Erin Blanchard #2

12 August 2008
I didn't know what to expect when I came here. This is my first olympics and everything so far is a dream come true. The weather is like the weather in Louisiana. Its hot and humid. Yesterday was cooler and clearer than usual. Today is back to the hot and humid daytime. The smog isn't so bad. It's like you can see the humidity in the air but its not that bad. We got to see Yao Ming at opening ceremonies when he came to talk to our basketball players. I haven't seen Michael Phelps yet because I don't think he is even staying at the olympic village. Oh and Yao Ming is extremely tall. Well training is okay, its been tough getting adjusted to the time change so some days are harder than others. But I have been doing all my routines in practice. So far, I only bought a plate for my mom and a piece of artwork from the forbidden city. I still have many gifts to get for my family and friends. It's called the forbidden city because when Zhu Di became emporer and built the palace, no one could enter or leave without his permission. It's a really cool place.  In the village it is. If you don't have your credential on, you can't get in anywhere.. not even to get food. Anytime you come back into the village, you have to scan your credential and go through a metal detector and put your bag through an x-ray scan. It's just like airport security. I plan on going to the Great Wall before we leave. I also want to go to the market and get some presents.