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The Olympics: One world, one dream; around the world, my dream
Editor's note: Trinity Nelson, Rich Hill, is serving as an intern at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. In the following, she shares her experiences so far.
Let the games begin! That is the one phrase that I have been waiting to hear since last August. I first heard about the Olympics Internship while heading to one of my classes in the journalism school. I am a sports broadcast major and photography minor at the University of Missouri, who grew up in Rich Hill Mo., and will be graduating in May of 2009. This internship will, hopefully, help my chances of finding a job after my graduation.
I was selected officially by a panel of Chinese delegates in December to be considered a candidate for the program. This selection was based on numerous applications, reference letters and interviews; but I still wasn't in for sure. I took a class for two hours on every Thursday and Sunday through the months of January and February and then had to take a test in March. I passed the test and was for sure going to Beijing!
Preparation for the trip was hard but well worth it; and I am not only talking about the preparation while I was in the United States but the preparation here in Beijing. All the students who came with our group arrived here on July 1. We had a full month of training and class before August. This month, however, seemed as if it would never come!
Finally the day of Aug. 8 arrived and I couldn't be happier. I am working as a reporter's assistant in the Cycling Road Course event, which is the postcard event for Beijing. The course takes the cyclists past several landmarks such as Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and many more before they head to the finish point located at the Great Wall. It has definitely been interesting to go to work every day at the Great Wall of China. Some days the smog is awful, but the days it isn't … well, the view is magnificent.
So far during the games, I have had several amazing experiences such as having a front row seat to the torch relay (it passed right in front of me); watching the beginning and end of the men's road race; watching the beginning of the women's race; watching the women's and men's medal ceremonies; getting a high five from the female medalists in cycling; getting free tickets to beach volleyball and track; and also I was able to meet several journalists from all over the world.
Journalists whom I talked to came from Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Great Britain, Columbia, Spain, Canada, France, Mexico, China and the United States of course, among several others. The USA teams I met were from USA Today, The New York Times, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sports Illustrated, NBC and ESPN.
Being able to enjoy these opportunities that involve the games are amazing but so are the opportunities not involved with the Olympics. I have visited the Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan Park, a Peking Opera, seen the Pandas at the Beijing Zoo, seen a Chinese acrobats show, visited Tiananmen Square, Climbed the Great Wall at Badaling and many more. I have to say, though, one of the best things about Beijing and China is being able to experience a different culture and meet the native people.
Some of the people I have met have great stories and I feel I must share a couple of their tales. First the University Hotel I am staying at has this team of security guards that all are pretty unique in their own way. My favorite guard, however, is high five guy. We don't know his real name because he doesn't have an English name and his English in general is pretty poor. He has learned a lot from the American volunteers living at the hotel but the most interesting is the high five. He gives everyone of us high fives every time he sees us and he is always smiling. Also, little by little his English has just gotten better and better. His friendly face is something I will definitely miss. Another person whom I know I will always remember is the little boy who works in the market inside our hotel. He and his mother run it and he isn't any older than eight. They know I buy a bottle of Coca-Cola in there everyday, so I don't even have to ask anymore! The boy speaks some English and every time he talks to me and says a new sentence or word I always compliment him. His smile is so adorable that I wish I didn't have to teach him the phrase for goodbye.
Lastly, I have to include some of the little things that I have noticed about the culture. For starters, the women here love their umbrellas! Instead of the trend in the United States to be as tan as possible, here in China the women desire to be as pale as possible and I have been told that the girls were jealous of my white skin more than a few times! Another difference, which is something I just can't come to terms with, is the style of the toilets. I know it sounds odd, but they have these toilets that are not bowls that you sit on, but rather bowls directly in the ground that you sort of just sit over but not sit on! Yes, to answer the question in your head right now, it IS awful! Other differences include how all the ladies always are dressed so nicely -- heels and dresses are an everyday choice. So as you can imagine girls in T-shirts, shorts and baseball caps stick out, not that I don't already stick out with my pale skin and blonde hair! Also bikes are very widely used around town. They are everywhere, and the riders are fearless!
There is so much that I have learned, experienced or witnessed that I could never fit it all into an article. I know, though, that all this stuff will be forever something I never forget. This experience was definitely a chance of a lifetime and I just hope to make the most of the rest of my trip.
I have been here since July 1 and I leave on the 28th of August. For being ready for the games to get here for so long, I feel they are going way too fast!
If you want to read more about my daily activities or see my many pictures you can visit my blog at: http://tjn258.
blogspot.com/