Things I miss:
- Being A Part Of The Olympics: Whether I was attending events, hanging out at USA House, touring the Athletes' Village, talking to athletes or manning the front lines for Lenovo, I feel like I came as close to the Olympics as you can without actually competing. Now that I'm home I feel disconnected - like "I was JUST there! That's MY Olympics!" Watching on TV is no substitute for the excitement and friendship you find at the Games.
- Made In China: Um, best. food. ever. Made in China is hailed for having "the best Peking Duck" in Beijing and it has to be true. I managed to eat here twice and it now ranks in my top meals, up there with Le Relais Entrecote in Paris, the porcini ravioli at Il Panino Trattoria in the North End, my step dad's spaghetti and meatballs and Annie's Mac & Cheese.
- Dragon Fly Spa: I finally found a place where you can get a 2 hour massage (1 hour head to toe, 1 hour with one person working your head/shoulders and one person working your feet) for $50. Of course it's like 78,000 miles from where I live.
- No Political Ads: Dear god, it's me Kaitlyn. Make it stop. I turned on the TV when I got home last night and less than 3 minutes it I saw my first political ad.
Things I don't miss:
- Squatty Potties: In parts of Asia (and Europe), standard public toilets are just modified holes in the floor. They don't support TP, so you throw that in a trash bin next to the hole. Listen, I'm ALL for different cultures and the way they do things - I don't judge. But, this was one of the most disgusting set ups ev-or. I'll spare you the deets but it's really really awful.
- Pollution: I know China took some drastic measures to reduce pollution in Beijing for the Games. It's nice to be home, not that the air rules in DC but it smells good here most of the time with the trees, landscaping, etc.
- Cab Rides: The fact that they were cheap was their saving grace - but being in cabs for 3+ hours a day was brutal. Seems like anywhere you want to go is 45 minutes from where you are.
Despite my whine list (whining over things I miss, whining over things that bugged me) the Olympics in Beijing were a once in a lifetime expereince.
I miss you! China is less a place without you.
Posted by: David Churbuck | August 22, 2008 at 12:12 AM