Yesterday we visited Beijing Sport University once again. We had the opportunity to meet members of the MIOC student organization and discuss the Olympic Games, cultural differences, and other fun topics. All of the students were extremely sweet and we had a very interesting discussion. It was very enlightening hearing so many different viewpoints about such a variety of topics. We exchanged email addresses and I hope that we will be able to keep in touch.
That night I decided to do some solo “retail research” (aka: I went shopping). I went down the main street by our hotel and stopped in many different stores. The differences between Chinese stores and stores in the US with regards to marketing retail practices is very interesting. For example, in many of the shops, it is customary to tell one of the attendants what items you were interested in. After that, they would hand you a receipt for the items, which you would take to the cashier. After paying, you take the receipt back to the original attendant to receive your nicely packaged items. It is actually a rather nice practice that way. You do not have to run around the store with the items. Your items are nicely folded and packaged when you pick them up. There is less of a wait time to get your items. I rather like it that way. ^_^
Today we went visited the Bird’s Nest, The Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. It was a busy day!
The first stop was the Bird’s Nest. We got the VIP tour and saw the special VIP entrances, sitting rooms, and seats for the game. The building was spectacular. So much detail went into every aspect of the building. What made it even more fun was the inspiring music they played (complete with cheering crowd) as you toured the complex. It really was amazing.
After the Bird’s Nest we visited the Forbidden City, one of the sites I had been most looking forward to seeing. The city was huge! We entered huge gate after huge gate, with each layer looking difference from the others. The buildings were amazing, especially when you think of how old they are and how important they have been to the history of the country. The architecture is beautiful! However, my favorite part had to be the garden in the last section of the city. There were all kinds of things to look at in the garden: rock fixtures, monuments, gazebos, etc. It was a lot of fun exploring everything.
And finally, we visited the Temple of Heaven. This area was particularly tranquil. People sat around playing cards together, knitting hats, or even singing. And then in the center was the Temple of Heaven, a very elaborate temple built at the very top of the park. We didn’t stay long, but I’m very glad we went.
Leaving Hong Kong first thing this morning seemed an unfortunate price to have to pay despite the eager anticipation of returning home to loved ones. Hong Kong must surely rank as one of the world's most captivating cities. The views over the harbor were spectacular both by day with ship traffic and night with the hills ringing the island in a spray of lights. Hong Kong also fuses old and third world with sophisticatedly modern, not to mention cultural influences from around the globe, in a city with a rather more Pacific Island than industrial feel. 
After a very long, sleepless 13 hour flight we have since arrived in Chicago for a short lay over before our final leg to Columbia. Battling one's way through passport control and baggage collection and then back through a fresh round of security checks the first thing that comes to mind is how Western every body looks. Airport staff also have a kind of casual familiarity (I have been reffered to as 'hon' by airport staff at least once despite feeling anything but sweet about now) that does make it seem quite good to be back State-side if not quite home.
