34 days later, here I sit in my empty Media Village room with all of my bags packed and ready to go home. For 34 days, I've gotten used to another country, another culture, another world. I witnessed some of the greatest sporting events across the globe and met some of the best people I've ever had the pleasure to work with. I'm glad that while I was here I was able to experience a city with so much history in not welcoming foreigners, and see how happy all of these people suddenly were to be hosting these Olympics.
One World, One Dream. This entire city was the epitome of that slogan.
It still is not real to me that I was actually here. This entire thing has been a dream come true and certainly beyond anything I ever expected. The experience has long since surpassed anything I was told it would be. I've been very lucky here to see and do as many things as I did. I'm happy to say that I took advantage of every opportunity that I was given here, and I have absolutely zero regrets.When I look back on everything years from now, I hope I remember exactly how it felt when I was so anxious about coming here, what my first impression of the city was the moment I laid eyes on it, what the people were like and how incredibly welcoming they were, what the food tasted like, and most of all, what my first day of watching an Olympic competition live was like. After seeing all of these athletes here, I can't wait to get back in the pool myself.
I also can't wait for a bagel and cream cheese. And for running, potable water to brush my teeth. And clean air. And bathrooms that are not just holes in the ground. And a good, fresh, healthy salad. But mostly, I can't wait for my family and friends. My dog and my gecko. My roommates. Syracuse!!
It's been a roller coaster ride that I would keep buying tickets to ride a hundred times over if I could. I wouldn't trade this trip for the world, and my hope is to have many more Olympic experiences to come. Wo ai Beijing, zai djiehn! (I love Beijing, goodbye!)
To those of you reading, thank you for coming along for this ride. It means so much to me that people cared enough to read my stories, many on a daily basis as I've been told, and thanks to those of you who responded. Please check back in the next couple of days because, as soon as I get my pictures onto my own computer, I'm going to be adding them to each post. I hope you all enjoyed the trip almost as much as I did, and enjoy the pictures!
2 comments:
Since only like 6 people posted on this thing, and 95% of the actual posting was from me, I'm going to assume that that last little thanks was directed at me. Well you're welcome. I really enjoyed having this opportunity to mock you, your incredible experiences, and amazing stories for my own amusement and the amusement of all of our loyal readers. I'm going to miss it. This was a regular 10 minutes a day that I'm now going to have to put back towards actual work. And while I've had the constant material comforts of running water, sanitary bathrooms, and fresh salads that won't give me parasites, I have been watching the games only when I have the opportunity, on small televisions, mostly in uncomfortable places (my 46" LCD just got here 3 days after the games ended). You've been there for all of it, and just like you, I would have given up every material comfort in a heartbeat to experience that. For all of my sarcasm and mockery, I am actually very jealous, and proud of you. And I am now fully relying on you to score me tickets to the Vancouver games.
I really love these kids of mine. I am so proud of you both.
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