In exactly 24 hours from right now we are scheduled to be taking off from Beijing Capital International Airport en route back to the United States. It's a difficult feeling to describe because I feel as if I have learned so much about myself as well as a culture that is so different and yet so similar to the one that I grew up in.

When I first arrived in Beijing, the culture shock was indescribable. There are so many little things about China that are just so different from America. Nothing was familiar and I had to be incredibly flexible in order to fully adapt to life here. However, when I finally was able to adjust to the ways of Beijing, I was able to have the most incredible experiences of my life.

One of the best moments of my time here came during the opening ceremonies of the 2008 games. I was standing outside of the National Stadium waiting for all of the athletes to start the long procession into the stadium when I struck up a conversation with a 19 year old student at Beijing Foreign Studies University. The conversation began as any other. "Where are you from?" "What are you doing for the Olympics?" "Who's your favorite NBA player?" etc. etc. 

When the athletes started marching by we started talking about our expectations for the Olympics and how excited we were to get the games started. He was so proud for China to be hosting its first ever Olympics and was so honored to have world class athletes from all over the planet in his city for the first time. I told him that this was my first time in China as well and how honored I was to be so welcomed here and to be given the opportunity to volunteer at the Olympics. 

The fireworks started shooting out of the top of the Bird's Nest and more athletes came walking by. I was unable to conceal my excitement and looking around at everyone else on the Olympic Green, they weren't either. I turned to my new friend and told him, "This is the greatest thing I have ever seen!" I will never forget what he responded with. He simply smiled and replied, "Welcome to China."

The Olympics is an interesting experience. It causes so many problems for the host city, but at the same time can do wonderful things for it as well. As China emerges as a superpower among nations, the spectacular success of the 2008 Olympic games will be such an important aspect of its emergence. While I was here in Beijing to work, I did more learning. I learned about myself. I learned about so many other people. I learned about another country. I learned about more things than I can even count. For the past two months, Beijing was the most amazing, interesting, fun, and watched city on the planet. I am so honored to have been even a tiny part of the Beijing Games of the 29th Olympiad.

After years of planning, hard work and dedication the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is over. Today was a weird day in Beijing. People were walking around much quieter with their heads down. It seems as though the whole city is in a bit of a shock. What do we do now that it's over? Especially for me and the rest of us here at IC we wonder what is the city going to do now that the games are over? Yeah we all understand that life will go on. The Games weren't the only thing going on in Beijing. It just seems weird to me for there to be a Beijing without the Olympics. 

In a way I am sad to think about leaving the city in two days. It has been such a journey and adventure for me here. I have learned so much about my own strengths and weaknesses as well and as the strengths and weaknesses of my friends and classmates. I wrote in an article earlier this trip that I came here one person and I am leaving another. I have been able to meet people from around the world - all kinds of people. The Olympics is the most global event I have ever experienced and the memories and relationships I made here will stay with me forever. I have never been more proud of myself as when I reached the top of the Great Wall of China. I have never rejoiced as much as when the American Sabre women swept the podium. And I have never felt such pangs of sadness as when China's favourite athlete injured himself before his race even began. This has been an incredible experience for me. At times I have been frustrated and upset with the differences in cultures. Others I have been horribly homesick and mad that I had to be here for two whole months. But now with just two days left to go I have nothing but good memories and friendships to hold on to. 

Knowing that I am only 21 years-old and I have already worked at one of the most influential and important events in the world is astonishing. This trip is only the jumping off point for myself and everyone else here. I know that I will always look back on this trip with a smile on my face. I also know that no matter what I do with my life, career wise and personally I will use lessons I learned while here in Beijing. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to come and experience the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and I can only thank those who helped me get here. 

My job as a fencing flash quote reporter finished on August 16th so I had a lot of free time on my hands to experience Beijing both during the day and at night.  So after a little bit of exploring and spending many a Chinese Yuan, we heard about a few places that all of the athletes and celebrities like to go to at night.  The three places that came up the most were the Volkswagen house, the Heineken (Dutch) house, and Budweiser’s "Club Bud”. Sponsors during the Olympics really make it their job to market their product in the best way possible.  Many have set up interactive buildings all over the Olympic green to market, while these three decided to go a different route.  The “houses" and "clubs" are set up to give the athletes a place to celebrate their wins, cheer up after their losses, meet other athletes, and just have a good time by relieving themselves of the pressures of competition.

So after some deliberating about which place to go to, a few others and I decided that Club Bud sounded like the most fun.  Club Bud was originally a part of the Beijing Agricultural Exhibition Center which Budweiser rented out for the games and turned it into one of the hottest places to go in Beijing.  When you walk in on your left is the dancing aspect of the club with loud pumping music courtesy of a DJ. It has a huge dance floor with podiums placed on the perimeter of it where people who want to show off a little bit more of their moves (or lack there of) can dance. Across the way is a lounge area, with yet another DJ, plush sofas and a special V.I.P spot in the middle. Through the lounge guests can reach an outdoor terrace, complete with pool, another DJ, love seats all around, and artificial grass and rocks to give the feel of a real outdoor tropical experience.

This all sounded great to me however the problems I had were that I didn't have a ticket into the club, I was not a celebrity, and being an Ithaca College Intramural Sports Champion didn't quite count as being an athlete.  But after my opening ceremonies experience marching with team USA and finding my way into seats five rows from the court at a USA basketball game ( courtesy of Dr. Guan), I thought that nothing had stopped me from doing what seemed impossible beforehand so why would it start now?

I headed over to Club Bud at around 11 P.M. because the doors had opened at 9 and everybody knows that the important athletes and celebrities always come late to things like this so they can make as big of an entrance as possible.  Upon arriving at the gate I started thinking of a game plan about how to get in. I stood outside the gate waiting for something to come, when finally it did.

A few of us briefly started a conversation with an Australian guy waiting outside and mentioned how difficult it is to get in and how I tried to get tickets but had fallen short.  He said his buddy was an Australian rower and was coming out to get him in and could probably get us in as well; bingo!  As his friend the rower walked towards the gate and was talking to security, the Australian guy helping us yelled, “Hey, four Americans too.”  The somewhat puzzled rower quickly caught on and pointed the four of us out to come in as well.  Once through security we thanked both of them for their help and headed into the club.

After a few hours of wandering around, the mood of the club shifted with some new arrivals. In walked Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Matt Grevers, Cullen Jones and a few other friends and teammates from USA swimming. They walked straight into the V.I.P. area so they wouldn’t be bothered as much. The problem with this was that the V.I.P area was smack in the middle of the lounge with only some rope to block it off.  It basically put Michael Phelps and company on show as a spectacle.  Everyone in the club had surrounded him on all four sides taking pictures of him with flashes everywhere.  He motioned to his friend that he he wanted to get out of there and they left for a V.I.P corner on the outside terrace.  

The night ended with a few of us eventually sneaking into that area and snapping some great photos of Mr. Phelps. As the club was closing and Phelps was leaving I managed a quick handshake with him to congratulate him ( Brant somehow got two handshakes).  All in all the night was pretty amazing and we got to meet some cool people, and we eventually got tickets for 2 more nights where we met and saw people like softballer Jennie Finch, volleyballer Kerri Walsh, boxer Evander Holyfield and soccer player Ronaldhino.  What an end do a great Olympic experience.

The news has just been posted on the internet: FLASH: S. WANSIRU OF KENYA WINS MEN'S MARATHON GOLD MEDAL AT BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES AT 2:06:32

It is 10:00 PM (EDT) in Cortland, New York.  I have just spent the last three hours watching NBC's coverage of the men's marathon, traditionally the last event of the Olympic Games.  It's been 35 years since I ran my last competitive marathon, but I still get excited (and nervous) when I can watch this great test of endurance.  This time, I will know the Olympic course route. The race will cover ground I walked on two weeks ago.

This is going to be a difficult race.  At the start, it is already 76 degrees and the humidity is over 50%.  Even worse, it is sunny.  As the race progresses I am impressed that NBC has somehow managed to keep Bob Costas unseen and unheard.  The race is actually being called by competent announcers who respect all the athletes, thus their description is remarkably free of the painfully obvious jingoism of the previous 14 days.

What is surpising (and sad) is how few people are lined up along the marathon course.  The Chinese fans are supportive of all the athletes, but this event deserves more.  As Wansiru enters the secure area near the Bird's Nest, the cameras show just how few people are on the Olympic Green and the stadium is only half full.

As Wansiru runs the last few meters before entering the stadium, my eye catches one incredibly ridiculous American at the fence separating the athletes from the others.  This young man, in his YALE t-shirt and sun glasses, is jumping up and down pointing to himself, preening for the camera.  Wansiru, who is only 21, actually gives this foolish tourist a look of disdain.  The moment is gone in a flash. I will remember it forever.

The marathon, in spite of the modern commodified sporting envrionment, always seems to rise above it all and state simply the creed of all legitimiate athletics: "It's not the triumph, but the struggle."  But this moment last only a heartbeat.  After all, the closing ceremony is only 12 hours away and the Olympians have to be pushed aside for the staging and the lighting and marking for China's (and the IOC's) next opportunity for self promotion and advertisement.  There are bills to be paid, ratings to be achieved, target audiences to be reached.

It will all be over in less than a day.

Sadly, "no one" will watch that next great Olympic Festival, the Paralympics, starting a week from now in the same venues. Here in the United States we will have moved on . . . the baseball season is winding down and, even more importanty, we are READY for some football.

Sumbitted for Stephen Lauer . . . our University of Maryland student.

Today, I visited a friend on the other side of the city, where she promised to show me the “real China.”  After an hour and a half of travel, I left the Subway #1 line and transferred onto the Ba Tong line, where, for the first time since the start of the Olympics, I remained as the only foreigner on the train.

Leaving the train station, we walk down a few fairly empty roads before coming to a large intersection.  One side of the road is lined with rubble, after asking I learn that a couple years ago they were restaurants and small businesses that were torn down to widen the road, but with all the construction for the Olympics, more urgent projects took priority.  “This part of Beijing has been forgotten,” she says, “foreigners don’t come here, so China doesn’t care about it.”

We stop in a small noodle restaurant.  I mean really small.  I can see inside the kitchen to the left, next to the wall is a table with bowls full of noodles and sauces, four tables take up the rest of the space.  The noodles are served cold and are delicious, they are a little spicy and there is bread and vegetables mixed in to add more flavor.  The waiter and the owner of the restaurant sit at another table talking, one third of the seats are now taken.

As we head towards her university, we turn down an alley called a hutong.  Hutongs are neighborhoods that house families in very small quarters, some of which are connected to whichever small business that family owns.  This particular hutong is fairly recent, each house is separate and some have an upper floor.  In other parts of Beijing, there are hutongs that have housed families for as long as 700 years.

After touring the university campus, which was pretty and fairly normal, we headed into Wangfujing to see some more hutongs.  Getting off the train again, I ask if we got off at the wrong stop, “this is the Oriental Plaza,” nope we’re at the right place.  Weaving through crowds of tourists, kids playing games, and street performers, we come to a large beautiful hotel.  Turning the corner, directly behind the hotel, there are many cinder block-esque looking buildings that seemingly house people.  On the wall, a sign reads, “a new neighborhood, for the Olympics.”

A couple turns later and we are surrounded by hutongs.  These are from the communist era, each hutong houses four families, each with equal sized living areas and a shared open air kitchen/common area in the middle.  The people seem to be rather content, sitting on steps in front of their house or business and biking through the narrow alleys with large loads.  On a wall there is Chinese letters sprayed onto the wall by the government.  My friend translates them for me, “the faster you leave, the faster you receive money,” “leave for better health and a better society,” “thank you for your sacrifice for the Olympics,” and “remodel the neighborhood for the good of the Olympics.”  One of the two Chinese letters that make the word remodel literally means “destroy.”

We poke our heads into hutong after hutong to see what they look like on the inside.  On the way out of one, a Chinese man says “hello” and approaches on his bike.  We apologize for entering his house, but he says it is no problem and asks for us to come in.  There are four buildings on each wall of the house, but they are very small compared to the wide open area in the middle.  There are four or five birds in cages and tomato plants springing forth from the ground, the place has a very peasant feel to it.  But the man seems very modern, he wears a clean white shirt and nice shorts, he speaks very expressively using gestures and animated facial expressions that help me try to understand.  My friend chuckles early on but says “oh-no” a couple times and holds her face is obvious disappointment.  She summarizes her conversation, “the government wants him to move out of his home.  He doesn’t want to leave, he’s lived there for 23 years with his mother and he is bringing his daughter up here.  The money they’re offering him isn’t enough for him to pay for another house in Beijing.  He says ‘I’m not going to leave until they give me enough money to live here.’”  At that point he speaks directly to me for the first time, he smiles and laughs during his comment, but I hear “megua” a few times and its hard for me to look him in the eye.  “He asked if you are American, ‘you look American.’”

It’s hard to believe that I have been here for a month now. It feels so far away from the day we arrived in the near empty airport, filled mostly with tourists, national guards, and Olympic officials.  My fellow classmates and I have indulged in some of the finest restaurants, tourist sites and cultural venues that Beijing has to offer. We have completed our training as flash quote reporters and are well acquainted with our individual venue sites, and fellow colleagues among the Olympic News Service. I was assigned to handball. After a long day of mix zones, rushed interviews, and press conferences, with only a brief rest in between I was only too happy to have the day off today. I slept in and then picked up my final gifts at Wafujing (a shopping area very close in appearance to NY's Times Square) for family and loved ones back at home. It is not clear if my busy schedule will permit me to do so in the future.

I have decided to end the night by watching the much anticipated, CHINA vs. USA Basketball game. Upon the arrival of the opening ceremony Beijing has endured countless criticisms of being the hosting country for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Many of these criticisms include human rights issues, safety, and mainly air quality.  Prior to watching the game, CCTV (Beijing's television network) aired a segment on the measures that China has been taking towards making Beijing into the kind of city that meets the standards of the world.  During this segment CCTV stated that capital owned iron and steel (as well as other companies) moved to the suburbs in 2002. Furthermore the reporter leading the segment stated that the move of these companies has resulted in a drastic improvement in the city’s air quality. Now that the games have actually begun, Beijing still remains under close surveillance. As I watch the basketball game, I noticed that that the USA, (though still in the lead during the third quarter) faces a lot of pressure in doing so. As a spectator one could assume that close ups of star players such as Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, missing several free throws in a row, is the result of the stress that comes from playing against the hosting country. However as a spectator one can also assume that the stress that team China might be feeling may come from more than possibly losing their chance at a gold Medal.

Tonight’s basketball game as does the entire Olympic games, seems to be more of China’s opportunity to display itself to the world as a country that is improving itself in many elements, hopefully to a level equal of the United States. As a student who has been practically living here (or as close as a student can get as a participant in a study abroad program) for the past month, I have noticed various advertisements that have served as promotions of Chinese products and campaigns to encourage western companies to continue alliances with China after the Olympics have ended. These advertisemens among other things have further confirmed this notion.  Even the new station that Beijing has opened to create easy access to the Olympic venues is said to be the beginning of what by the next decade, China hopes to be the largest transit system in the world.  Now nearing the end of the fourth quarter with the USA national team is maintaining an astounding thirty five point lead, the crowd continues to encourage the home team, and fans hope for a miracle.  But hey I’m no political analyst, I’m not even economist, I am simply a spectator watching the most anticipated basketball game of the preliminaries from the comfort of my dorm, so what would I know  Perhaps it is all just a game.

With the help of Michelle from ONS, Professor Annemarie Farrell and Dr. Guan got us tickets to watch the Beach Volleyball competitions today. I've never seen the sport, or even knew that it was an olympic sport until I started to research more about the Olympics before going on this trip. According to NBC's Olympics 2008 web page, the sport is one of the most popular sport events at the Olympics. 

So I do know very little about this sport. The Olympics gave me my first exposure to this sport. I must admit that I actually thought the sport was similar to regular volleyball in that there was a larger team of players. Much to my surprise, a beach volleyball team is composed of only two members. 

It is located at the National Indoor Stadium venue. Despite the fact that our start of the day was cloudy mixed in with a few rain showers, the stadium was packed with spectators. I felt that much like water polo, this sport's matches went by really fast. Finally, by the afternoon, the sun came out and helped create an even greater Beach Volleyball atmosphere.  A sunny, clear day with sand always helps! 

We watched many matches, including a men's match between Angola and Australia. I thoroughly enjoyed watching every match and was so happy I got a ticket. If I had to decide on my favorite match, it would have to be the China vs. Belgium women's match. Sure, I'm working as a flash quotes reporter at the Olympics but I still try to find the time to watch and catch a few games live. 

As a result, I've run into a minor problem these days. I always have a hard time figuring out if I should cheer for the USA or China. Being Chinese-American, it can be hard to decide. This was the case for yesterday's terrific, exciting Olympics basketball game between USA and China. It felt like the entire Beijing Sport University campus (where Ithaca College is staying) was watching every minute of the game. 

I could hear Chinese people repeatedly chanting, "Jia you! Jia you! Zhong Guo jia you!". Translated in English, this Chinese phrase literally means "Add oil, add oil, China keep adding oil!". This popular phrase used in sports games essentially means for a team or athlete to do better and to keep going for a victorious result.  

At today's beach volleyball match between China and Belgium, Chinese spectators were loudly chanting this very phrase and encouraging the two Chinese women to win the match, which they did. China, much like America, is a proud and patriotic nation. It is very interesting to exhibit the undeniable happiness and pride that Chinese citizens have for their nation hosting the Olympics. From the Olympics 08 face paint to the enthusiastic claps and cheers for athletes, China is constantly supporting their athletes. It is something I highly admire about this nation. I've been clapping and cheering too! 

So last night was 08.08.08, which meant that the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games have finally commenced.  And what a night it was! Cory and I decided that we wanted to go to the Olympic Green and hopefully try to witness this historic event! We decided to take Line 13 starting at Shangdi Station just to transfer at Zhichinlu to get on Line 10 that would take us right around the Olympic Green.  We got off at Beitucheng and were we surprised with what we saw as we exited the station.  Policemen, army patrol officers, and other security personnel greeted us in full force.  We asked the first military officer as to if our credentials would be sufficient into getting us onto the Olympic Green.  He said they would be, but he led us in the completely opposite direction of the National Stadium.  So then, we decided to ask the next military officer and he allowed to cross the roped off street.  We saw hundreds of people just waiting patiently for the abundance of fireworks that were going to be launched from the National Stadium.  We got to the main road, where yet again we met with another military officer and we thought our night was done.  He would not allow us to continue our journey to the Olympic Green even though we had our upgrade card.  We told us flat out "NO" and told us to walk to the side of the street.  We were then greeted by volunteers to go through the security tent to get to Line 8 which is just for the Olympic Green.  We passed through security and rode the subway right to just about the National Stadium.  It was about 8:00 pm and the Opening Ceremonies was going to start at 8:08 pm for very obvious reasons! We were stunned that we made it through.  There were basically just volunteers on the Olympic Green for they had access just like we did.  Fireworks started shooting up out of the Bird's Nest!  It was the most amazing sight I have ever seen.  I took so many pictures!  Then the countries lined up for a parade to go to National Stadium starting from the National Indoor Stadium, where gymnastics and the handball finals are being held.  Greece started the procession because of their connection to the starting of the Olympics many years ago.  Then, every country had their athletes proceed into the stadium.  There were around 200 countries present!  We saw every athlete possible with the exception of the football players and equestrian riders because their events do not take place in Beijing until much later in the Olympics.  Then, we saw Dr. Guan marching with Team USA basketball!  We were in much disbelief because we had no idea how he got there and still don't.  After that, we decided to gamble to see if we could get into the National Indoor Stadium with our passes.  We ran as fast as we could and were granted immediate access.  We rushed up the stairs and to our delight Mr. Yao Ming was in front of Team China's procession.  We spoke to him briefly before he exited with the People's Republic of China's flag!  We even received official Team China pins from their delegation! Unbelievable!  We also met briefly other Chinese basketball superstar Yi Jianlian!  We were just steps away from these athletes.  What a night to remember!

We spent a majority of the past couple days in training with the BOCOG, but I will leave this to the handball, fencing and water polo “bloggers.”

The most exciting part of this week, of course aside from the long lectures we had to sit through for our training, has been the time we spent at the pearl market.  In case you have never heard of a pearl market, its name naturally comes from the extensive selection of pearls that are traded within this giant market place.  Although this is what the market is known for, a majority of it is occupied by a myriad of salespeople selling all kinds of goods from watches and cell phones to sneakers and suits and much more.

What makes this experience so exciting is the haggling that you must perform in order to get what you want at the cheapest possible price.  This was nothing I have ever experienced before because of how ruthless and argumentative some of these merchants can be.  Multiple times I had my arm grabbed and squeezed tightly by a random lady trying to pressure me into purchasing a wallet or a pair of shoes.  Deciding that I could not come to this market without working on my bartering skills, I bought a Rolex watch by talking the woman down from 400Yuan to 100Yuan.  Now if you do the math, you would be able to tell that I bought this Rolex, or “folex” as most of you may call it since its authenticity is definitely compromised, for a mere $15.

As someone who has never spent more than a half hour shopping at one time, I could not be more excited to check out one of the other pearl markets in Beijing for the entertainment of haggling and intense atmosphere.

At the main entrance to Beijing Sport University less than 100 yards from each other are the statues of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement and the International Olympic Committee’s president from (1896-1924), and Mao Zedong,  cultural revolutionary and leader of the People's REpublic of China from its establishment in 1949, until his death in 1976.

Understandably these two leaders share space (both physical and cultural) in China’s most important university of physical education and sport culture.  But, two stranger bedfellows could not be found anywhere in the sporting landscape.

If we consider the political universe in terms of a continuum, Zedong represents as far to the left as imaginable and de Coubertin, as far to the right.  Last week, when a Korean television station secretly videotaped an opening ceremony rehearsal, the New York Times linked its readers to the video via YouTube with the question, “Vaguely fascist?”  (If you try to find the video today, you will receive an error message.)

Now, the word fascism is almost never associated with communism, but it is often associated with the modern Olympic Movement, so here is the Webster’s definition of the word:  “often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime . . . that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.”

If that seems to define China today (with its control of free expression and overt use of the Olympic Games to celebrate itself), it also defines the Olympic movement (with its arbitrary rules about eligibility and doping).

Lately, wile riding the subway aware I am the only white person in the crowd, I’ve been thinking about Western concepts of continua and how politically the terms “left” and “right” stand in opposition.  But I’ve also been teasing in my mind the proposition, “What if we bent the straight line of the continuum until the ends met each other and formed a circle . . . a ring, if you will?”  Then, the terms left and right take on a different sense, and the further one goes to the left and the right, the closer one comes to a collision or melting point.  And what results is a strange mixture of overlapping and oppositional positions.

To support this idea, I’ve assembled below a sort-of “dueling-banjos-point-and-counterpoint” of quotations of both Zedong and de Coubertin:

de Couberetin:  L'important n'est pas de gagner, mais de participer. (The important thing is not to win, but to take part.)

Zedong::  I have witnessed the tremendous energy of the masses. On this foundation it is possible to accomplish any task whatsoever.

de Couberetin:  A country can truly call itself sporting when the majority of its people feel a personal need for sport.

Zedong:  The people, and the people alone, are the motive force in the making of world history.

de Couberetin:  In the Olympic Oath, I ask for only one thing: sporting loyalty

Zedong:  There are two kinds of personality cults. One is a healthy personality cult, that is, to worship men like Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin. Because they hold the truth in their hands. The other is a false personality cult, i.e. not analyzed and blind worship.

de Couberetin:  The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.

Zedong:  There is in fact no such thing as art for art's sake, art that stands above classes, art that is detached from or independent of politics. Proletarian literature and art are part of the whole proletarian revolutionary cause.

de Couberetin:  The Olympic Games were created for the exhaltation of the individual athlete.

Of course, rhetoric is just that.  What matters, is action.  de Coubertin is also quoted as saying, “All sports for all people,” “Sport must be accessible to working class youth,” and “Sport must be the heritage of all men and of all social classes.” All of which adds up to nothing given that eligibility rules in his Olympic Games prevented any working class person from participating in them.  de Coubertin’s Olympics were for, him, his friends and the independently wealth class.  China’s participation in the Olympic Movement since the cultural revolution has always sought to identify any individual in its vast population who can demonstrate its system, its way of life is better.

Consider the following excerpts from a recent New York Times article:  “For ordinary Chinese, even if they can’t really articulate it, they feel the Olympics are a very important opportunity for China to demonstrate state power,” Mr. Lu said. “They are not looking for die-hard ideologues. They want to co-opt people into their system. And they’ve been far more successful than people realize.”  “The patriotism movement is a result of the development of the Internet.”  “Nationalism and patriotism mean love your country,” said Mr. Zhng, the political analyst. “The Communist Party was so clever because they linked nationalism to loving the party. They said the party was the same as the country.”  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/sports/olympics/07nationalism.html?_r=1&ref=olympics&oref=slogin

So, when I watch the opening ceremonies tomorrow night (probably with a crowd of BSU students in front of the huge screen TV hung above the main cafeteria), I will be considering them not as an artistic expression of a culture, but as an advertisement for a political position.  And I will also be thinking about the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games and the blatant politicizing of a post 9/11 America.

And when I depart Beijing for home on Saturday, I will be thinking, “The more thing change, the more they stay the same.”

"One world, One Dream," indeed.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are only a few hours from starting and everything seems to be running just as planned. The Olympic Green has come together quite nicely, the public transportation is operating smoothly, and everyone seems more than excited for the games to begin.

Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Tyson Gay, and Misty May-Treanor have all arrived in Beijing, China in hope of bringing home a collection of Olympic gold medals. Along with the large number of American athletes that have arrived in Beijing another important American that has arrived is President Bush. President Bush has come to Beijing to enjoy the competition, but more notably he has come to China to discuss human rights as well as other issues with Chinese President Hu Jintao. President Bush is pushing for China to make drastic changes in human rights and labor rights as well as many other affairs. Bush has continually made criticism about human rights in China, and it should be interesting to see how this issue will pan out during his stay. Bush will be attending the opening ceremonies as well as the U.S.-China basketball game. Embarrassing the Chinese leaders will probably be President Bush’s last goal but antagonizing a country about human rights during an Olympic games might be an embarrassment in itself.

We will all be watching closely to see how these two very different presidents come together to discuss a wide range of issues during a period of high emotions for the Chinese.

The feeling is in the air. Excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty as a city, nation, and world prepares for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At a quick glance, it seems that everyone in the city cannot wait for the show to start. Around the Olympic Green, I have been stopped by local Beijing residents asking to pose for pictures with them. On the subway, I have been interrogated by other riders about what exactly I'm doing for the Games, where I am from and how long I am staying.

Even the taxi drivers are getting excited. Traveling through the city in a cab yesterday with two friends, our cap driver pointed out the window at the Bird's Nest as we drove by and from what I could understand yelled out, "OLYMPICA OLYMPICA NOW!!!!" 

And every single day no matter what time it is there are hordes of people outside the fences taking photos of the venues. It's all anyone ever talks about. It's almost as if the Beijing we arrived in a month ago has disappeared and it is turning into a huge theme park that could be called "Olympic Land." 

It's an exciting time to be here, as China is looking to fully break out as a major world power and make a big splash on the world's stage. Hopefully a smooth Olympics will give them the boost they need. This Olympics is really one of the most important games in recent times and it's unbelievably surreal to actually be a part of it. But for now, life goes on as usual in Olympic Land.

Metaphorically speaking, this quote essentially tells us that without bad days, there will be no good days. But what if you didn’t have to perceive them as bad days? What if everyday was a good day?

Raining heavily in Beijing—almost feeling like fifty years worth of rain—decided to celebrate with us for the one-digit countdown till the Olympics! Watching the numbers slowly decline everyday—reminded by every corner, every store and every screen, it feels like I have finally reached something with my own hands and actually touched it. Although I must admit that the feeling is still surreal.

Life in Beijing…as the topic introduces me into some form of “report” back about our everyday life. I have gotten very far from day one, is my first comment about this topic. I have attempted to learn a little more Chinese rather than shoving my ruler and making people adjust to me and my culture, lifestyle and language. Gradually, I am getting used to the whole system, the simple things that I experience on a daily in Beijing, China. Without missing home, I am appreciating what I have been given here, not only this incredible chance to partake in the Beijing Olympics, but as part of a life changing opportunity.

As I am soaked through the bucket of rainfall all around Beijing area, after my nice little dinner with a classmate, I realize that I have never appreciated rain so much in my life. Thank goodness I had my bikini underneath, it almost felt as if indoor pool down, outdoor pool here I come! Without being pessimistic or upset about the situation, I take the subway whilst I squeeze water out of my soaked basketball shorts—as I do everyday after I wash my clothes in the sink. (Just a little bit of information of how we are living hereJ) About a mile walk on campus from the gate to the actual dorm, it felt like I was walking by the beach. Without any hesitation of the language barrier (although I happen to look Chinese) or fear of approaching anyone, a twenty-year-old student from BSU decides to hold up his umbrella as he leads me into the shallower sidewalk. As soon as he realizes that I speak no Chinese, he puts on a worried smile for future conversations. With his “broken English” (as he says) and my very slow and easy words, we enjoy the ten-minute conversation back to the dorm. He happened to live across the street from me. (Thank goodness he didn’t have to go out his way to walk me home.) I have never been so carefree to walk in the rain. He walked me all the way home making sure that I did not get wet or slip. There is always a rainbow after the rain. In fact, you can have a rainbow during the rain as well. 謝謝。 

Mario

Beijing is a vibrant, bustling city full of energetic, optimistic people.  It is almost impossible to be in Beijing and not feel the promising future for China and its people.

Beijing Sport University’s campus reflects the larger city.  It is always busy and seems to be growing by the minute.  Construction is everywhere.

But . . . if one takes the time to look more deeply, it becomes clear that all of China and its people are at a crossroad.  In its rush to join the 21^st century, many people in China feel a great anxiety and confusion about their role.

The attached photo captures, I think, this anxiety.  Next to the discarded can used to pour the surface of the new tennis courts is a broom unlike any I have ever seen.  The stark contrast of polymers and twigs suggests to me that perhaps China is too eager to join the future and much of what is being discarded is too valuable to lose.

BSU’s athletic facilities are world class and the campus is beautiful, but it is kept world class and beautiful by a small army of laborers working by hand.  In the U.S. machines are used to make these tasks easier.

As the Olympic Games approach, BSU is housing a multitude of Olympic volunteers and security personnel.  Every morning several thousand young adult volunteers disperse from BSU to a variety of sites throughout the city (subways, city intersections, cultural venues and shopping areas) and become a total of over a million volunteers helping visitors make their way throughout the confusion of a city of almost 20 million people.  Since BSU is also housing several Olympic teams, security is extremely tight.  Pleasant guards are posted at every building but much of the campus is off limits to all except those with credentials.   I must show my photo ID to gain entrance to the campus.

Out in the city, security is also present with about 450,000 individuals performing a variety of tasks.  All bags are electronically scanned at subway stations.  Increasingly more armed security personnel are appearing every day.  Helicopters now patrol the air over the Olympic venues.  

But, something is missing.  All major construction is suspended and several million migrant laborers have left the city.  Homeless people have disappeared.  Many others have gone on holiday. 

All of this makes Beijing feel to me like a visit to Disneyland.  Everybody is overtly helpful and everybody is overtly friendly, but I feel that this is not real.

Today, on the subway, a child reached to feel a FUWA (an Olympic mascot) ornament hanging from an IC’s student’s backpack.  The child was curious and smiling and her mom was nurturing and polite.  A few feet away a professional woman glared at this incident.  Her eyes pierced my soul.  Her stone-faced expression clearly communicated that I was not welcome, that I was a disturbance.  She remained focused on me and my companion for several minutes. 

It seemed clear to me that she couldn't wait for me (and all the others) to leave, so she could have her Beijing, her China, back.

I was fortunate enough to win a ticket to the first rehearsal of the opening ceremony, earlier this week. Words cannot express how amazing it was. In watching it, it’s extremely apparent that China is actively trying to show the world the “softer” side of the country. A large amount of time was devoted to the children of the world and China’s children – a topic that always seems to please.

However, my favorite parts of the ceremony include constructing the Bird’s Nest out of PEOPLE and some crazy-awesome drumming routines that included hundreds of people, in traditional dress, all playing in perfect unison.

China is . . . China. I don’t think I have to explain how much of a culture-shock it’s really been being here, as I’m positive a million blogs before me have explained. The only complaint I really have is that I would very much enjoy my “personal space bubble” back. It’s my hope that for the rest of my life, I will not have to stand on a bus for an hour, pressed against other sweaty people with their belongings poking me in my various limbs.

I, do, however, love the food. As, again, explained before this blog by others, my favorite restaurant in Beijing is called Master Kong Chef’s Noodles. I hope that’s what it’s called, at least, otherwise you’re going to go to Beijing and be unable to find this restaurant and it’ll be all my fault. That’s what I get for trying to be nice. Anyway, I’m in love with their beef noodle soup and decided to be brave tonight and try the spicy version. Considering I add tons of chili oil to my soup anyway, this seemed like the next logical step.

I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

You know how you think “spicy + spicy = spicy?” I’m here to tell you that’s not the case. In fact, “spicy + spicy = OHMYGODMYFACEISMELTINGOFF.”

But because it’s beyond delicious, I ate almost that entire bowl anyway.

Well, that’s my China. I hope yours (if you ever visit) is similarly engaging.

   I can now proudly say that I have experienced all types of public transportation here in Beijing.  The first experience was in taxi cab which was an adventure in itself just to flag one down. Next was trying to tell the driver where to go, and if you don’t have a business card or a fellow Ithaca College student who can speak Chinese good luck.  Fasten your seat belt, which only applies if you are sitting in the front seat and hold on for dear life.  If worst comes to worst honk your horn and you should be good to go.  The subway is convenient because we can use it for free, it just takes time. The new Olympic branch lines 8 and 10 have recently opened up making it more convenient to get to our venues.  My most recent experience has been on the bus, I have yet to take it during rush hour; however I swapped sweat with enough people for my liking.  

    Eating has been an experience to say the least. I mean we are in China so Chinese food should be one of the top priorities.  After getting some sort of food poisoning I was not so keen on this trying new foods idea. Peking duck is starting to grow on me, Dr. Mosher along with Jules, Katherine, and I went to a fancy restaurant at the beginning of the week and the duck there was amazing. Peking duck is what Beijing is known for.  To eat it properly you have a pancake, duck, spring onions, and to top it off add the hoisin sauce.   My other favorite food so far has been noodles, it is an upgrade from the typical college student’s Ramen and it is so good.  Master Kong Chef’s Table is where you can find these amazing beef noodle dishes for roughly three dollars.  If you have had enough of the Chinese food for the time being, we have found a fairly decent Mexican restaurant called La Bamba.  It is a good place to hang out and get a taste of the night life. I was there the other night with Chelsea just hanging out eating, and about to get something to drink. I ordered a drink, not knowing there were multiple flavors and the waiter not knowing very much English was trying to explain the flavors, grabs a napkin and starts drawing fruits.  Chelsea proceeds to write the English name next to each one; strawberry, banana, and mango.  I settle on the strawberry and move forward with the night. Suddenly we see our waiter carry over 2 glasses of beer to our table, which we did not order so we think this must be a mistake. The guy sitting across the way had bought us each a beer! He comes over and we engage in Gumbay, which is the Chinese “cheers” we clank our big glasses of beer together.  I take out my camera as he does the same and we document the night.  After going back to his seat, he returns with a pack of cigarettes offering them to us, yet we both decline.   About 20 minutes later he comes back and gives us his phone number, and we exchanged email addresses. The waitress asks us if we speak Chinese, which we of course don’t very well if at all.  She says that this guy doesn’t speak English but he wants to be our friend. To end the night we see a woman working at La Bamba come over with a huge camera, and point to the Sombreros behind us and motions for us to put them on. We do so, grab our beer, and smile for the camera.

 To top off my life in China so far, for one I ate a duck’s heart. Yes, the heart and it tastes like; bbq chicken, burnt bbq chicken. To end it all I won a ticket to see the Opening Ceremony dress rehearsal on Saturday, August 2 in the Bird’s Nest. It was amazing, I am at a loss for words how to describe my favorite parts or what it felt like to be there. I know there was a familiar smell of buttery, salty popcorn all around me, and everyone in the stands participated in the human wave.  4 days and counting!

       Zai Jian

~Nellie

So today I took a break from Lush and tried out a noodle place with Nellie and Chelsea. And let me tell you I am moving in! The beef noodles were absolutley amazing. I will seriously reconsider Chinese food after eating there. I am so happy to find something I really like. Up till now I don't know how I felt about most of the Chinese food I had been eating. I am trying to be adventurous and try new things...

I also got a chance to interview the only Mexican fencer today. She was so excited that someone wanted to talk to her she almost began crying. It made me really happy to know that my small interview made such a huge impact on her Olympic Games! There are so many athletes here who know they are a long shot from a medal but they just want to be here and participate. It feels great to know how many people are just honored to be here. It is really humbling. 

Tonight we are gonna go explore the area of Hou Hai (if that is how you spell it). I am excited to try out some new things.