Puttin on the Ritz

Today was officially moving day from the Ritz Carlton to the Beijing International Hotel.  The new hotel is not nearly as nice as the Ritz but it is more centrally located, near Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City and also much closer to the office.   I have been logging very long hours in preparation for the games.  But, this week we met our hosts and hostesses who are all local university students who have gone through and academy and learned the english language.   It is so neat to see the students because they truly represent the 2008 games.   The slogan is "One World, One Dream"  and for these kids they are realizing their dreams.  Some of them have never been inside of a hotel, or been to something as grandiose as the Olympics.  They are all so proud of their country.  They escorted us to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City which I was happy to finally see.  Pictured below are all 21 of our host/hostesses.  Along with me in front of Tiananmen Square. 

Upon meeting the kids we took them on a venue tour of all of the Olympic venues.  THe favorites were definitely the Birdsnest "National Olympic Stadium" where the Opening Ceremonies will be held and the Cube, the National Aquatics Center. Today, we took the kids to the airport to go over their duties.  In doing so we took the Subway which I have to say is extremely clean and efficient, especially compared to Chicago.  They are packed however, and you have to force your way on and off.  The personal bubble that westerners are accustomed to having does not exist here. 

 The kids also are helping me with my CHinese.  Today I learned how to say I am hungry and tired.  Mostly because I was in fact hungry and tired.  Wo uh lu le lu...... WO= I  Uh lu= Hungry and Le Lu is tired.