One World, One dream
My first day started at 3am. My internal sleep clock is all messed up but I don’t care, I’ll sleep another day. Right now, Beijing is awaiting!
Today included waiting in a Police station for about an hour to get a piece of paper that says I’m ‘registered,’ What? My $200 visa isn’t enough? Oh well, it was an interesting experience.
On to a little sightseeing at the Temple of heaven. I must say that the temples in China are way better than our temples back home:) I was expecting huge crowds of foreign tourists but it was mainly Chinese. Where is everyone? Must be checking out women’s volleyball or something.
Walking around the city is fun, I feel like I’m part of the Dream Team. All eyes are on the white boys. People constantly give double takes, probably wondering to themselves which sport I play. I haven’t decided yet which lie to give them, I’m thinking either Water Polo or Badminton.
Big thanks to Joe, he is my new friend/hero/savior. This is not an easy place to navigate if you don’t speak Chinese, Joe speaks Chinese and a lot more. I’m staying with his cousins, Harry and Zhen Zhen. Harry is quiet and timid, Zhen Zhen is the most spunky, temperamental and entertaining Chinese girl I’ve ever met. She is taking her job as Gringo bodyguard seriously, always bargaining our prices and giving taxi drivers attitude. I’d be lost without them.
Chinese food in China is unbelievable! Every plate that is brought out is an explosion of flavors. Sometimes good, sometimes scary but always exciting.. Take chicken hearts on a stick for example, Zhen Zhen chowed them down like candy. “I love Chikren harts!” She says while chewing a mouthful. “You want?” My wimpy American tongue said no, I used the “I’m a vegetarian” excuse.
I’m off now to explore more, stay tuned videos and photos!
I would go with water polo over badminton. I believe that the Chinese are really good at racquet sports. To bad you can only be in Bejing for the first half of the Olympics
Damn cool that your at the Olympics though 