Jennifer and the Olympics ..The Final Episode

Wednesday

Today was the Great Wall day…asked Bei Lu, a lady who works in the finance department, if she could also get me some tickets to the Chinese..Acrobats….she was able to find some and the venue is fairly close…for 7:15…..

Left atr 9:00 for the Wall at Simati with Smartie….a taxi driver from BCCSC who I knew from the first year….we hired him for about 80 dollars for the trip out and back….got there at about 1100 and went up the cable car…about 2/3 of the way then could have taken a mini train a little farther but decided to walk…whew…it was steep and tough….Jennifer decided not to go too much further....I went as far as you could go….on the way down Jennifer….yells to me “get your butt down here quick”…I actually jogged on the wall..the reason….Haley Wickenheiser, arguably the best female hockey player in the world from Shaunavon, Sask. was there…….well we hit it off really well, had pictures taken and walked the rest of the way down with her including a Zip Line that I talked her into. We chatted all the way down the wall talking about experiences and happenings while I have been here…..she said that she would try to get us on tv the next day as we were going to softball.....Jay took a lot of pictures and got her small brass momento of the trip on the wall...picture of her with the volleyball on the wall...may have een the highlight of the trip to meet her...and was very neat to be able to talk to someone about some common things....Hayley is playing in Sweden with a mens team.....she was also dong the commentating for CBC and was wanting to come out with us for drinks or something if she got time.....didn't happen as she got too busy and got some extra duties for the netwrok........a good day and it was sunny and clear out as well

Uneventful ride back except that I fell asleep and was given a hard time by Jennifer and Smartie….we saw the road go from a 2 lane highway to a three laner and at one time maybe even a four laner....but the road did not get wider, the cars just moved over a bit....J also saw how some of the poorer parts of the country are populated and some mountainous regions...

Had supper at our little restaurant again....…J seems top like the food there...it is fairly good and is cheap too....what an atmosphere there hey Jay....then off to the Acrobats by taxi....thought it was a good idea at the time but we got a little snarled in traffic again….but we did arrive early enough….another incredible show….lady twisted like a pretzel…men defying gravity with some astonishing moves....we were left in awe ...got home early...we were able to use the subway and it was quick......home early and did some wash and then went to bed early….so that we could get a good start on the next day to softball…where we will try to scalp some tickets for the 2nd game as it will be Canada and Australia…..and then maybe some wrestling in the evening….Ron has one of my tickets.....

Wednesday….

Up early and off to the softball venue Fengtai stadium....got there after one inning of US vs Japan….and 0-0 until the ninth when US got 4 runs.....one on a a monster 3 run homer ( longest ball I have ever see a female hit) and then Japan scored 1 in the bottom.......the place was only 1/3 full because China was not there......can’t believe because we would have had the darn thing packed for sure….even had a section of programmed cheerers in the outfield who would cheer on command from their leader.....our game ( which the tickets we had got us into sw we didn't need to scalp)....didn’t start well..... they hit a single home run and then got another run…we replied with 3....... did my Canada flag Calgary horse trot to get the troops yelling……they came back with another solo homer…..we had them in trouble a couple of times but could not score….they got 2 runs and we couldn’t reply.. final score Australia 5- Canada 3...they played well......pitcher was upset.......had a lot of pictures taken with my umbrella hat and Canada flag but silly ass didn’t have one taken of us......funny thing.....had one of those inflatable Roughrider helmets and a couple people wanted to wear it......one person put it on as if it were a batting helmet and had a thunder stick, using it as a bat.......Jennifer almost pd her pants.....don’t even know if we had our time on tv....had our section of the stadium cheering for Canada...Jiao Jianada...out yelled the Aussies....fun...

Didn't have time to eat and went to the wrestling venue ....stopped and had a meal....at a Pizza Hut...yeah we went western a lot....…Ron had 1 ticket and J had the other.......I tried to get a scalped one but they were 70 dollars and not for a full session.......I left early and let those two enjoy the session......have used the subway system here to advantage.....and at about 25 cents fora ride it is well worth it.......and no hassles in traffic......they even have dedicated buses but I haven’t caught on to those yet.....you can catch certain ones and they will get you there at no cost...as long as you show the ticket...

Thursday was a rest day for Olympics with no planned events unless we can get into some on scalping tickets....We went to a Starbucks...there was one close to us and Jennifer said "wow real coffee".....raining hard.....stood in the rain on a guard's spot under an umbrella and he shooshed us away.....guess we didn't look stern enough for the guests at the hotel we walked by...and we were just trying to keep dry....went to Silk Market by subway and then couldn’t find a bus so cabbed it to the Capital Gymnasium ...tried to follow another couple of Americans...they were as lost as we were....we were able to scalp ladies volleyball tickets......just showed up and asked for tickets….one guy wanted 1500 and then another wanted 300 for one…so Jay bargained 2 for 500 because the game had already begun....see how quickly you learn in Beijing....bargain hard.....free enterprise...who said anything about communism....we had terrific seats at half court but a little high up…US versus Cuba…US dominated and won in three games....a very good facility.....even had male-female cheerleaders/gymnasts.....

We made a quick exploratory trip to the BC pavilion/Canada House to see what was up there......after went to Silk Market and bought some scrolls and even ate at a McDonalds...... In the evening took Rosamund Whiting, the lady I knew who worked at the Italian embassy to the Cube to watch diving...had promised her that if I got diving tickets that we would go....saw the Canadian lady win the silver medal...the Chinese are so good and so small.....even if they belly flopped it wouldn't make much of a splash...Jennifer went back to the Canadian pavilion by Tiannamen square....she was told she was not a Canadian!!!!! if she wasn't from Ontario or Quebec and/or didn't speak French.....if you want to see her get mad......ask her to tell you about the incident.....finally told the lady "to then f'ing separate!!!!!"......good on you...quite a patriot that Jennifer... she may even vote this time????...the night was otherwise good for her as there was free beer and food........home at about 1100….

Friday.....met Reg early......took Jay to meet him…another Starbucks and cab trip to the Capital Gymnasium.......finally at a venue lots of time to spare.......men's semifinal.....Russia vs United States......best I have ever seen.....serves are incredibly fast….but the players seem to have little problem with them.....all sorts of plays set up and some great rallies and spikes...yes it is good on TV but when it is live you realize just how good and fast the game is....US in 5 at 15-13……..took bus but went too far..finally got back onto a subway ( we should have used our own common sense as we knew where we were going but thought that others knew better..obviously not) and got home.......some groceries then over to the Golden Market to get a few more purses and exchange one ….supper at Pete’s Tex Mex.....home and Jay stayed to rest…I went to Rosamund farewell party at the Stoneboat in Ritan Park….a small gathering........met a fellow named Elvis who runs a barbecue every weekend.....and may go some weekend.....had met him before but his looks had changed...another early evening..... J finally decided to sleep in the bed and I slept on the couch......

Geez dad is that bed ever hard...how do you sleep on it....easy it is the only one....

Saturday.....nothing day......except maybe a little packing….we have decided to go Shunyi to see if we can see the Kayaking finals......will take a bus and hopefully see it....well we did ...found out the bus to the Venue.....no cost....about a 40 minute ride.....then we had to get tickets......got one for 200 rmb from a volunteer off a bus...we saw him first....others were asking for 1000....so we said no....I told her to go in and I would try to find her if I got a ticket.....about 15 minutes later, I latched on to a you=ng man who was willing to sell his 80 rmb ticket for 160 ...I gace him 200 and left to find Jennfier.....ran into some Canadian fans....there were a lot there.....a coup;e from Edmonton and some young girls who were working as Journalism students.....had a good chat with them...lots of fun and got to see Vankouverden win his silver medal....cool....

Got back and remembered that Nashvilles was having a free beer weekend at their place...it is just about 500 metres from CIS so off we went....met Canadians again...Jennifer was astounded by the free beer thing.....Dad they could never do this in Saskatchewan....they would go broke......beer only 40 cents....maybe a different story....finally left at 300 in the morning.....needed to travel home the next day....maybe not such a good idea....ah well the exuberance of youth......well somewhat youth.....

Last day.....up and packing....not eating a lot....we were going to take the subway but decide to take a cab instead....Jay was able to get all her stuff into the two bags that were empty after I had unpacked all my stuff coming over.....so she had filled up two suitcases and at least one carry on .....with stuff from China....just as I had predicted.....a good body of loot....said a few good byes and then left for the airport a little early as we thought there might be a few people leaving.....


And we were right.....damn near lost my camera in a taxi...it had fallen out of my pocket...did a little jog to catch up to the car and was able to retrieve it.....the lines were quite long and it took a while to get checked in....but once we were at the front of the line it was really fast to get processed.....Jay was overweight on both bags but didn't have to pay on either....lucky beggar......we had a meal at a Burger King.....at the airport and then it was time to say good bye.....

A small hug and then she was gone....into the scads of people that were leaving as well....was a difficult moment....so much fun and so many great moments shared.....as she said "Thanks for this Chance of a Lifetime Dad...Love Ya ...Bye..."

It was a tough time home on the subway...and even a little tougher when I got home to the empty apartment that had been so busy the last two weeks....Yeah it was a great time....a two weeks of unparalleled happiness.....tough time getting to sleep that night....the adventure was over....now only pictures and memories.....