Olympics and Duck!

I have been in Beijing for exactly a month! I can't believe it. I feel like I was just at the airport in a panic because I had forgotten my passport at home.

This morning we had a late start; understandably so after the 12 bottles of wine last night. Dad said he wanted to get his moneys worth out of the executive room... I think last night covered that.

After breakfast (I had the same thing as yesterday) we booked our trip to the Great Wall for tomorrow and then made a reservation at Quanjude, one of the best roast duck restaurants in Beijing.

We took a taxi to the Olympic park since my parents are never taking the subway again. The first thing we saw when we got there was a McDonalds. Dad said that was going to be for lunch; he really needed some fries today.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day, but the olympic park (where the water cube and birds nest are) was packed. We were supposed to meet the girls there, but that was impossible. So we told them we would meet up after.




In China, lines don't exist. So we stood in the chinese version of a line and waited to get tickets for the water cube.  For some reason random chinese people would come up to us and ask us about the line. Why us? Do you really not see 50,000 other people around here who are ALL chinese. I honestly haven't figured out how their minds work. In the end, we got our tickets to the cube and everything was OKAY.

The water cube was really cool. They have a water amusement park inside; definitely going there when Wilson and Julie come. Mom really wanted to buy this one bathing suit that looked like a dress but it ended up being too long. We stood in the stands where the official olympic pool was held. One chinese girl came up to me and asked to take a picture. I would love to know what she tells her friends and family about the picture. This is my american friend I met in the cube for .5 seconds? Who knows.

After the water cube we sat in the actual olympic park for a little. It was very peaceful and nice until a million chinese started coming up to us and asking to take a picture with them. I honestly don't think I'll ever understand that concept. I mean when they come to America we don't get all excited and ask to take pictures with them. And I think American's have been coming to China long enough now. It's not like when my Poppop was one of the first American's in China (sorry I had to... for those of you who know that story).

The birds nest structure is amazing and blows your mind away. It's even more amazing when you are there standing in front of it. We sat inside the stadium for awhile. In the winter they open it up for skiing. I hope it opens up while I am still here!

After the birds nest we met the girls at McDonalds for lunch. McDonalds was absolutely packed, of course. When we were done eating we went back to the hotel to rest and they went to the birds nest and then came to the hotel to hang out until our duck dinner!

We watched Letters to Juliet. Dad didn't stay for long; he said he knew exactly what was going to happen after the first 10 minutes of the movie. Blah blah blah, MEN... not appreciating chick-flick movies.

When the movie was over we had cocktails and then took two taxi's to Quanjude Roast Duck restaurant. It was absolutely packed. I guess the moral of this blog is that if you plan on traveling or doing anything during the October break in China be prepared for BIG crowds and LONG lines. Thankfully we had a reservation so we got seated right away. The waiting room has a big window looking into the "kitchen" where they roast the ducks. Instead of describing it anymore i'll just post this picture... I hope you're not eating any time soon! The duck was absolutely amazing though and mom ate it!



One last short story... the table behind us was a big Chinese family that had a chinese version of an Italian Poppop. The guy got really really drunk off of baijiu (chinese white rice wine... disgusting) and was acting insane and yelling at everyone. He ended the family meal and they all took him out. It was hilarious- you definitely had to be there but hopefully this picture helps explain the scene a little.


Now I am off to bed. Mom, Dad and I are leaving for the Great Wall tomorrow at 8am!