Week of ups and downs

September 10, 2008

This week has been the week of heaven and hell to say the least (don’t worry; I’m not on my pulpit). Of course, it started with a great win by our beloved Tigers! Can I get an M-I-Z…… I did however neglect to update that blog post. While ESPN is still my savior, it really needs to work on its timing. With 3 minutes left in the game, the screen stops. No more feed. You don’t even want to know the words that came out of my mouth (let’s put it this way, it’s the alternate ending to the above chant). So, I relied on my backup savior, KFNS radio online. Always good to have two saviors, don’t you think? Hehehe. Beware of false idols, or something like that.

Anyways, off that kick. Afterward, I met up with Shawna, one of the Renmin volunteers who has been helping us through our stay. Though she’s an economics student, I think we’ll turn her into a journalist yet. She’s constantly asked to write things for her school about us, and decided the other day she’d like to write an article about how the US presidential election will affect China’s economy. I’m so proud. On a side note, I think the Obama campaign should try to get every Chinese person registered to vote. He’d win by a landslide, and the people here seem more informed about the issues that those in the States to whom it directly matters. Go figure!

We decided to head to the Fragrant Hills, a place on the northwest side of town famous for its scenic views. I knew we had chosen wisely when just the sights from the taxi were breathtaking. Hidden among the outskirts of the mountains, the small "Park of Tranquility and Pleasure" holds treasures of both the natural and manmade varieties. Magnificently decorated Buddhist and Lama temples and more modern attractions (eateries, a hotel, massage parlors, tourist shops) nestle into the mountainside and give a panoramic rivaled only by those of the Great Wall. The name can be slightly misleading, since the hills are probably less fragrant than the adjacent city. On the top of a hillside rests two stones that look like huge incense burners – hence the name "fragrant." Personally, I was just happy it didn’t have the million city smells.

We only traveled half a mile up, for we got there late and were afraid of the park closing. If we had wanted to travel another mile both ways, we probably could have seen all of Beijing from the tallest peak (or we could have paid for a sky-lift, but I wasn’t touching those). The views look out over the mountains to one side and the large city to the other. Simply awe-inspiring at sunset, though unfortunately because of the harsh shadows, I couldn’t get a clear 360 panoramic to share. It’s the kind of place to just breathe in deep and enjoy, thanking the heavens for such a wonderful gift. I definitely did.

The next day I decided to keep up my spiritual adventure and visit the Temple of Heaven. It was one of the places talked about in every book, so I figured I might as well go once. The surrounding park was full of locals exercising in unique ways, dancing, playing instruments, or just taking in the atmosphere. The temple itself is like a large rotunda, filled with furniture and icons for the emperor who built it. Dozens of stone calf sculptures line the walls, apparently a symbol of sacrifice and good fortune. While not quite as impressive as the literature made it out to be (that might be because I didn’t have a guide to tell me what things meant), I did stumble upon an amusing bit of déjà vu. My family will remember walking into the Parthenon right before a choir from Texas filled the air with glorious song. Well, after the temple, I ventured to the Echo Wall just before a community group (and anyone else who wanted to join in) crooned chants from previous dynasties. Talk about timing.

A man writing with water, good exercise and he practices his caligraphy :) -->

<-- I don't remember her in the Olympics

I was also able to go one more time to the Great Wall, this time to a lesser visited portion called Mutianyu. To get up to the base however, you can probably walk, but it’s more fun (I’m told) to take a chairlift. My fear of heights didn’t help while several hundred feet above the ground, but I survived and even got photos to prove it. hehehe. The skies weren’t quite as clear as the first day, but the haze seemed to add to the effect as we conquered the long, long pathways up and down. And, to end the trip and add a little more fun, we too sleds down the mountain. :)

<-- They neglected to tell us Number 1 before we bought the tickets.

Photos of the wall itself can be seen on the Panos page.

Work started again on the fourth. I have to admit. At first, I think most of us were a little disappointed we didn’t get to leave with the others (or rather, we were a little mad at ourselves for volunteering the extra time). It already had seemed like a long time, and we weren’t sure the benefits of our labor. Yet, after that first day back, all were completely satisfied with their choices.

It’s not that the athletes during the Olympics were rude. Just the contrary; they were always very nice. But you try having dozens of reporters hounding you after losing by two-tenths of a point. We’re like wolves sometimes, it’s true. And it always felt like they ‘had to’ give us statements instead of they ‘wanted to’. The Paralympic athletes, on the other hand, give some of the greatest quotes a reporter could ask for. Maybe it’s the difference between gymnastics (where you fail and you’re out) and wheelchair basketball (where you play several times during prelims before elimination). Maybe it’s the fact that they don’t have the entourage of journalists behind them, and relish being called by name (something we FQR try to memorize before the end of every match). Or maybe it’s just because each has such an individual drive and story behind them.

Take Sabrina Pettinicchi and David Durepos, a husband and wife pair on the Canadian basketball teams each striving for a third gold medal. Or Loraine Gonzales on the US team, who played regular ol’ basketball and dreamed of the Olympics before an accident changed her path. During rehab, she watched a past Paralympics and said, “This is what I have to do. This is what will make me an athlete again.” I talked to her after her first practice in the NIS, and she said when the curtains opened, she knew this is where the magic would happen.

Some were born to the wheelchair. Others’ lives changed toward it. But all have overcome so many hurdles and boundaries. And all have a story that I wish I could sing to the world (though you wouldn’t want me to with my bad voice, hehehe). It’s a shame the Paralympics aren’t covered more. I hear the US didn’t even get the Opening Ceremonies (I could be wrong, it could have been on some obscure channel). The acts completely rivaled August 8th and even surpassed it with emotion and feeling. Beijing doesn’t even get as much coverage as the previous events, but we still get enough to fill most of the day.

I mentioned this week was heaven and hell. The latter was due to the persistent rains and the onset of flu after our counterparts left. It was being passed around; everyone had gotten it. I just wish I could have taken a rain check. Totally not fun. Luckily Shawna came to my rescue with some amazing soup (still not sure what was in it, maybe don’t want to know all the ingredients) and in the morning I was feeling better. It’s still hanging around though, with fevers and stomach problems. Nothing I can’t work through. Hey, if this is where the magic will happen, then I’ll trust my divine trips did me some good.

Thank god for ESPN

August 30, 2008

It’s a peaceful Sunday morning here in Beijing. The sky is clear and blue. The campus streets are bustling with new students and their parents preparing for the start of Monday classes. The few Christian churches in the city are filling with tourists for morning mass. And on any other Sunday, I’d be joining them. But today I have a different church.

For half a world away lies the promise land. You would not know its powers except for the large green field and booming voice from the heavens. My fellow believers are already there, dressed in the holy colors and praying the sacred hymns of our forefathers. I, myself, am at my computer – my altar – not being able to make the pilgrimage but still praising my savior. Thank god for ESPN!

My father asked me how a Tiger sports fan, like myself, could miss the football opener in St. Louis. I thought about breaking into Hooters Beijing to watch the game, but with it not opening until 11am, the timing wasn’t happening. 8:30am games really don’t work for me. ‘Tiger’ Mike Kelly is good to listen to, but I needed to see to believe. Just short of making my parents buy a webcam and pointing it toward the television, I was about to submit to the sacrifices of a foreign land when I had one more idea – ESPN360.com. The words rang from the heavens.

The Black and Gold never looked so good. With Chase Daniel presiding and JMac leading the procession, the church of football is in session in Beijing. Who would have thought that 6760 miles was only a minute delay. Laying on my bed and sporting my MIZZOU tee, the hotel staff probably thinks I’m dying with the rate I’m screaming. But I don’t care. My Tigers are on the prowl and looking for indian blood.

So, I will say my prayers and turn my rosary. And next week – Paralympics-schedule permitting – I will sit in the very front pew. But right now, the Almighty must be a Tiger fan. Miracles do happen, Mizzou. Now let’s take it to the house! M-I-Z…!

16 days, and for what?

August 28, 2008

Sixteen days. That’s all it was. Well, not quite all it was.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics are the most expensive Games in history, totaling $40.9 billion US in six years on infrastructure, energy, transportation and water supply projects. There were nearly a dozen new subway lines built, 12 eye-catching venues constructed, and millions of temporary jobs created.

And for what?

For 10,500 athletes from 204 countries to come together and compete for 300 pieces of gold – or gold covered metal. For 43 new world records and 132 new Olympic records to be set, and a record 87 countries to win a medal during the Games. For two-thirds of the world population (4.4 billion) to watch the same thing, just at different times. For a thin veil of peace and harmony to cover the other world headlines of war and troubles. For China to finally have its day in the light and show the world remarkable traditions and customs – no matter what the price may be.

China will get back a little of that money. With 70,000 visitors a day to the superstore on the Olympic Green, it is estimated $70 million was spent for 5,000 different types of souvenirs. I think I commented on it before, but they had EVERYTHING except embroidered badges – sorry daddy – and books. Of course, since everything was made in china, who would want a Chinglish book anyways? And that superstore was only available to staff and people who had tickets to specific venues; 230 additional stores covered the rest of the population.

NBC also paid China for the historic Games. For a mere $894 million, they could have sole rights for the US. In return, they produced 1,400 hours of coverage on six television networks, 2,200 hours of live competition from Beijing available online. NBC averaged 27.7 million viewers a night for its prime-time coverage, and while it won't top the 33.1 million average for Atlanta, it’s not too shabby with the 12 hour time difference. I’m still not sure it’s worth it though… 16 days? That’s $55 million a day. Obama could only raise that much in the entire month of February. The Dark Knight didn’t even reached that each day in opening weekend.

So now, Misty-Mae can shake her groove-thang on Dancing with the Stars, though hopefully with a bit more clothes on. Phelps can be on SNL (although we’d like him to not put clothes on, thank you). Millions of dollars can be exchanged back in the US on endorsement deals.
And what about China?

The day after closing ceremony, although many woke up a bit later than normal, things ran as if nothing happened. Cars were back on the streets. A thick smog once again covered the city. Old men sat out on the sidewalks playing cards or Chinese Checkers while little lap dogs explored nearby and wives sat fanning themselves in the heat. The airport was undoubtedly busier than normal, but that was the only city sector bustling with activity. Even the Silk and Pearl Markets, which raised haggling prices for the influx of foreigners, were marking things back down and readjusting to lower profits.

The only thing in Beijing that screamed “Olympics,” besides the banners being torn down or swapped with Paralympics ones, was the constant replay of Chinese victories on CCTV. And they keep coming. And coming.

Now is the IPC’s turn to shine. While 52 of my Mizzou colleagues boarded a plane this afternoon for the US, 6 of us are still doing time. Parts of us wanted to depart with them. That would have been easy. But we still have three weeks to experience something new, something only 30,000 other volunteers get to do (while that sounds like a lot, there were 1.5 million volunteers for the IOC events).

It will be interesting to see how China reacts. Already, they are spotlighting athletes once kept in the dark for their disabilities. And while only 50% of the city is handicapped accessible, it’s a huge jump from the previous percentage.

Why did we stay? We get to report on sports not everyone knows about and about athletes people should! Olympics athletes have amazing stories, yes. But some of that is still fame and privilege. I want to learn the story of the wheelchair fencing champion. No one can say he/she is in it for the fame and glory. At least, I don’t think. I’m scheduled to cover wheelchair basketball for ten days, one of the premier events, and can’t wait to get started!