Today is the first time I've spent a significant portion of my day in my Media Village room since I've gotten here, pretty much. I went into work at 7:00 this morning and got to leave at 10:00; unfortunately it's because I'm sick and the broadcast manager didn't want me to spread my germs, but hey, a day off is a day off in my mind. I officially have no voice left. It's literally like in those nightmares when you try to scream and nothing comes out -- that's what I look/sound like. So I come all the way around the world to get sick. How fantastic.
I actually got out of work at the perfect time. I got in a cab at the IBC and went to the beach volleyball ground and I got to see Misty May-Treanor (I have to add the hyphenated part so my volleyball-playing brother isn't offended at my misuse of her name, even though everyone else still calls her by her first last name only) and Kerri Walsh play in the gold medal match against China. It rained heavily here all morning and straight through the match so I debated going, and probably made a poor decision to actually do so considering my current health status, but I figured I'm only at the Olympics in China once so I might as well take advantage of the opportunity. And I'm so glad I did! I could hear the party music and the cheers blasting from the stadium before I even got in it. I found a standing spot in one of the broadcasting areas next to two other interns I knew in passing. They were both having a blast in the rain. Everywhere else I looked in the stadium, it looked like someone splattered pastel paint all over the stands because everyone was decked out in a different color poncho that was handed to them at the gate (it was actually really hilarious), but these girls had no ponchos, no umbrellas, and just a giant, sopping wet American flag they were waving around as they danced to the music during the breaks. I was so jealous, because if I wasn't sick, I would have been right there with them, but I unfortunately decided it smarter to hide out under my umbrella.The atmosphere at the match was insane. Everyone was up dancing in their ponchos and the cheerleader girls (since when does women's beach volleyball require cheerleaders, anyway?) looked like they were having the times of their lives getting drenched in the rain. Half of the crowd would scream "China!" and the other half would return a proud "USA!" It was awesome to be in the middle of, even though I couldn't yell myself.
May-Treanor and Walsh won the first set without a problem, but the Chinese team gave a good run in the second. I loved seeing how excited the U.S. duo got with every point they won. The last point they earned secured them their Olympic gold, and I watched as they both dropped to the wet sand to celebrate together in the rain. It was so worth going to see!After the match, I took a quick trip to the silk market to tie up some loose ends and buy some last minute gifts. Mostly I just needed a new suitcase to bring home all of the things I bought. Even the new luggage, though, hasn't solved my problem of having entirely too much stuff to bring home. Anyway, I managed this afternoon to call a cab for myself, give the driver the correct directions in Mandarin, and navigate the subway system back to the Media Village. I was so proud of myself! I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of this city -- just in time to leave it.
The rest of my afternoon consisted of laying in bed eating noodles, napping, and watching movies on the blessed English HBO station. My one roommate that worked at swimming as a logger and who I was closest to of all 4 of my roommates left today. It was sad to see her go, but we've promised to keep in touch. The days are finally winding down!
I just sure hope that I won't still be sick when it's my turn to board that oh-so-fun 13-hour flight home.
1 comment:
USA!!! You have no idea how jealous I am that you were there. I hate you. Regular AVP events are incredibly fun, I can't even begin to imagine what the olympic finals must have been like. Too bad you didn't go down and dance on the court, I guarantee you that would have been an amazing feeling to be in the middle of all that. I was dancing around on the AVP court in Phoenix, and that was pretty cool, but again, nothing compared to olympics. Except that me and Pete had just won a 3-legged race and got free sandals out of it.
Ah! I can't say enough how much I hate you/am jealous of you. You better have taken as many pictures as the rain allowed.
P.S. thanks for correctly using Misty's name, and giving me the little shout out in the blog.
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