for the subway. Here's the problem, the subway lines that run up through the Olympic Green (the area with the Bird's Nest, Water Cube, Main Press Center, Olympic Village, etc.) are only accessible to those with the correct accreditation. But the buses, now those are available to any Olympic affiliate.
We wait for "number bus two" for about ten minutes... board the already packed bus and laugh about how this is the third mode of transport we have used today. A quick two stops later and Chris thinks we're at the right stop... depart bus... annnnnd realize it is not the right stop at all.
Laughing at how crazy it is for us to try and find our way through this city, we spend our last pennies (I literally gave some American pennies as payment) to some street vendors for "Go China!" ninja headbands. These headbands would give us the power to continue this journey.
More barely English-speaking volunteers help us along the way... and after about two kilometers of walking, we find a subway station... and some other rowdy Americans from Downers Grove, Illinois. We all bond in the subway about how life in China is nothing like we expected it, but so great all the same (kind of the theme of our rambling about the city today). And as they departed at their stop, I noticed how the train fell silent. Maybe we were being "loud Americans," and just talking up a storm. But this is when it occurred to me that my loudness was out of enthusiasm for fellow countrymen and friendly conversation, how could I think it was a bad thing? Call me a "loud American" all you want if it is in reference to chatting it up with strangers. Why is that so bad anyhow? I've been loud forever.
Upon arriving at the CUC dorm, we check the clock... 7:30pm. What an amazing race of a day... finding our way around a city with barely any money, one cell phone, various crummy maps that never seem to have what they need to have on them, a positive outlook on being lost, communication disadvantages and some rain gear.
After all, when you're lost, you usually find new ways home... and if you're lucky, you find ninja headbands.
10.8.08
the ol' beijing thunderstorm.
Things have been pretty quiet the past day or two since Opening Ceremonies... hard to believe, I know.
At work today most everyone was fixated on TVs, watching every and any event they could. There are some channels with no commentary so that whatever station picks it up can add their own language's commentary. Even without any explanation of the events, it was still amazing to be watching the events from just a few kilometers from where they were taking place.
Because the photographers we work with were not at the venues, most likely because they were at the road cycling event, we had very little to do today aside from watch televised events. Thus, we entertained ourselves with watching the Olympics... and creating an Olympics of our own.
Our Olympics included five events: States & Capitals, Hangman, Extreme Tic-Tac-Toe, Pen the Pig and Rock, Paper, Scissors. It was an all day affair, quite competitive also.
After work a few of us went out to dinner and some planned on staying to watch the USA vs. China Men's Basketball game (since coverage at this restaurant was in English). Two of us decided to not stay that late and headed out into the worst... and only thunderstorm... we've seen in Beijing so far. It was a soggy, barefoot run to the subway... and an even soggier, barefoot run from the station to our dorm. All I can say is, drenched to the bone... but so hilarious. Everyone with umbrellas was just looking at the two Americans running barefoot through a thunderstorm, most likely judging us.
And so that's it. I wrung out my clothes and turned on the basketball game which I am watching as I blog right now. Sorry for the tragically uneventful day. Tomorrow is a bit more promising.
At work today most everyone was fixated on TVs, watching every and any event they could. There are some channels with no commentary so that whatever station picks it up can add their own language's commentary. Even without any explanation of the events, it was still amazing to be watching the events from just a few kilometers from where they were taking place.
Because the photographers we work with were not at the venues, most likely because they were at the road cycling event, we had very little to do today aside from watch televised events. Thus, we entertained ourselves with watching the Olympics... and creating an Olympics of our own.
Our Olympics included five events: States & Capitals, Hangman, Extreme Tic-Tac-Toe, Pen the Pig and Rock, Paper, Scissors. It was an all day affair, quite competitive also.
After work a few of us went out to dinner and some planned on staying to watch the USA vs. China Men's Basketball game (since coverage at this restaurant was in English). Two of us decided to not stay that late and headed out into the worst... and only thunderstorm... we've seen in Beijing so far. It was a soggy, barefoot run to the subway... and an even soggier, barefoot run from the station to our dorm. All I can say is, drenched to the bone... but so hilarious. Everyone with umbrellas was just looking at the two Americans running barefoot through a thunderstorm, most likely judging us.
And so that's it. I wrung out my clothes and turned on the basketball game which I am watching as I blog right now. Sorry for the tragically uneventful day. Tomorrow is a bit more promising.
9.8.08
8.8.08.
I don't know if Mom remembers this or not, but I remember watching the 1994 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies in Lillehammer, Norway, and seeing all of the camera flashes from the crowd. I asked her something like, "Mom, if you could go to the Olympics, how many rolls of film do you think you would take?"
Everyone was cheering for everyone, it was beautiful. As soon as the crowd realized there was a pocket of people cheering for a country, they would all join in. When the US flag came on, I went nuts... and was joined by everyone. There were "Go America" chants (in Chinese, even cooler) and tons of applause. It was also interesting when George Bush appeared on screen... and the cheering didn't end, but became sort of muffled and awkward... for sure not a surge in enthusiasm (at least that was my impression of the crowd's reaction).
The atmosphere of where we were just made it that much more amazing. I've honestly been wanting to be in a crazy crowd like this my whole life. And I did it... and it was greater than I could have imagined. Even when people started to shift around and we got all crowded and, for a moment, were practically on top of each other, the whole experience was so full of energy. People were also very polite, even when stepping on each other... and we noticed as we were leaving that ordinary people had formed a sort of human chain, just holding onto each other, to keep a path clear for people to walk. I can't say I could ever see that happening in the States.
(Rolls of film... ha.)
"I don't know, maybe one or two," was her answer... to which my childlike wide-eyed response was, "Really? I think I would take one hundred!"
Tonight I remembered that moment... which I honestly hadn't recalled until now. It's true, I can remember exactly where I was watching those Games. And something about remembering how awestruck I was watching that ceremony fourteen years ago came back to me tonight standing in Wangfujing Plaza.
Five of us decided to opt out of the "watching Opening Ceremonies at a restaurant or bar" option and headed to the streets. All we wanted was to be with the people... all of them... cheering, singing and watching this day they have been waiting for since 2001. Wangfujing Plaza had a giant TV screen, and thus, a giant crowd. We nestled our way into a crowd of mostly Chinese people, but there were people and flags from tons of others. For the first time, I felt the One World, One Dream motto rushing over me. We were all there, packed into a street, watching for our countries' flags to appear on the giant screen... waiting to cheer our hearts out, for our own nations and for each other.
Everyone was cheering for everyone, it was beautiful. As soon as the crowd realized there was a pocket of people cheering for a country, they would all join in. When the US flag came on, I went nuts... and was joined by everyone. There were "Go America" chants (in Chinese, even cooler) and tons of applause. It was also interesting when George Bush appeared on screen... and the cheering didn't end, but became sort of muffled and awkward... for sure not a surge in enthusiasm (at least that was my impression of the crowd's reaction).Obviously the artistic elements of the ceremonies were amazing... no detail was spared in making sure the dancing and performances were gorgeous. Some of the craziest things I have ever seen were on that huge screen tonight. I loved the human Birds Nest and the dancing body calligraphy... but also the people running around the globe... and the drummers... and pretty much the whole thing.
The atmosphere of where we were just made it that much more amazing. I've honestly been wanting to be in a crazy crowd like this my whole life. And I did it... and it was greater than I could have imagined. Even when people started to shift around and we got all crowded and, for a moment, were practically on top of each other, the whole experience was so full of energy. People were also very polite, even when stepping on each other... and we noticed as we were leaving that ordinary people had formed a sort of human chain, just holding onto each other, to keep a path clear for people to walk. I can't say I could ever see that happening in the States.I also can't say I'd see people cheering for so many countries other than our own at home. I probably wouldn't see people chanting, "Sit down please," asking the crowd to all sit so that everyone could have a better view (and get this, it worked). People were smiling at everyone. There was no animosity or people getting annoyed with patriots of other countries. There was just this feeling of a global community... all spread out on a Beijing street.
It's hard to explain it all in words... especially at 2am after standing/sitting in a street for five hours. But those five hours were absolutely filled with the Olympic spirit and energy that I've been anticipating since I arrived. The Games are here. The world is watching. And I'm just spinning around in the middle soaking it all up. I'm so completely thankful for it all.
Lauren and I clinging to each other in Russian/American love while being tossed around like rag dolls.
7.8.08
cycling assets.
Now that the athletes have arrived, hanging out at the velodrome has become exponentially cooler. I spent a good two hours yesterday watching practice... and believe me, it was something to see. When the guys get going the tires make the coolest sound on the track, almost like thunder. I can't wait to hear a real race in there. Not to mention, the bikes they ride cost about one million dollars. Can you imagine? These bikes are so sweet... and light as a feather.
And as you can imagine, athletes are pretty easy on the eyes. The sprinters are super muscular, with giant thighs the size of small children... the distance guys are long and lean. We had no problem staring... especially since most guys in a helmet and sunglasses look pretty darn good (it's a different story when they take that helmet off.) And apparently, one of the Netherlands cyclists had no problem staring either. Christina and I were watching from the top of the second turn, and were the only non-Chinese people in there. All of the Dutch cyclists are riding in a line to warm up, just drafting off each other. Pretty soon, we notice one of the guys in line (one without sunglasses) giving us a glance... a long, extended, "I see you watching me, and I like it" glance. Yum.
After we two girls stopped giggling and smiling they were already around the track again, and sure enough, there was our guy... staring right at us (while still staying in line with his teammates... the old drive and look away trick). Next lap... he's staring... and SMILING. He is for sure looking at us. We are for sure okay with it. This continues a couple more laps and then he's off the track... and we're still giddy with the fact that not only were we a couple meters away from world class cyclists, but one of them was clearly checking out the American volunteers (us).
The other teams we saw were Germany (also attractive), Belgium (also very attractive), Ireland (not so attractive, and only one guy) and Czech Republic (very very attractive). But the silver tuna is still Theo Bos of the Netherlands. He's the handsome one in the bunch... and none of us girls have been shy in claiming him as our cycling crush. In fact, yesterday there may have been an argument of who saw him first.
Germany
Netherlands
Czech out the Czech... from the front... and the back.
The creepy part of this entire situation is that the other Purdue students (the flash quote reporters) have to know everything about these guys. There is this mainframe Olympics stalking facebook-like network that you can look up just about anything on any athlete. Needless to say, there are pictures... which after our little encounter with the Netherlands cyclist, we tried to find out who he was. Pretty unsuccessful, and this is also where we learned that minus helmets and sunglasses, they're far less cute.
Other than creepin' on the cyclists, work was pretty slow. Right now we are really just waiting for the Games to start (tomorrow!) and for things to get into high gear. On the way home on the subway though, as usual I completely passed out into an uncomfortably positioned nap (something with my head leaning back onto the window... looking like a bum). I am woken up a few stops before mine by three adorably rambunctious little girls clamoring for the seat next to me. I smile, and still dazed I get up to offer my seat to them too. All three of their mom's smiled and in English, said "thank you." It was a cute mother-daughter outing, and the three girls were hilarious. One of them was me when I was a child (the girl on the left)... Asian bowl-cut, LOUD, and pretty sassy. And if it weren't for her dress, she might have (as I was) been mistaken for a small Asian boy.
Their moms saw that I was an Olympic volunteer, so I showed them my giant yellow pass that says what my job is... they saw it and explained to the girls... who then took a look themselves. I seriously meet so many kids this way... they love the Olympic pass. I asked one of the moms if she minded if i got a picture... obviously she did not. They were some of my favorite subway friends so far.
But not as disgusting as what would happen later... I was all ready to jump in the shower... towel and all... and I had turned the water on to let it get mildly warm. Without looking, I am inches away from the water, when suddenly I notice it is BLACK. Midnight water was pouring out of our shower (and thus, all over our bathroom). After some exclamation... several people came running down the hall to see what my roommate and I were screaming about. Cameras came out... pictures were taken of this phenomenon. The girls next door turned their shower on... same thing... black as night. Hilarious. I mean really. What do you do when your shower is spouting coffee grounds?
It's fine this morning, but believe me, I am a little nervous about stepping into that shower area after almost being doused in China knows what.And so that was the day. Full of all kinds of surprises.
5.8.08
peanut butter dreams.
This morning I headed out around 9am to get to a 10am yoga class... and just barely made it. Any trip on the subway takes at least 40 minutes. Not always convenient. But finding the studio without difficulty was pretty rewarding and before I knew it, I was gearing up for a fabulous one and a half hour un-air-conditioned yoga session. Let the sweating begin.
The studio was very cool, and is both Chinese and English-speaking, so taking a class was no problem for this American girl. The instructor spoke both... freely switching back and forth as she led the class. The small classroom, as typical of yoga classrooms, was hot. But it was also wall to wall people... it was an interesting way to practice, having people less than six inches from you. I'd say it was successful, I felt great afterward.
I packed up my sweaty self and headed out into the even hotter world. I returned to the tailor and picked out the fabric for my dresses. I'm sure the lady measuring me was really glad I hadn't showered after yoga, but then again, this is a nation of sweaty people. I'm pretty excited to get two (yes, two... I couldn't help myself) new dresses since I have been wearing the same one for every occasion since high school graduation.
After the busy morning, I stopped at Wal-Mart (ew) because it's the only place here that sells peanut butter... and I needed more. I'm trying to watch my money spending (ignore the part about me getting two tailor-made dresses) since I realize that whatever money I have currently has to last me until a real paycheck lands in my hands. I'm not alone in this, though. A lot of us here are turning to PB&J to keep our debit cards in check. But obviously, eating PB&J is no punishment at all... I'd eat it if I was the richest girl in the world.
Actually, now that I think about it... this is my second-and-a-half jar of peanut butter. Within our little community, it's as good as cash. I might start doing all of my deals in PB. Honestly, name another protein-rich food that can be eaten alone or with several other delicious things (bread, crackers, bananas, etc.) and does not require refrigeration. (Excluding tuna, another "I'm broke" favorite of mine, because here tuna is like 1 USD a can... yikes.)
In fact, last night was another midnight birthday celebration. Guess what the candles were in... PB sandwich. No big deal.
I know, I know, seems like a pretty boring day, right? But I'm crossing things off my list of things to do before I leave, and trying to get it done before 8.8.08. Speaking of the Olympics starting this week (!!!!), the influx of white people is huge here. Makes me feel a little less special. It's like I want them to know, "Hey you... you silly white person... I've been here a month! Where have you been?!?!? Yeah, that's right, not here!" I guess I'm a little territorial of China. I know I should share, but it's been fun being the foreigner. I've never been stared at and whispered about so much, and I don't even mind.
I will say, though, I've never been the odd man out in the crowd really. I've never been the stare-ee, the one singled out, the one being talked about on the subway. I'll tell you what... you notice everyone doing it. I can't imagine being that person all the time, especially if the attention was not just out of curiosity. I don't get the feeling that people looking at me are thinking, "Who does this American think she is?" but if they were, I'd feel pretty terrible. I think I understand a little more about how people perceive differences in a crowd; if you've never been the one being stared at... find a group of people completely different than you are, put yourself right in the thick of it, and see how it feels. It's an experience to value, and will for sure change the way you judge and observe others.
The studio was very cool, and is both Chinese and English-speaking, so taking a class was no problem for this American girl. The instructor spoke both... freely switching back and forth as she led the class. The small classroom, as typical of yoga classrooms, was hot. But it was also wall to wall people... it was an interesting way to practice, having people less than six inches from you. I'd say it was successful, I felt great afterward.
I packed up my sweaty self and headed out into the even hotter world. I returned to the tailor and picked out the fabric for my dresses. I'm sure the lady measuring me was really glad I hadn't showered after yoga, but then again, this is a nation of sweaty people. I'm pretty excited to get two (yes, two... I couldn't help myself) new dresses since I have been wearing the same one for every occasion since high school graduation.
After the busy morning, I stopped at Wal-Mart (ew) because it's the only place here that sells peanut butter... and I needed more. I'm trying to watch my money spending (ignore the part about me getting two tailor-made dresses) since I realize that whatever money I have currently has to last me until a real paycheck lands in my hands. I'm not alone in this, though. A lot of us here are turning to PB&J to keep our debit cards in check. But obviously, eating PB&J is no punishment at all... I'd eat it if I was the richest girl in the world.
Actually, now that I think about it... this is my second-and-a-half jar of peanut butter. Within our little community, it's as good as cash. I might start doing all of my deals in PB. Honestly, name another protein-rich food that can be eaten alone or with several other delicious things (bread, crackers, bananas, etc.) and does not require refrigeration. (Excluding tuna, another "I'm broke" favorite of mine, because here tuna is like 1 USD a can... yikes.)
In fact, last night was another midnight birthday celebration. Guess what the candles were in... PB sandwich. No big deal.
I know, I know, seems like a pretty boring day, right? But I'm crossing things off my list of things to do before I leave, and trying to get it done before 8.8.08. Speaking of the Olympics starting this week (!!!!), the influx of white people is huge here. Makes me feel a little less special. It's like I want them to know, "Hey you... you silly white person... I've been here a month! Where have you been?!?!? Yeah, that's right, not here!" I guess I'm a little territorial of China. I know I should share, but it's been fun being the foreigner. I've never been stared at and whispered about so much, and I don't even mind.
I will say, though, I've never been the odd man out in the crowd really. I've never been the stare-ee, the one singled out, the one being talked about on the subway. I'll tell you what... you notice everyone doing it. I can't imagine being that person all the time, especially if the attention was not just out of curiosity. I don't get the feeling that people looking at me are thinking, "Who does this American think she is?" but if they were, I'd feel pretty terrible. I think I understand a little more about how people perceive differences in a crowd; if you've never been the one being stared at... find a group of people completely different than you are, put yourself right in the thick of it, and see how it feels. It's an experience to value, and will for sure change the way you judge and observe others.
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