Sorry that I haven't posted in such a long time, but I literally haven't had a free hour that I wasn't working or sleeping. I don't have a whole lot of time now either, I just happen to be filling it at the front desk so I have some time to write while their are no guests coming up.
The job is amazing but exhausting. During the first few days I was going to the Great Wall a lot as part of the Advance team. This meant that I got to the Wall about an hour before the guests to buy tickets and make sure everything was in order. I was also in charge of the "Mongolian singers". Yes, that is right, we brought in singers from Mongolia to serenade the guests from the top of one of the towers. This was the best part of the job, because they were really cool guys and basically I would just get to spend the morning chilling with them on top of the Wall and chatting about Mongolia, music, whatever. It was really quite funny because I'd see the guests coming and go "hurry, hurry, get started" and they would change into their very traditional costumes and sing these really traditional gorgeous songs accompanied by the horsehead guitar and then as soon as the guest s were gone they would change into their street clothes and we'd go back to discussing Nirvana. haha!
I also got INCREDIBLY lucky and was one of the few staff people to get a ticket to the opening ceremony. I sat with our guests which means I was in the 18 row!!! The ceremony was incredible. I assume a lot of you saw it on TV so you have some idea. The sheer timing and coordination that it would take with those huge masses of people moving at exact times is impressive in and of itself. They also did a lot of things with lights that was really beautiful in the dark stadium. The opening act with the light drums was probably one of my favorite parts. There was also this really great moment where they sang this song that was both in Chinese and in English about how we are all one family.
Other than the ceremony I have gotten to go to two events so far. I went to Badminton a couple of days ago and I went to swimming yesterday. The swimming was awesome because I got to see Phelps win gold in a World Record time which was really exciting. I was sitting with a bunch of Americans which made it even more fun, because they were really into it.
There has been a LOT of problems as well. Lack of any regular sleep or meals being a part of it, but also a hugely disorganized management being the main problem. I can update all of you on that later.
Sending love to all of you!
5 comments:
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I kind of just wanted to leave that note above, but guess I won't. My jealousy goes to the point of needing only one deadly sin to miss out on heaven and then some. Especially because watching the Olympics is pretty much not happening on my end though I have been getting some recaps on You Tube. Anyhow, I don't need to go into how sweet that all sounds, from the interactions to getting to be a free specator to the events and ceremony. Hope the lack of sleep and food doesn't catch up with you and that the experience makes up for it. By the way what did you think about the different ethnic groups carrying out the flag in the opening ceremony (I saw a 13 minute recap of the ceremony...). Thought that was a bit ironic. Anyhow know you probably won't be able to write me back for a while but wanted to touch base. Enjoy everything - and photos too of course! Take care of yourself!
sounds ridiculously awesome.
the dudes with the lights on their bodies was ridiculous. as was the thousand men tai chi. and the planets with the acrobats acrobating.
keep up the good work, persson. (eep you saw michael phelps win gold!)
whooooaaaaaaahhhh, that is so freakin crazy. i saw the opening ceremony and thought of you, that's awesome that you were actually there and IN THE 18TH DAMN ROW. man. rad. anyways, glad to hear you're alive, and doin awesome stuff.
I'm so glad you're getting to do this! Even just two events and the opening ceremonies is still more than you thought you were going to get to see, that's so awesome, honey! GOD I miss you! I have so much to tell you whenever your work load thins out and you have a bit of time.
Let me know as soon as you have your permanent address, I have goodies to send you! Love you muchly! Kim
Welcome to China，I think you will have a unforgettable memory here!
I'm a graduate in Wuhan,China. My major is project manangement.
Enjoy yourself:)
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