Day 16 - Euphoria

Hey Everyone!

I can't describe how EXCITING today was for me!  After our ONS training, a friend and I hitched a ride with our international managers to see the Olympic Green up close and personal. This entire trip has been very surreal so far - visiting the Great Wall and being in Beijing.  Today was no different as we took a stroll past world-famous landmarks that I've seen countless pictures of in books and magazines. 

 We used our press credentials we were given in the morning to get past security.  Inside, we were free to walk around and get really close to all the sites including the Bird's Nest, Water Cube, National Indoor Stadium and Main Press Center.

  

                     

National Indoor Stadium

We also saw where NBC's The Today Show will be

broadcasting live during the games.  The studio was still being built.  I will definitely be back for a taping!

Today Show outdoor studio in the main courtyard.  (They have a GREAT view of the Bird's Nest behind them.  I can see why they chose this spot)

We also saw where the big broadcasters will be telecasting from in a press tower that overlooks the entire Olympic Green.  So cool!

Main Press Tower

Probably where NBC's Brian Williams and Bob Costas will broadcast from.

While on our tour, we saw a number of kids arriving in the main courtyard.  I think they were Olympic volunteers participating in a performance for the opening ceremonies.  They may have arrived for rehearsal.

The press passes we received grant us access to certain venues.  For instance, mine allows me to get into the National Indoor Stadium represented by the NIS on the pass, the press areas (4), the Olympic Green Common Domain (OCD) and on the field of play in the NIS (blue strip at bottom).  The pass also includes a holographic sticker that will allow us to use the bus and metro system for free starting July 20.  Security is so tight that since I don't have a Bird's Nest clearance code, I will not be able to go inside it or any building I don't have clearance for. Students working at different venues will have different clearances.

Here's multimedia of the trip.  Tomorrow, the gymnastics group will take a tour of the National Indoor Stadium!