Beijing Olympics 2008

Welcome to my blog about my trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I'm a video editor working for NBC, editing human interest features for the Olympic Zone which airs each night before the Olympics coverage on NBC. I'm staying at the media village and working at the International Broadcast Center (IBC), which is right next to the "Birds Nest" stadium and many venue sites,

including the "watercube" aquatics center.

During my stay, I plan on visiting some sites. I haven't made it to the Great Wall yet, but I have gotten a chance to see Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City already. I've posted some picts for your viewing pleasure.

We took the subway to Tiananmen and after exiting our first stop was by the National Theater. Then we ventured down the street past the Parliamentary building and on to the square. We saw hundreds of people waiting in line to view Mao's tomb. Then we walked across the square to the Forbidden City - forbidden to the common man until the early 1900's. It was a very hot day. The climate here in August feels like Houston, Texas - very hot and humid.

A couple days later I ventured out to a local market and enjoyed some of the local cuisine.

So far, I've had a couple of different people ask to take pictures with me. They must think I'm Santa Claus! One night, after watching a preview of the fireworks display for the opening ceremonies, a little girl approached me and requested a picture. I didn't understand her Chinese lingo, but her mom interpreted and I ended up posing with her and several of her little friends.

Then, while at the Forbidden City, a girl touring with her boyfriend asked for a pict with me. I'm not sure her boyfriend was crazy about the idea, but he took the picture anyway! It's either my beard, or my striking good looks. (probably the beard)