http://picasaweb.google.com/a.brantingham/ParalympicsBeijingSept2008#
Go to this link to view more photos from Beijing and the Paralympic Games.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Paralympic photos
Sitting Volleyball - Iran vs. Bosnia for the gold. 
Russia receiving the bronze medal for Sitting Volleyball.
School children posing for class photo outside the Bird's Nest.
Michael Phelps - bigger than life.
Russia receiving the bronze medal for Sitting Volleyball.
School children posing for class photo outside the Bird's Nest.
Michael Phelps - bigger than life.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wuhan September 2008
Back to my blog, after many many months. Sorry to those of you who actually come here occasionally looking for new postings. Hope you haven't lost faith in my blog yet - I'll keep trying:)
So, September is coming to a close and I have not started teaching classes yet. Yes, one of the benefits of teaching freshmen is the fact that they do not begin classes until October. Their first month of university is spent in what we call "military training." I think I have some pictures I'll post. They endlessly march around campus in marching units in their fatigue uniforms. Their poor bodies are much more fatigued than their uniforms. The field where they are marching on my campus is just a stone's throw from my apartment, so all day long I hear the equivalent of "hut, two, three, four" in Chinese. It's not bothersome except when they start at 6 a.m. :)
With some free time this month, Marilyn and I decided to go to Beijing to take in some of the Paralympic games. What an amazing experience to see firsthand the places we had been watching on t.v. for the Olympics - the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube, and the rest of the Olympic venues. In my opinion, Beijing did a great job hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was well organized and the venues were beautiful. They had thousands of volunteers helping with every aspect of the games. In fact, after talking with some of the volunteers I learned that there were 100,000 volunteers for the Olympics and 30,000 for the Paralympics. Wow! Most of them were university students who were educated in English, French, German, or Spanish. Whenever we needed help, it was always easy to find a volunteer. In fact, everyone in the city seemed eager to help. While eating in a McDonalds, we asked two girls sitting near us for directions to one of the venues. They gladly escorted us to the proper bus stop, put us on the bus and told the driver where we were to get off.
The Paralympics were quite amazing as the athletes competing have various physical handicaps. What they must overcome in order to compete is really remarkable. I was really touched by their spirit of determination. Again, Beijing was a great host. We also were able to attend the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics. It was a fantastic show and quite fun to be there in person.
Next week I have plans to visit an orphanage for three days. I'm a little nervous since the guy organizing the trip told me we'd be eating at the orphanage with the kids - sounds like a mostly rice and cabbage diet. I'll let you know how it goes.
So, September is coming to a close and I have not started teaching classes yet. Yes, one of the benefits of teaching freshmen is the fact that they do not begin classes until October. Their first month of university is spent in what we call "military training." I think I have some pictures I'll post. They endlessly march around campus in marching units in their fatigue uniforms. Their poor bodies are much more fatigued than their uniforms. The field where they are marching on my campus is just a stone's throw from my apartment, so all day long I hear the equivalent of "hut, two, three, four" in Chinese. It's not bothersome except when they start at 6 a.m. :)
With some free time this month, Marilyn and I decided to go to Beijing to take in some of the Paralympic games. What an amazing experience to see firsthand the places we had been watching on t.v. for the Olympics - the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube, and the rest of the Olympic venues. In my opinion, Beijing did a great job hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was well organized and the venues were beautiful. They had thousands of volunteers helping with every aspect of the games. In fact, after talking with some of the volunteers I learned that there were 100,000 volunteers for the Olympics and 30,000 for the Paralympics. Wow! Most of them were university students who were educated in English, French, German, or Spanish. Whenever we needed help, it was always easy to find a volunteer. In fact, everyone in the city seemed eager to help. While eating in a McDonalds, we asked two girls sitting near us for directions to one of the venues. They gladly escorted us to the proper bus stop, put us on the bus and told the driver where we were to get off.
The Paralympics were quite amazing as the athletes competing have various physical handicaps. What they must overcome in order to compete is really remarkable. I was really touched by their spirit of determination. Again, Beijing was a great host. We also were able to attend the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics. It was a fantastic show and quite fun to be there in person.
Next week I have plans to visit an orphanage for three days. I'm a little nervous since the guy organizing the trip told me we'd be eating at the orphanage with the kids - sounds like a mostly rice and cabbage diet. I'll let you know how it goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
