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We've been in China for over two weeks now and so far, it's been a great trip. I've experience a lot of new things and cultures that I've never experienced before. We've been playing pretty well in the exhibitions and pool play and nowwe have the chance to redeem ourselves against Greece in a couple days. No one on our team has forgotten about the game they beat us in two years ago so I think it's going to be a great opportunity for us.

I want everyone to know if they ever get a chance to go to the Olympics, whether you're going to be a spectator or an athlete, you should go. It's been amazing! Everything from the Opening Ceremony to the sporting events to the different venues have been a spectacular. This is something special and I really feel that way when I see people stand on that podium to receive their Gold Medal. Every time I watch that, I get chills and I hope that I get that chance too.

I still have to see some swimming events and track and field hasn't even started yet so there's still a lot to do. I got the chance to see the women's team play and I also went to the boxing matches a couple of days ago. I still want to see Michael Phelps, but it's tough to get tickets for that because he's on fire right now. There are so many different events that it's hard to coordinate which ones to go to. Gymnastics is still going on too and I'm sure that will be great to watch. I'll make sure I schedule everything right so I can see everything I want to see.

The other day I had the chance to visit the Great Wall of China and that was awesome. We had to take a 2 hour bus ride early in the morning just to get out there. When we got there It took a while to make the walk up because it's such a steep mountain. You have the option of taking a hike all the way up the mountain and that takes an hour and a half or you can ride the car lifts to the top. Since I'm not that adventurous, I walked for about 10 minutes to the car lifts and rode them up the hill. The walk to the car lifts was tough enough so I couldn't imagine walking the whole way up.

Once we got up there, I saw a beautiful view of China. I really don't see how that wall was built because it's on a very steep hill/mountain and it goes as far as the eye can see in both directions. If you ever get the chance to visit, make sure you're in some kind of shape because it's no joke. It's a lot of walking and it's a great workout for your legs and you might be sore the next day so have the epsom salts ready.

Well, I've got to go to practice to get ready for our next game. Wish us luck, the competition is about to get a lot tougher.

Man, I thought I read something about athletes not being able to blog during the Olympics. Guess I read wrong. =/

Sounds like you're having a good time. Going to the Olympics has always been on my 'Things To Do" list. Its pricey as hell though.

cb4_admin wrote:The other day I had the chance to visit the Great Wall of China and that was awesome. We had to take a 2 hour bus ride early in the morning just to get out there. When we got there It took a while to make the walk up because it's such a steep mountain. You have the option of taking a hike all the way up the mountain and that takes an hour and a half or you can ride the car lifts to the top. Since I'm not that adventurous, I walked for about 10 minutes to the car lifts and rode them up the hill. The walk to the car lifts was tough enough so I couldn't imagine walking the whole way up.

Once we got up there, I saw a beautiful view of China. I really don't see how that wall was built because it's on a very steep hill/mountain and it goes as far as the eye can see in both directions. If you ever get the chance to visit, make sure you're in some kind of shape because it's no joke. It's a lot of walking and it's a great workout for your legs and you might be sore the next day so have the epsom salts ready.

Tell me about it! I went to Beijing several years ago and we hiked a 10 kilometer stretch (with 30 lb backpacks no less) of the Great Wall and it was a beast. I've never been so exhausted in my life, but it's an experience I'll never forget. Talk about being sore the next day...

China is an incredible country and I highly recommend it for anyone that's adventurous and/or loves history and exploring other cultures.

Have you made it out to Forbidden City yet? That's another awesome tour that I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Are they treating you like a rock star? When I was there I had groups of people following or staring at me, and at some of the parks I visited people would stop me and ask for a picture with them. It was crazy, but I felt like a king. The Chinese don't get much exposure to Western folks, so I'm sure they're loving every minute of it, especially since our culture is so popular with them.

Oh, and DO NOT BUY OR DRINK any water that they are selling on street corners. It's quite likely that it's faucet water (even though it looks bottled) and I'm sure you know that that's something you want to avoid at all costs. Regardless, expect to get sick after a week of being there (the p00ps). It happens to everyone, primarily because your body isn't used to the various types of bacteria they have there. Enjoy it though man... I'm jealous.

ive heard there's marijuana plants growing on the great wall of china, confirm or deny

studcrackers wrote:ive heard there's marijuana plants growing on the great wall of china, confirm or deny

Deny.

I would have been high as a kite the entire time if that were true, believe you me.

semi-sentient wrote:

cb4_admin wrote:The other day I had the chance to visit the Great Wall of China and that was awesome. We had to take a 2 hour bus ride early in the morning just to get out there. When we got there It took a while to make the walk up because it's such a steep mountain. You have the option of taking a hike all the way up the mountain and that takes an hour and a half or you can ride the car lifts to the top. Since I'm not that adventurous, I walked for about 10 minutes to the car lifts and rode them up the hill. The walk to the car lifts was tough enough so I couldn't imagine walking the whole way up.

Once we got up there, I saw a beautiful view of China. I really don't see how that wall was built because it's on a very steep hill/mountain and it goes as far as the eye can see in both directions. If you ever get the chance to visit, make sure you're in some kind of shape because it's no joke. It's a lot of walking and it's a great workout for your legs and you might be sore the next day so have the epsom salts ready.

Tell me about it! I went to Beijing several years ago and we hiked a 10 kilometer stretch (with 30 lb backpacks no less) of the Great Wall and it was a beast. I've never been so exhausted in my life, but it's an experience I'll never forget. Talk about being sore the next day...

China is an incredible country and I highly recommend it for anyone that's adventurous and/or loves history and exploring other cultures.

Have you made it out to Forbidden City yet? That's another awesome tour that I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Are they treating you like a rock star? When I was there I had groups of people following or staring at me, and at some of the parks I visited people would stop me and ask for a picture with them. It was crazy, but I felt like a king. The Chinese don't get much exposure to Western folks, so I'm sure they're loving every minute of it, especially since our culture is so popular with them.

Oh, and DO NOT BUY OR DRINK any water that they are selling on street corners. It's quite likely that it's faucet water (even though it looks bottled) and I'm sure you know that that's something you want to avoid at all costs. Regardless, expect to get sick after a week of being there (the p00ps). It happens to everyone, primarily because your body isn't used to the various types of bacteria they have there. Enjoy it though man... I'm jealous.

That's a great experience.

Even though I am Chinese I have only been there once. And I was too young to remember anything. I found the forbidden city extremely boring and my stomach ache didn't help either...
I would love to go there again.

Totally agree, i was lucky enough to have the Olympics in my home city (Sydney), it truely is a great event. Anyone who hasn't been, London 2012!