BEIJING!!! #1

Hello Everyone!!

I thought I would try and email as much as I could to share what I've been doing in China!! I'll try to keep in touch, but my internet access is limited!

Ok so first....the flight here....stinking loooooong is all I have to say! And even longer because Mom wanted to tell EVERY single person on the way here about Gil. But who can blame her right?? So I met a guy on the plane who swam at Michigan. I quickly learned he was a Tarwater fan. Though he was polite, sadly I could feel some tension there. He didn't come right out and say it, but I think in his mind it was a fluke. His words were "Crazy things happen". I know this may sound imature,but the only thing going through my head was "L-O-S-E-R".

Anyways, so I got here late Saturday night. This is the busiest place I've ever been. Bikes everyone, taxis everyone, people everywhere!! It's been an adventure trying to talk with the people here(we've already gotten into a fight with a taxi driver). They try to rip you off so bad! We rode a taxi to the The Great Wall today. I can't wait to show you all the pictures. It is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Although, with the smog and pollution it's hard to get a clear pic. It really is as bad as they say here. While on the way to the cable car to ride to the site we were going to....I stopped to ride a camel!! Ok that was an experience. That is by far the oddest animal. The humps just don't seem real for some reason.

So I have to tell you that we were in a cable car with 3 girls from Germany. They could speak a little English. John told them about Gil and then all the sudden they were just as friendly as can be. Not only that, but they wanted a pic with me. How crazy?? That was pretty entertaining. It's so amazing going to the Great Wall because you see so many different cultures there. People from all over the world come to see it!! I loved hearing all the different languages and accents.

I had fun heckling with the towns people over souveneirs. They are relentless!!!! But I did manage to get some neat stuff for cheap. That's ALWAYS fun!

Ok so now I am writing to you from the Hometown Hopefuls spot sponsored by Bank of America. Free food, drinks, internet use, etc etc, from 11:00am-11:00pm. It's amazing! My mother's fiance has already met Natalie Coughlins parents and shook George Bush Sr.'s hand. Mom and I met some water polo parents tonight. They have really set everyone up nice. There is definitely an incredible feel to all of this. The whole Olympics thing is really starting to set in now. I'm pumped!!

Thank you thank you thank you to all of you who helped me get here!! Already I can say I have had an unforgettable experience....after just one day.

I talked to Gil today....he sounds ready to go! I can't wait. Prelims for the 2 fly start August 11 at 6:30pm. So, I think that will be August 10 at 5:30pm your time. I don't know if you'll get to see him, but keep your eyes open. I will try to write again tomorrow. Until then, Go USA!!!! and GO GIL!!!

Dottie