This is the outside of our 'dorm' hotel.
This is looking South on campus from outside our rooms.
This is the first blue sky I've seen!! It was so bright out. We are guessing this is because it is a Saturday. Maybe Beijing will have the ability to clean up their air enough for the Olympics.
This is the Olympic basketball stadium. It's gold color is tremendous in keeping energy costs low. They love basketball
The main baseball stadium. This is the last year for baseball and softball...they have been voted out as Olympic sports.
They have planted millions of new trees. This area will be for local people to gather and watch coverage of the games.
We were taken on a private bus tour by Jeff Ruffolo, Senior Expert on the Olympic Committee...wow! It was a better tour than I could have imagined. Our first stop was the baseball fields
These fields are temporary and will be turned into a shopping center for the permanent basketball arena. NBA China is coming soon! A good hit into left field will knock out a window in these office buildings.
There are thousand of migrant workers from all parts of China working on facilities for the Olympic games. The amount of construction still to be done is unbelievable, but Jeff assured us, it WILL be done by July 20, or there will be severe punishment.
This WILL be done by July 20. (check out that blue sky!)
This is a temple near the Olympic park
I wonder what these pigeons are for? During the Olympics traffic will be controlled by rotating days for even and odd license plates on cars. There will be severe penalties if an the wrong numbered car is out.
This is the Birds nest, where the opening ceremony and track and field will take place. China 'seeds' the clouds so they can control the rain. They make it rain at night and not during the day...or the opening ceremony.
China sees the Olympic games as the beginning of their Century
They will have more subway than New York when they are finished. They have a few important routes in for the Olympics.
The condo's are sectioned off by country for the athletes.
The Olympic Park, where the Athletes stay is huge. It has work out facilities and a pool.
This is the religious center for the Olympic athletes.
The workers get paid $20 a day with room and board, which to them a good job. Their temporary housing is set up everywhere.
This 'central park' sized forrest will be the Olympic Committee's gift to Beijing.
A view of the huge park that was built...all those trees are new! Only in China could this be done!
This is the technology center for the Games.
These are broadcast boxes. I can't imagine how much each of those would cost to broadcast from.
This is where the torch will be lit.
The site for field hockey. There were 30 test events to test the venues that are all finished now.
These security men under umbrellas were EVERYWHERE. There will be thousands of plain clothe security guards. Jeff is confident these will be the most secure games ever.
Tennis venue.
This building is right near the Bird's Nest. Those are large screens that will be broadcasting the events.
There were people up and down the area taking pictures.
The Water Cube. I can't wait to see it at night. There is a moat built around it because it cannot be tapped. It is so thin that they have a fence on the top also, so birds cannot peck at it. It's built of EFTE plastic.
In front of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. None of Olympic Park will be open until the Games.
After the Olympics, the Water Cube will be remodeled into a family fun park and the surrounding area will be commercialized.
Most of the venues were bought by a Chinese and foreign partnership. After they are remodeled most of the money will be made back.
