Almost the end

Tonight was the last night for the majority of people who worked at Media Village. The guys I have eaten almost every meal with and drank multiple beers with depart tomorrow. Our group of international managers has really shrunk as we enter the final stretch of the 2008 Olympics.

Today was my first day at Athletes Village and what a day it was. I am in charge of a coffee shop in the International Zone. This area is where there is a dry cleaning place, the big Olympic store, a newsstand, etc. etc. The coffee shop on average during the regular Olympics was doing about 50 people a day....at media village we were doing 50 people in about an hour. Anyways, they sell sandwiches and coffee. It is a nice little place where you can find some media members hanging out all day interviewing the athletes as they come in.

For the past two months my life has been crazy. We were putting in long hours and always on the move at work. This last month will be the complete opposite. I am working 9a-5p Wednesday through Sunday with Monday and Tuesday off. A pretty sweet way to end my 3 month assignment in China. All of my off days will be spent touring what is left on my list of Beijing.

This Sunday night my plan is to take an overnight train to Xian. Xian is where the Terra-Cotta Warriors are. It is about a 12 hour train ride so we will leave Sunday night and get in early morning Monday. We are going to tour the city and the warriors all day Monday and then get back on the train Monday night and be home Tuesday morning. I am really looking forward to seeing other things outside of Beijing.

The rumor is that my last day of work will be September 20th. If I can get written confirmation that I will be done work then I am going to try to plan a trip somewhere. I figure if I am in this area right now I might as well take full advantage. I am considering Vietnam or Thailand.

I went back to the Great Wall yesterday. It was even better this time because there were no clouds...it was a perfect day. I was suppose to go in September on a private hike but the guy had to cancel so I tagged along with some other people. The first time I went the weather was terrible and I still thought it was awesome. Adding a bright blue sky to the mix made it amazing. I took pictures so if you click the link to the right you will be able to see it.

Time for bed.