Athletes, athletes everywhere

We don't have to work until 2:30 p.m. today, so most of the group (minus Traci, who has a sinus infection) wandered out for Andrea's birthday last night. Her official birthday is on Tuesday, but we have to be at the Velodrome most days until our departures after this. We stopped at the Stanlitun bar street. Many of the trees lining the street are made of or covered in holiday lights. It was a nice effect. We sat outside and people watched for a while. (Apparently, a daiquiri is clear and comes straight with lemon garnishes in a chilled cocktail glass?) For the last month, many times, we were the only non-Chinese people in an area when we went out. Now, you can tell the Olympics have come to Beijing. Athletic foreigners everywhere. We met two Croatian swimmers, and later in the evening, I made two Irish swimmers take a picture with Andrea for a little birthday embarrassment. She claims she was mortified but I think she liked it; one day she'll appreciate the picture. It was a laid-back, social atmosphere. I recognized a few coaches as well, walking up and down the street, just "seeing the sights."


Thought I would share.