Olympics...Wow!

Ok...ok...I know Olympic fever is over, but I had a hectic week so I'm just now getting around to posting about my Olympic experience.

Those of you that know me know that I am not a sports person. I don't like watching sports, I don't particularly like doing sports with a few limited exceptions. Sports are just not my thing.

Sitting in the second row on the ground-level of the Bird's Next was amazing! I had a perfect view of the javelin, a distant, but clear view of the women's high jump and a perfect view of the track (or at least my side of it). Unfortunately I didn't think to bring a camera so I can't show you exactly what it looked like from my point of view.



Javlin was especially exciting. The Norwegian gold-medalist defended his Olympic title. His family was sitting just behind me. He came over to greet them and pick up the flag he carried on his victory lap just feet from where I was sitting. How often do we get to be that close to a world class athlete?!

I really thought I'd just stay for an hour or so, because, after all, how often do you live in the Olympic city? You ought go to something just for the experience. It was so riveting I couldn't tear myself away until the last event was over. What an experience!

In fact, I had passingly more contact with Olympians and their families than most people. We live in easy walking distance from the Olympic Village (just down the street) and our complex was full of people here for the Olympics, most related in some way - a member of the US wrestling team, the wife of a US track coach and her friends, a member of the US State Department here in an official capacity. For a few weeks it was pretty lively around here. The apartments are all empty once again and it's back to life as usual.

Signing off from Beijing...