Across the sea

It has been a long time since we "blogged." And we apologize for not keeping things up-to-date.

We are currently in Beijing, China, having arrived on the 13th of August, to watch the Olympic Games...especially our son, Philip, in the 50 kilometer racewalk. For some very interesting reading check out his blogspot: Olympicwalk.blogspot.com


Philip walked yesterday morning (the 22nd) and did very well...he finished 39th out of a field of 62 starters, in a time of 4:08:32. It wasn't his best time ever, but about what he expected and hoped to do. And he impressed everyone with his consistent consistency! His 2 kilometer laps were 9:54, 9:56, 9:58, 9:54, 9:54, 10:00, 10:02, 9:55...etc. It was a hot morning, temperatures in the high 80's-low 90's, but it had rained well the day before and the humidity was relatively low (30%) and there was a slight breeze, so the heat did not do him in. Pollution was also not a factor, since it had rained and cleared the air well. In fact, we have had almost all "blue sky days" since we arrived in Beijing.

We can only hope that the Chinese will insist on keeping the air this clean after the Olympics are over. There is likely to be pressure to that effect, but how to do so is another question...so many cars! And Beijing is an IMMENSE city! We are overwhelmed by its size and all the development that is going on here.

We have been doing some touristy things...our other son, Malcolm, and I went to the Badaling Great Wall this week. This is a close-to-Beijing tourist site, and it was crowded with (mostly) Chinese tourists, but still an incredible experience. We hiked a couple of kilometers, climbing stairs that were >60 degrees incline. I still have sore quadriceps as testament to my efforts. Later this week, Philip, Liz (Philip's wife), Miles (number 1 grandson), Marv, and I plan to go to another Great Wall area and hike about 10 kilometers.

Our time here has gone by fast. Having a baby in the group changes the dynamics a lot. We get late starts. Miles is usually up by 6:00AM, then ready for a nap about 8:30, so we often don't get out of the house until 10:30 or so...if we have an event we want to go to earlier, he comes along, toted in the back-pack...sometimes he falls asleep, sometimes not. Even though seriously sleep-deprived, he has been an incredible traveler, though last night he truly "lost it." A melt-down of major proportions, he cried and howled and berated us in true baby-fashion...why wouldn't we let him sleep???!!! Malcolm, Philip, Marv, and I left Liz with him and went off to the New Balance Hospitality House. Liz says he fell asleep 5 minutes after we left...and slept for 12 hours. Good little boy!

Another dynamic is that he is a blonde, grey-eyed, American infant. Can you image what the Chinese think of him? One of the hundreds of people who went "ga-ga" over him, said "He draws the wind to him"...meaning that he attracts much attention. Chinese, though a difficult language to master and somewhat "harsh" sounding in its articulation, has a poetic quality in its meaning. We are pleased that Liz speaks it well, since it would be so hard to get around without it. And her being able to communicate with others makes our encounters much more meaningful. Otherwise we feel like idiots.

Truly.

Well...it is getting late. We are at the Hometown Hopefuls Hospitality House, using their computers and enjoying their wine...but it is time to head home. Malcolm left today (he starts work on Monday) and Philip will move out of the Olympic Village and in with us on Monday. We are staying in an apartment that belongs to a friend/former coworker of Liz's...

Life is good.

Take care everyone...our love to all of you. We will write more when we get back to the States later in the month.