The match was scheduled to start at 5pm. Mountain man and i set off from home at 2:45pm. We took the train all the way to the Olympics area (only 2RMB so we were quite happy to save money), followed by a bus ride to the tennis centre, 30 minutes away from the bird's nest.
We got to the security area under this white tentage, not big, about 5m by 10m at max, and then it started pouring! so about 3 seconds after the rain came, hell broke loose and everyone started pushing and squeezing JUST to get into the tent. After squeezing for about 40 minutes and almost suffocating, we finally got past the barrier #1.
Check out the angry mob.
And just when it was getting easier, the security announced that no more people were allowed into the tennis centre, and we were to await further notification. 20 minutes later, security announced that matches were cancelled. Les was the english translater/announcer... The security had to ask him what qu xiao 取消 is in english.
WHAAAATTTT.... After the journey, the squeezing, the rain, the suffocation.. and the fact that we were teased to think that we could go over the other side, the thing got cancelled.
The next day, we found out that there were no options to watch the postponed matches. Only refunds were available. BUT, we paid 5 times the list price cos we got our tickets on the black market!!! AND... i rejected 2 FREE tickets for Gymnastics cos of the tennis tickets.
We were the biggest suckers.
I lamented to my client the next day, told her about our tragic incident. She took pity on me and gave me a FREE SWIMMING TICKET!! only one for me though, les didn't get =( .... so anyway i saw Michael Phelps, a legend in the making. *swoon*... half naked! *double swoon*...
This was taken just milliseconds before the plunge. Can u spot Phelps? The G9 not bad, can zoom quite far.
The overall atmosphere isn't crazy like i thought it'd be. It's a lot less tamed than any Singapore vs XX country football matches i've been to. Only cos the audiences are supposed to maintain some sort of conduct so as to not distract the athletes.
These were the 2 ladies i went to watch the tournament with.
This is the closest one can get to the bird's nest without actually being in it.
And the watercube...i call it the big giant bubble-wrap.
Next monday, les and i are going to catch Beach Volleyball!! woo hoo...tickets are also free! i hope nothing screws up.
6 comments:
I want to go for a tennis open. :p If ever...
Is it exciting being in the city where the biggest thing for chinese is happenning?
I'd think the traffic is mad. :p
hello SAF!!
Yah it's super exciting. I'm rooting for China. I am checking their scores almost every minute. Every restaurant has a TV!
Traffic is surprisingly OK. Yesterday i got to travel on one of those priviledged lanes for Olympic delegates, i felt so lawa.
hows BTR?
See la! One lunch later... you have one more entry! :p
BTR is still as BT. Am hoping she'll be more tame in time to come. What good is a pet if you cannot touch it?????
And U work & live in China... of cos support them. It's a fact engraved in stone. China will be overall champion. I just wish i could be surprised by the Sgp' sportsmen/women.
BTW, did you see those female weightlifters?!?! they are like WAHHHHHHH! Crazy man!! *very amazed*
SAF> i thought hamster cannot touch one. will die very fast.
I cannot help but respect the Chinese for wht they've done. Overtrained athletes, driving on alternate days, learning english, behaving, cheering... They are very determined. Singapore, well give it a few more decades, maybe they'll find something good with the sport school.
Anyway, China chooses athletes according to strict a physiological criteria, especially the weightlifters. These coaches will go into the village schools, measure body proportions of students. If anyone fits the bill, the country will offer them a chance to be an athlete and lift their family out of poverty. But in return, chosen ones must fully commit themselves to training, leading the military life almost. They'll have no other interests except... weightlifting.
This is what i call HARD CORE.
I AM SO JEALOUS!!! You got to see Michael Phelps in action!!!
Karma C> kekeke... from very far away, but still!
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