Big Day in Beijing

Today was our busiest day of the trip. We purchased tickets to Tuesday night's games at the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) on Monday night at the official web site. We had heard that they allot a few everyday for purchase for people from a few nations. So our day started early having to locate somewhere to print out our receipt and find our way over to their office to pick the tickets up in person. From there, we hoped to find a cab driver who spoke some English for a hour ride to the Great Wall (Badaling). We devised a plan to catch a cab to the Forbidden City where many English speaking students ask you to pay them to give you a tour. However, our first cab's driver was fun and spoke some English pretty well. He agreed to take us and we were on our way to the "country side" (a word we taught him). I am going to post a photo (maybe a video of us talking later). Beautiful scenery heading up to the steep mountains in Badaling where tourists usually see the GW. With the Olympics here, there were a large number of foreigners as well as Chinese on the Wall. Walking on the Wall is very steep as it matches the terrain of the top of the mountains. It was also very hot and humid which was exhausting. In a matter of moments I was soaked in sweat. It was exciting to be there and we took some good shots as well as candid ones.

From the GW, we returned to the room to eat and shower before heading to the National Stadium, affectionately called Bird's Nest, and to take in the Olympic Green which also has the National Aquatics Center (the Cube) and the National Indoor Stadium (Basketball, etc). This huge area is secured from the visitors such that to enter you had to have a ticket to an event for that day. On the same property is the athletes quarters. Security is tight. 

The actual grounds and facilities are incredible. I wold love to see the plans for the property and facilities and shapshots of how it all came together. The vastness of size, the ability to handle the crowd securely considering all who would want to visit, all of it was well planned and is a source of much pride among the people. We were able to go into our games (Athletics or Track and Field) in the Bird's Nest. We were able to see USA athletes receive their Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in a sweep and see the flags raised to the National Anthem. We saw many events as well. Incredibly exciting night was had by all. Seeing the Olympic flame and realizing that we saw the opening ceremony from home while sharing a cook out meal with my discipleship group a week and a half ago was really cool.

More later but now to a softball semi-final...USA vs Japan.  GO USA!!