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Jan Barranco-Grams is a well-traveled, professional business woman in the travel industry. She is currently on assignment at the Olympics in Beijing. Jan will post Blogs, “Bites from Beijing,” exclusively for HOFN.com that will keep us abreast of her fun lifestyle while in China during the 2008 Olympic Games.
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Ni hao from Beijing:

I’m happy to report that I woke up to blue skies this morning (Sunday 8/3) … a first since I’ve been here.

I’ve now been in Beijing for five days and happy to say I’ve never suffered any ill affects of jet lag. I got right into the native time zone the first night, and all is good. I think getting the massages the first two days was the ticket. My theory is that it rubbed out all the bad ju-ju travel toxins from my system.

The past three days we’ve been entrenched in premium land or “swag,” as it’s called it in the travel industry. “Swag” is the acronym for “Sh*t We Ain’t Getting.” However, in this case, we have a very generous client, and we are getting all the stuff. Great…more things I don’t need that I have to have.

Today was crazy. I took our client to the SOS Clinic. She was a mess after bowing to the Chinese porcelain throne all night. As hip and modern as our hotel is, they keep sushi at room temperature way too long in my book.

In the afternoon, I took my other client to our favorite tailor to order a Chinese boat load of new clothes. So, I don’t know if you would call what I did work today as much as P.R. (And, yes, of course I’m having a few things made for me, too.)

It was an adventure going clothes shopping. This tailor is the choice of many Embassies. While there, two African Olympic teams came in to be measured for the suits they will wear during the closing ceremonies. It was very fun to be a part of all the madness, as businessmen and athletes were dropping “trou” and trying on clothes right in the shop. Crazy! Nice Crazy!

So far this has been a pleasant assignment. I’ve had time to work out every morning before I check in for work. However, I have a feeling once the games begin these leisure-hours will come to a screeching halt.

Gotta run…brb.

Okay, so I spoke to soon. I just got out of a two hour meeting going over the details of my dinners at the Great Wall. I’ve learned a new saying here…when prices go up overnight it’s “Olympicsized.” But, no problem … I just went for another massage. Five of us walked in without an appointment at 10:30 pm at got another 1-hour massage. I love it!

I’m off to bed and wondering what tomorrow will bring in this fascinating country.

Zai jian,
Jan