Ni Hao!
Beijing is finally getting the days they prayed for…sunny skies (mostly blue) and cool mornings and evenings. I had such a bonus day yesterday as I was lucky to go back to the beach volleyball venue and watch Misty May and Kerri Walsh win again. Also, an angel from heaven made sure I got tickets to go see the Gold Medal matches at the Tennis Pavilion. I brought some work associates with me, and we had seats five rows up from the service line! I had the biggest, dopiest grin on my face all night. We watched the Russian ladies sweep the medals and, I hate to say it, but it was not the best tennis I’ve ever seen. Neither Dementiava nor Safina would come to the net to save their lives. I’m sure my idol and their former country woman, Martina Navratilova, was seriously disappointed too!
Without question, the highlight of the evening was watching Rafael Nadal and Fernando Hernandez. Watching Rafa play is a thing of beauty and, I must say, Fernando was easy on the eyes, too. It was a great match. I sat next to two Spanish girls who played field hockey. I was practicing my bad Spanish on them. We swapped pins, took pictures together, and were best friends by the end of the night.
Once again, the Americans were consuming plenty of $1.10 US beer. We had to buy two-at-a-time because the food and beverage outlets are so pathetic. Watching their operations is very painful – and is a lesson as to how inefficient a country can be when capitalism is not practiced. Here’s what’s offered at every Olympic venue: Chips (barbequed), Presidential Noodles (Top Ramen with no hot water), Moon Pies (but they call them something else), Hot Dogs (on the menu, but have never seen one), cold sausage link (boy is that tempting), and Yili Ice cream. So, now do you know why beer is all we consume at these events.
Speaking of food…people keep asking me what we’re eating. I hate to disappoint you, but I am not eating fish heads or monkey brains. However, I do eat dumplings with my breakfast (sometimes). As I always say, “The Breakfast of Champions”.
Sorry, I strayed from the subject at hand…
This was my first time witnessing a medal ceremony. It was beautiful to watch, structured and formal as only the Chinese can do. The worker-bees take down the tennis net, roll out the red carpet, put up the threee flag poles, and bring in the podiums…like a well-oiled machine. Next, the pretty ladies walk out in their “prom dresses” with medals and flowers on trays, followed by the athletes. The presenting and hanging of the flags in done by six military men attired in their dress whites and marching as they do in the Chinese Army. We watched the William sisters get presented their gold medals. It was pretty sweet. They held hands while the National Anthem was played. And no, I did not watch them play, as I knew what the outcome would be and I did have to squeeze work into my day.
My Beijing bed is calling. Good night.
Jan
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=d87ff2ed-9c76-4019-ad1d-0a4da8c8c4bf)
Oh boy, I can’t wait to hear from all the Olympic tennis “fans” now. Maybe they’re right and tennis doesn’t belong!
Comment by SoCaGirl — August 18, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Hi Jan - Randy forwarded your recent writings - very interesting - I have totally enjoyed watching the woman’s volleyball - sounds like you are having the time of your life.
Continue to enjoy - luv, Sue
Comment by Sue Tiek — August 18, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
Jan Yang G,
How do u say tennis in espanol?
CB
Comment by Charley B. — August 18, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
Jan,
And don’t say, El tennis.
Comment by Charley B. — August 18, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Hi Jan, I have really been enjoying living vicariously through your letters. I’m here in town so that I can go to jury duty this week. Not quit up there with the Olympics in terms of excitment, but hey, you do what you gotta do.
Glad to hear that you left the monkey brains off your menu and made the wise decision to go for the beer. I am planning on taking you up on the tennis rematch (as a spectator of course) in a tropical location. It may end up being me playing the match since those thoughtful men of ours may have to do their patriotic duty and coach those poor beach volley ball players.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write. It is such a great perspective as we sit here in front of the TV. Hope that all is well, stay healthy and happy. Love you,
Barbie
Comment by barbie — August 18, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Was that Jan I saw in the Walsh beach volleyball game in a yellow t-shirt in about the third row?
Comment by GZG — August 18, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Hi Cuz,
Sounds like you are having a great time. Have you met any Barbadian athletes yet. We have been enjoying the games on our TV picking up the local broadcast with bunny ears…since they are blacking out our DirecTV feed thus forcing us to watch the local station. We are calling it the fuzzy Olympics.
Have a hot dog on us. You know it might really be a hot “dog”.
Take care!
Comment by Barbados Pete — August 18, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
Is there really a GZG? Keep smiling - keep shining.
Comment by TWFAF — August 19, 2008 @ 9:37 am
J-Big!
$1.10 beers, monkey brains and scorpions on a stick!!! Where do I sign up?!? Looking forward to a $10 margarita and a $7 feesh taco in America’s Finest (and Dang Expensive) City upon your return!
Love BT
Comment by BT — August 19, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
BT
You would have to mention Mexican food, the one thing I am craving (besides Margs with you)!
love
jbg
Comment by Jan — August 20, 2008 @ 3:47 am
Hey cuz Peter,
Nope haven’t seen a Barbarians or Mongolians. . .oh you mean athletes from Barbados.
Sorry to hear it’s the fuzzy Olympics, I’ve got a great view here.
Have you got the guest room in order yet?
love,
Jan
Comment by Jan — August 20, 2008 @ 3:51 am
Hey Jan!
What a sweet assignment — I am so glad that you are getting to enjoy the Olympics. I know how important they are to you and what a fan you are… I remember watching the winter games with you in 1988 when we were in Whistler — yes, that was time when we met the infamous Japanese Snowmobiling team that didn’t make it to Calgary!!
I miss you and look forward to welcoming you back to the US soon!
Love,
K
Comment by Kevin — August 20, 2008 @ 9:56 am
Dear K,
Thanks for the sweet reminder of our ice rescue on that not so frozen part of the lake. I sure hope it is a date for us to be in Vancouver for the next winter games, I could make a habit of this.
miss u 2
xo jbg
Comment by Jan — August 20, 2008 @ 10:44 am
Good to see new HOFN Poll asking which FEMALE is the greatest Olympic athlete. Be sure to vote!
Comment by SoCaGirl — August 20, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Hey Jan - lovin’ your blogs from a looong road trip to Missouri for my family reunion. Haven’t been able to see much of the TV coverage so reading about your days there has been an added bonus. Still think you need to plan a Durango trip for a firsthand account of everything when you recover. Enjoy and have a $1.10 beer for me. By the way, we have good fish tacos too! Love ya! Guyneth
Comment by guyneth — August 20, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
Wow!
That Women’s Volleyball match this evening was unbelievable. What a nail-biter. Walsh & May rock. That was such a great win & so exciting to watch them both celebrate their victory in the rain. Fantastic!
It’s been an excellent few weeks of watching all of the different sports and athletes. The best of the best!
Have a wonderful day Jan & congratulate the A-Team on their Gold!
rg
Comment by rsg in SD — August 21, 2008 @ 2:05 am
Is there a more apropos name than BOLT? Is he a freak of nature - or is he juiced up? He sure can fly!
Comment by Delmartian — August 21, 2008 @ 6:22 am
Is there really a Durango? Best place for fish tacos is looking over the Pacific at The Poseidon in Del Mar, CA…
Comment by GZG — August 22, 2008 @ 8:30 am
J,
I would LOVE to be with you in Vancouver / Whistler in 2010!! You are an expert and I can’t think of anyone that I’d rather spend with at an Olympic games.
Travel safe and I can’t wait to speak with you after you get home!
xo
K
Comment by Kevin — August 22, 2008 @ 10:00 am
Hey Delmartian
I can come up with a more apropos name for Bolt after his obnoxious post win antics.
And where can I get a pair of them gold runnin’ shoes?
Jeeeez!
Charley B.
Comment by Charley B. — August 22, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
CB… I think the entire Jamaican team is on steroids. The margin of victory among world-class sprinters is too great.
Comment by Delmartian — August 22, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Who’s GZG? (Male or female?) I love The Poseidon in Del Mar!
Comment by SoCaGirl — August 22, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
Hey SoCaGirl…. which do you prefer?
Are you a SAN SoCaGirl?
Comment by GZG — August 22, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Mmmmmmm…. First choice is Male. Does that work, GZG?
Comment by SoCaGirl — August 22, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
SoCaGirl … I’m Male - and I loved the hesitation in your answer. Typical SoCa girl!
Poseidon could be calling……
Comment by GZG — August 22, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Things that happen on Blogs! Gotta love it. From Olympic sports to the sport of….
I like this crowd.
Comment by Delmartian — August 22, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Wow, my blog is heatin’ up!
K - the good thing about us going to Vancouver for the winter games, is that I speak the language there - eh?
RE: The Bolt, this is the one time that I am ok with the Chinese being selective on who and what they show on their TV, I guess they don’t like him either for we saw very little of him. I don’t know how they could pull off the steriods, the BOC (Beijing Olympic Committee) would be all over them like white on rice!
Comment by Jan — August 22, 2008 @ 10:26 pm
Drugs are always one step ahead of testing. We shall see….
Comment by SDsportsnut — August 23, 2008 @ 6:20 am