Nippy's Report

Greetings!

This will be the last from China as I am leaving on Saturday, August 20th. I hope you enjoyed the
stories. I did not have many as I was on the outside of the Olympic village & without assess to
many places. I hope you liked the new style. I may send more pictures when I get back home. On
thing I can say is that I have never been worrying of being pick pocketed, or having my bag lifted.
As I was trading pins I would let my pins go and step back. When I traded 20 for the shirts I had no
worries that they take more or that a pin would be stolen. For that the Chinese people are great,
There are things about the government I will write about & about our taxi driver views of US
President & China's government when I get back. Thanks for your comments & I hope you well.
Wiring in building
Nice picture of the electrical wiring in my buiding. There is not need to worry Dick T. & Tom from
ADOT have been notified and will be out to fit in a day or two! Thisis in the stairwell going to the
apartments. Five floors with 3 apartment per floor.

Great Wall!
My friend Nick & I went to the great wall. It was the one that was less traveled, however when you
got there the locals had their shops set up & ready to take your money for all kind of Chinese
things. I brought some dried fruit. We took the tram up & rode the Slide down, I now know what it
feel like to be a luge athlete.
The wall was impressive but a bit disappointing. Steep & the wall was built with a curve or
camber in it for water to drain. It was very cloudy out so we did not get to see far into the
horizons.
Pins & trade clothing!
Well the last three days, Saturday, Sunday, Monday I have done at least 4 hours of trading.
At the Coke pin tent I started trading pins to the workers for their shirt. I knew that I was going to
the village the day after clothing. That is the day a lot of the athletes trade their extra uniforms
for other Olympic team gear. I got for games related shirt for 20 pins a piece. So ready with a few
old cycling jersey. I traded 3 shirts & two jersey.
I return I got team shirts from Nigeria, Zambia, Iran, Israel,
Kyrgyzstan & the best trade was a shirt to an athlete from Lesotho for a home made wall hanging.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called
children of God. Yet so we are. 1 John 3:1

Sincerely, Nippy

Great wallChina #9 pins!
Belated Birthday
燣ee Schnebly (Aug 22)
This is how it came on the e-mail I tried to have it comverted into english and got Cari ? Schnebly
Happy B-Day!
Join our list
Join Our Mailing List
PINS by the #!

So far in my collection will have 230 new pins from Beijing. This is a bit low for me.

To head the list is the

Chinese Taipei (I have evern one of ther pins since they have been in the Olynpics)

Other country are:

Malaysia
Bolivia
Colombia
Korea (3)
Jamaica
Gabon
Cuba
India
Libya (2)
Barzil (4)
Belquim
Aruba
Bahamas
South Aferica
Jordan
Nigeria (2)
Croatian
Ethiopian (2)
Lativa
Netherlands
Namibia
Andorra
Bandgalash
Russia (2)
Germany
Zimabwe (2)
Sweden
Italy (2)
Solvenia
Sadia Aribria
Estonia
USA (2)
Mexico (3) very beautiful
China
Luxembourg
Srbija (new country)
Czeck Republic

21 Games pins
26 Corporate pins
24 Sports Federation pins
16 normal China pins
15 not olympic pins
17 other games pins

Games pins

Sponsor pins VW, different pin.

Reader Wrote
OK Nippy, You are getting a bit lax in sending up-dates this way. Obviously, there are far too many girls
over there; and, they seem to be cutting into your spare time. I certainly pray that you are having a great
time... Don.

Reply: No I got a cold on Monday and had two day of limited activity and her name was not Shirley! I got help
from Li Lee, who got me some Chinese Natural medicine (tea that tastes not bad) It is working.


August 22, 2008 11:03 PM
Pins
Background!
Pin trading has been around since the 1896 Olympic game. They have a few made of paper. It took off in
the 1980 at the Moscow games. 1984 is where my brother Patrick & I got in to it. He traded a $3 pin to a wife
of a McDonalds big shot & received in return a pin that was in error & pulled as it was not deemed
acceptable by the International Olympic Committee. There are only 10 of these pins.

So for the past 24 year I have been collecting pins, my hope is to get one pin from each country.

The pins can be broken down into different types. Listed in order of "Olympic collectors" rankings per say.
There is no official pin club or written rules. However Coke has tried in the past to promote collecting.

Types: Official pins (you can skip if you know about pins)

NOC (National Olympic Committee pin) or Country pins. They have the rings and can be generic or dated
with the year or game logo or name. (for the most part not sold)

NOC (team sports) Each country that competes in a sport can make a pin with the rings & Sport logo &
games year + logo. (for the most part not sold)

Sport Federation pins: They don't have the olympic ring. They are either country or club pin of sports. Like
USA Tennis Team or Romania Rowing pin. (some traders will not take these but I love them)

Games pin: Are made by the organizational committee with the logo and/or year and/or rings. They sell to
general public. There can be 100's of designs & count down pins, special holiday pins etc.

Media pins: Pins by the media that cover the games with the ring attached. NBC. CCTV (China) Written, TV
and Radio.

Sponsor pins: There are what they pay millions of dollars for. They have the right to put company logo with
the rings on a pin. Every company is different some make few styles other make 100's. Coke, McDonald, etc.
(given to company employees, or to public or for promotion)

Junk pins: Every pin out there without the Olympic rings. Pins that if you only collect olympic pins are the
ones you don't want.
PIN TRADING IN CHINA!

So far I have pin traded 3 times here. Once at the Coke ten & twice in the OLympic village. Naturtal the best
trading for Olympic pin is the Olympic village as that is where they come from the athlete, coaches, staff. SO
to trade in the village is a pin trader dream come true or a gold mine if you are the dreaded dealer.

The coke tent is where locals & advid traders can get together and trade pins. The coke tent was good for
games & corpoate pins. I trade 2 of mine for 1 of the locals. Most of the time you want to trade 1 for 1. You
can get good pins if you are genourious. I got a set of the clothing make for the China team trading 2 for 1 .
Nice set.

In the village one set up your pins on anything in an area with heavy foot traffic. You can bother
athlete/staff/coaches as they walk by or as perfer just let them come to look at what you have laid out.

The volunteers at time get a free pin for helping out. So they are the next best thing to get the country pins.
They will trade as sometime they want one country or they have two of the same country.

One can spend as I did not Thursday. 6 hours standing and trading pins. It is a constance deal as people
walk by。
China trading compared to other games

The pins are as good looking as other games. There are not as many people at the venues trading pins in
fact I have seen very little trading before & after the event or at 1/2 time.

While waiting for the Track & Field to start I have 2 hours, so I set me pad on the ground to see what I could
attract. I got a lot of lookers as the local Chinese did not have pins.

To me 6 or 7 would come up look, take a picture of me and the pins, speak to each other & try asking me
something maybe to buy then walk off. A nice volunteer who was female & spoke broken English came &
asked to pick up the pin as I was drawing a crowd. I said "That is the point, to let them see the pins & trade!"
She said "We don't want big gatherings and asked very nicely to have me pick them up and walk around.

There were two security personal who took an interest in the pins. They wanted to trade so I may a few
trades with them while picking up the other pins(I carry my pins and a square pad that holds about 30 to 40
that are back with padding so I can lay out 5 or 6 pad & have 150 pins out. Plus that pack up real easy &
quick.) Well off went the Security, the crowd, & the volunteer. I was left holding my pins that no one could
see.

For the most part I would say there are a lot less pin trading here in China than other games amongst the
spectators & locals. In the village it is normal, fast & fun.
This volunteer collected other games pins so I gave him 4 or 5 and he gave me the 400 days to go pins it
was nice not to haggle.
There are one that will take the NOC pins from athlete & turn around put a high price tag on them & sell
them. I am taking about $80 to $200. When they traded a $3 pin to the athlete. These guy I call dealers &
will not trade or do business with.Nippy

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsletter         China # 8
August 20, 2008
Greetings!
Yes I made a mistake and thanks for everybody letting me know. It is MEREDITH VIERA and not Katie in the
picture. It just goes to show that I don't watch morning TV since I retired from ADOT, instead I am out riding
my bike.
Seats:

Nippy thanks for the updates. On the news here in Tucson last night they reported that many of the less
popular venues are only half full and that the govt is hiring volunteers to fill the seats. Maybe you can get in
on that deal, just a suggestion. Watched a few minutes of coverage today on rowing and equestrian and the
seats were only half filled with spectators.   Brian

REPLY: I have not heard of this, I drought this will happen as the seat ore sold people are not going it their
country is not playing & the big corporate sponsors are given or buy many tickets & give them to the upper
management to go to the event.
Well if you are just on the fringe of upper management & have a chance to get your name know in the real
upper management you will be brown-nosing instead of attending an event.
Also the China government has made it clear to the Chinese that they can transfer the ticket once.
I did buy a ticket for the T & F (10,000 meters) for 1200Y or $176 it was a student ticket that sold for 10Y or
$1.47. (I was early & paid to much.)
The Chinese are learning slowly to sell tickets. I got one for Wrestling yesterday for face value as there were
not Chinese athletes competing in the finals.
So I plan on hitting the softball. field hockey. handball. water polo as the Chinese team did not make it to the
finals.

BIRTHDAYS
Readers birthdays
Scott Shipman (19th)
Halie Tease (19th)
Alvin Sewell (23rd)

Let me know of anybody having a birthday.

Yes for Greg at PBAA, even the Olympic have to set up & take down barricades at night went everyone is
enjoying a good beer & food. Here are a few picture of the workers that are doing their job that no one will
know when the walkers & runners go by. For all the volunteers this one is for you behind the seen for all you
do! My hat is off to you!

Special Request
For those who believe
My nephew Justin broke his leg at school last friday, He had it pinned last March. It was a bad break so he
how has a rod kind-a liek his uncle collarbone's plate. Any prayers would be very much welcome as he is still
in the hospital.

Marathon
Cool, China church would be a neat experience, didnt miss much with the marathon, to many people
everywhere and none of them cheered, they all just watched, couldnt even get close enough to tell who ran
for who except china. From Karl here at the Olympic!
Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
Sincerely, Nippy


Reader Question!
(note Subheading

Hi, Nippy! Keep it up. I am enjoying having an unofficial" look at the places and people you are seeing.
I was interested to see in this morning's STAR, a story about how to pronounce Beijing correctly. According
to the person quoted, it is properly said as? Bay-jing. ? Bay-zhing is incorrect. ? I think the guy is a professor
of Chinese at a west coast university. The story points out that NBC's Matt Williams is saying Bay-jing.....and
that Bob Costas is saying it?zhing. So even on the "official" sponsoring network, there's a different opinion!
What are you hearing?
Larry Schnebly

Reply I would say Bay-zing!

Young Chinese
(how China potty-trains!?!)

Here in China one that is under the age of being potty-trained are dressed in a bib or t-shirt with not
bottoms. If they have bottoms they are crouchless. That way when it is time to go they go. (Yes right in
public) I saw one dad holding the baby watering tree & the mother watching and cheering. No landfill full of
pampers, I guess. One person said "They learn faster" I say what about disease & sanitary? Also for a bath
a bowl & water in front of your store is acceptable & done with no one paying attention.

Signature of Chinese
Reader wrote
David Burbank wrote:
Nippy,   Hi! It is nice to hear from you once again! I hope you are well. Quick question. We were watching
vollyball match between the Americans and Chinese, and we noticed that the players signed balls after the
match. I was wondering what a Chinese signature looks like. Do they sign in script or cursive or what?

REPLY:They sign in Chinese for the most part. I have asked them to sign in English & they will do both.

TV coverage.
Reader wrote:

I really enjoy reading all your stories Nippy. I did the same in a smaller scale when I was in Qatar working the
Asian Games in 2006. People always enjoy this kind of reporting. Being Dutch and living in Chicago I would
love to see more international coverage on NBC. I have to get my Olympic news / updates from a Dutch
website. Keep up the good work. be safe! Gerard.
REPLY: Well here in China you get most Chinese events where they win. They will reply it many times, If the
Chinese lose you don't see it again. They will show the Awards for the Chinese Gold medal & maybe the
awards for others but not to after.

However: It is about rating and viewer watching so TV has catered to sponsors dollars. Here is China there
seems to be a lot less commercials. Which is a good thing.
ADBI and Bernard!
1550 m & 10,000

Got into the Olympic Village & ran into Adbi and Bernard. They looked great. I watched both the semi of the
1500m & final of the 10,000. The Kenyaians & Bahrainies took the race out fast in the 1500m & the
Ethiopian took the second lap at 62 second in the 10,000. They were not kidding around in either race. I
have never seen faster races. Adbi looked good and hung around the back of the pack for most of the race,
the last few laps were very fast, the last lap was a all out sprint. In the 1500m, to me it was fast from the gun,
Bernard missed qualifying for the finals by .02 of a second. Sad, he has the 5000m lets hope for the best for
Bernard. Sorry no, yesterday they said yes & today no. Maybe tomorrow

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

China # 7 Swimming and NBC's Today show

Reader wrote!
How much does it cost for the internet use in the cafe?
Reply: 2Y ($0.30) for 30 miunte or 10Y ($1.47)for 3 hours.
do you have to buy a drink or some food also? Reply: Yes to both. No free lunch here.

Hi Nippy,   This is the Dutch volunteer from Athens 2004 (you called me Thor -- it's : Ton). Happy
to hear from you from Beijing !! Two questions : Are you a volunteer or this time a visitor ? And :
how's trading pins ??   Regards mate.   Ton.

Answers: I thought you were the god of thunder & no I am not working any place just hanging out. Yes
traded pin once at the Coke tent. Got about 30 news one now & I give them away to anyone that helps me
out. I would give a bunch to some who could help me upload pictures.

PEOPLE WATCHING

I have notice when on the bus or subway that if there is are seats empty but are separate the Chinese will
not split up & sit in the empty seats. They will sit in one & for the most part the guy will stand. At times they
will both stand if there is no room for both of them. In the Internet Cafe there is some game that a lot of
teens play, one that they all log into & play each other. I joined the gym next to the Internet cafe. The big guy
(employee) has his own bar to lift with. The rest are bent from putting to much weight on them. The big guy
was out smoking when I arrive here. Speaking of smoking, the cigarettes here are real potent & bad. They
are ten times as bad as American cigarettes.

Swimming Getting to there!

I arrived at the Water cube in plenty of time to take pictures & to paint my face in the restroom after enter the
building just in case the security had a problem with a guy's face painted red/white/blue. In the restroom as I
put on the paint the men walking up to use the other sinks take one look & back off to use the other set of
sinks. A few will use the farthest sink away from me. Some tell their friends something in Chinese. It is a
blast walking out of the restroom & getting the looks or stares from he locals. Most American don't react like
the Chinese or the Italians in Torino. Here in China a few brave Chinese ask to have their picture taken with
me. That is one thing they are real polite about asking to take your picture so I always say yes & remember
to ask them.

At cycling, I asked a bunch of men knowing there were police amongst them for a picture. The police exited
out of the area right away into the rain.

When asked for a Chinese to take my picture with my camera they always count to three before taking the
picture.

Swimming

Got a ticket via a friend for the night session of the swimming. I took the ticket, It gave me a chance to meet
my friend & see swimming for the first time in the Olympic so well worth the $179 . It was the men's 50
freestyle 13 heats, women's 800 meter, that is a long way to swim & the men's 100 butterfly & Women's
200m Backstroke. Yep, I got to see Michael Phelps swim. He was all business, getting 2nd & qualifying for
the finals. The crowd went wild when he came out & cheered until he left the building. Then a whole bunch
also left, not staying for the Women's 200m Backstroke . I sat in the upper deck around some Americans. A
couple from California, & a couple from Mesa Arizona who are now living & working in China.

TODAY SHOW!

My good friend Amy is working for NBC but did miss on asking me to work for them (kidding). She told me
about where NBC was filming the Today show. As I left the water cube I was just enjoying the night but
noticed the different between Sydney and Beijing. In Sydney everybody could get into the Olympic area
even if they did not have a ticket, Beijing you must have a ticket so the place was very empty & lacking of a
party/festive time. I was lollygaging taking picture & the light bulb came on the Today Show. I was now on a
mission, find the Today show set. They were putting fence for the marathon so I have to walk a bit once I
found. They were live doing a bit on some American Tai Chen. So I found a place on the rail & hung out the
American flag, ready to stay a while. Looking around the set I see the cooking area, hum I think that is the
place to get to so I move as there is a opening in the perfect place. Set up again. The next piece is with the
crowd in the middle of the circle, I am on the far left but stay. Next is Al & the cooking, a bit on the fortune
cookie, which there are none here in China. I am over Al's left shoulder, Did with my face painted
red/white/blue vertical strips. Did any one see it or better yet tape it? At the break, the rest of the crew came
over & greeted the crowd Katie & the other lady commented positively & gave me a thumbs up on the
painted face. Kate even had her picture taken with me. They are real open to interacting with the crowd & I
heard Kate say to us "thanks for coming out, it makes the show better'!

Worth it weight in Gold.

Mr. Smarty Pants,
Enjoying your running commentary. I liked how you didn't realize what smog was at first.........You need to
find a bike and try a nice long ride. Just watchout for the busses or we'll have to call you Mr. Pressed Smarty
Pants)
Thanks, Your friendly pilot. Dave.

TODAY SHOW

Tracey writes:

Here is the link to the video Nip is talking about. You'll have to cut and paste it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26198849#26198849

Lisa Writes: That was really cool!!!! Did anyone else think that the face painted guy would start acting
crazy??????
Good luck getting tickets, Nip. Love, Lisa

Reply: I could not jump & down as I was standing on the rail holding myself up with my arms to get as tall as
possible. Plus if I acted to crazy they may have cut me out.

Welcome new readers!

Candy (Liu Ying)an Olympic Volunteer who helped me get on the bus tot he cycling time trial.
Karl from Minnesota.
Eugene and his wife in Tucson, Arizona
Special thanks to my roommate Emily who let me use her laptop to upload these pictures Thank!
Observe what it is right, do what is just. Isaiah 56:1

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Smile and the world smiles with you!
In Beijing China!
Love and Peace always! Sincerely,Nippy

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

China # 6 Short Stories
Auguat 14, 2008 10:00 AM
BIRTHDAY WISHES
GREG GOLDBY (14TH)
MARTY FELDHAKE (16TH)

Signing on roadway is European style, round signs with blue background & white pictures. There are some
bike lanes with landscape medians "protection them from cars. But most roads are 4 lanes including bike
lane. The bikes have to share with the buses big time picking up/dropping off passengers and taxis some
time private cars.
RIGHT TURNS!
There are the most unfriendly and dangerous people in the world. The right turn is a none stop movement
no matter what color the light red or green. Also it does not mater if you are a walker in the cross walk or a
bike with the right away i.e. the green light. The cars and buses turn right at break neck speed. It is crazy
and they are in my book the most obnoxious in this country.

Chinese People The don't bow or do they wear silk robe/housecoat. Most are very friendly.

I have been watch at the Time Trial yesterday. With the smog cover the sun is real intense & I was feeling it,
so I put on my rain poncho. It was strange to the security. so all race a plain clothes military man set or stood
very close to me. I got a peak at his badge & the picture was full dress military.
At the Internet cafe now a worker is reading a book at the end of the row maybe watching to see that I do not
up load stuff. It is all good.

Question!
The answer to the question is. 2002 Olympic Torch Relay

They did not extend the steps so that people can push their bikes up the walkway and down!

So far the following got it correct:
Lionel Space First reply.
Rupert Laumann
Marty Feldhake
Dwight Nelson
E Christopher Bryan

One reply The steps not going up all the way across the walkway. So that a rickshaw's
rear wheels can glide smoothly up without bumping along on the stairs.
Cheers- Scott Merry
Answer I have not seen a rickshaw's yet. (best different answer)

The reason they did not extend the steps all the way across is so they can get wheelchairs and carts up the
stairs without building a secondary ramp. Juliane Mortello Another good answer'
MANHOLES!
In all Olympic for security the manholes are bolted to welded down but in part of Beijing and in rural China
where the cycling was at the founder & owner of duct tape should be real proud as they have use two pieces
of duct tape to keep the manhole from be removed & terrorist from climbing in and out the sewer. Wow.
Another use for duct tape other than wallets.

HOME TOWN HERO! GLOBE ARIZONA

If you can get to any men's archery events, one of the American archers is named Brady Ellison, he grew up
in Globe I think. His dad is definitely from here, his name is Alfred and Freeport-McMoran (Alfred works for
them) the mine company that took over Phelps Dodge operations.

You could make a sign about Globe supporting Brady From Marty:

My reply:Thanks Signs are not welcome here as they don't read anything but Chinese and are very afraid it
will say something bad or free Tibet. I will give it a try.

Send in any other small town athlete please.
Shopping
2002 Olympic Torch Relay Here is one of the stores in an up scale mall attached to the subway and a 5 star
hotel. I have seen Prada & Gucci here for my sister-in-lay & niece Julie. I will look for gift ok!.
Short is good right Michael?

From Fr. Albert
Entrust your work to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

In Beijing China!
Love and Peace always!
Sincerely,Nippy

China # 5 Two cycling events in two days.
August 12, 2008 11:26 AM
Sorry there are no pictures of the race, as I was working on them one of the worker pulled the usb plug, I
asked why & he pointed to three men that were walking around the lab. This place has around 200
computers. So pictures tomorrow or I hope to put all 600 plus on a web page.

The stories are long this time as I got wordy. I have been ask to find out what the Chinese think about our
government but it is very hard as they speak so little English & there are so few who speak English. The
other request was about religious & sharing the good news. Again the language barrier. However I was
reading the mass book on the bus. When I finished the man next to me asked if it was a bible. I told him no &
tried to exlain be no go. He asked to read it. I opened it to one of the pages with the Gospels and he read for
a while.

Also I hope I edited the writing, I am going to a drama in Chinese to night.

Nippy

Cycling sign Tomas Feldhake wrote: Go to beach volleyball we watched USA there were about 200 people &
about 1000 empty seats or more , lot of people had rain coats on, most venues only 3/4 full, so strange that
their is no tickets, unless they didn't want to pack each venue for safety reasons & only sold a limited
amount glad to here you are having fun, just becareful. Love Tomas from Pinetop rain and high of 80

Reply: All the foreigners that I have talked to have very little tickets. I would love to go to any event where
they wear very little & are females but again trying to find tickets. I really think all tickets were sold to Chinese
& they brought them thinking they would see China athletes but if there are not Chinese entered they do not
go & they have stories that you can only transfer the ticket once & if you speak only Chinese you have no
was of selling it & scalping will get you in big trouble.
DON'T Worry I am ok, if you read hear about the relative of the USA volleyball coach being killed.

-- Juanita Miller wrote: Nippy, I so enjoy your news letter! The opening was very impressive! Today I
watched the swimmers - Yea USA! Thank you so much for a more personal view of the event. Juanita M.

Reply: Your welcome. Don't see much of the USA on TV here only the local team so it is NBC in reverse! I
saw about 10 seconds highlight that Phelps won one gold so far. (Now 3!)


Cycling Men's Road Race Getting there!

Saturday morning at 7AM I left on bus # 670 to take the famous 919 bus to JuYoun Pass where the Great
Wall is & the circuit or laps part of the road race. Well bus 670 was easy now bus 919 did not stop at the
Wall as it was closed. I could not get my request across that I did not want to see the Wall but the cycling &
you did not need a ticket. I call my one contract in China Li Lee, who was not awake yet after enjoying the
opening of the games. So sorry to wake her up to be my interrupter. One other student from the
Netherlands was also trying to get there. After about 45 minutes we got on a but to Longze. Cost was 6Y or
$0.89 cents.

About 11/2 hour ride and we were dropped off in Longze. We then tried to explain the circuit system & we
wanted to go to JuYoun Pass. After talking to at least 6 Chinese one said we could walk or ride bus 919 but
we needed a ticket remember I said no on Sat. The guy from the Netherlands & I walked under the train
track for about 500 meters. It was about 8 Km (6 miles) to the finish area. I have a gut good feeling about the
bus so I turned back. Once I got to the bus stop a local looking bus stopped 919. All the locals with their very
large bags of stuff mostly clothes tried to get on the bus but the lady would not let them on. I showed her
were I wanted to go & she said yes. It was a mad push by the locals to get on bus when she let me on the
bus. About 6 locals pushed there way on. The driver made each one open their bags & did a "look see". I
would say they had been on the bus many time with the same driver but with the Olympic they were checking.

Off we went the 8km, past a toll booth & into a parking lot with 100's of Chinese with the ticket waiting to get
into the finish line stands. I took a few pictures with my new Canon digital European camera & asked where
the race was but did not get any help. All I was told was I needed a ticket. So the only was out was back
down the road which had Ped fencing. Down the hill inside the fence as there was no place to walk behind
the fence & the volunteers were not interested in me. I notice that the padding for the pillars & the concrete
walls on the downhill curve were on the outside of the rails so if one would crash you would hit the metal
barrier then the soft padding saving you from the dreaded concrete.

Up the other side & found the intersection where the straight part joined the circuit loops. It was now about
11 AM so the race has started in Beijing but would not get there for a good 2 1/2 hours. I looked over the
area & decided after I saw where the TV camera was located that I would take a spot on the wall just north of
the TV Camera where I could get good picture of the race. I was there all alone & then I saw two Australian
& did the Australian mating call. Which after I though stupid Nippy don't attract attention or I will be made to
come down, well to late the two Australian & then 2 New Zealanders and 3 Netherlanders (one the guy from
the bus) made their was up the wall. The police wanted everybody to come down but they said I was up
there so they let us stay. Now the TV crew came to do filming of the beautiful young lady who was Cadel
Evans wife. (see picture at top of page). I asked her for her autograph & told her none of my cycling buddies
would belive me if I did not have proof & got the picture. She was surprised some one would want her
autograph instead of Cadel's. So now the wait for the cyclist. It was nice to chat with the the two from New
Zealand while waiting for the cyclist.

I stayed till the last cyclist came in & walking back to where the bus dropped me off thinking I could sneak on
to a "ticketed bus" that no one would notice one person in 1500 or more. Along the way I found two water
bottle, one from Canada team & the official Beijing Olympic water bottle. Score swag!

Using my better judgement as a white guy would stick out. I started to walk back, about 2 miles a very nice
old man stop & gave me a ride to the town at break neck speed. On one corner we were going over 90
Kilometer per hour, at other times passing a bike honking with traffic on coming, Six Flags rides are tame to
my ride back to the bus. He would not take money but I did give him a pin & he turned around & want back
the way we came. Very nice experience.

Men's Road race

Great race, as the cyclist entered the "finish area" the fans started cheering, Cadel's wife the loudest in
return Cadel gave a big wave. See photo <sorry could not get it uploaded see in next newsletter>. The
seven laps were boring/exciting when the cyclist came around the corner I would start shooting non-stop
pictures then the 35 minute wait until they came around again. Great attacks. During the 3 lap a car was
leaving & the fans standing outside the area that had a bad view pushed forward thus keeping the police
from closing the steel rail again. The tallest started waving his hands saying I want to see the cycling as from
where they were the walkway was empty. Remember cycling fans want to be up close & China is not a
cycling country. All the police, volunteers, Army were pulled over to block the fans. There were two media
crews in the area so they got there camera rolling right in the action. With in minutes there were double the
police & Army there. I noticed that there were only two females volunteers that were dong the interpreting
between English & Chinese. After about 10 minutes the fans won & were allow to move to the fence line
which meant in time we would be over run on the wall. So much for super great picture as the flagger were
now in part of my sight. Plus the smokers, one was father of a 3/4 year old young girl, very sad. Well the
race went on with the break & the finish, we were at 500 meters from the finish & could see all the way up the
hill to the last turn. So did not see the sprint. There was a giant screen TV but it either did not work or we
were at the wrong angle to see the picture. I took over 500 pictures will let you know where you can see
them in a day or two.

Women's Road Race

Well after Saturday trip I though I had it solved, I got to bus 919 & the same lady who talked to Li Lee, said
"Wall closed can not go". So another few calls with a very well meaning volunteer that did not want us to go
as she didn't think we could get back. After 45 minutes we had grown to 7. Four from Spain & two from
Thailand. Did I say it was RAINING, well the rest of the day it rained, I think I got soaked three times. We got
to Longo & the bus dropped us off. I have rain gear & gave some to the Spanish. The one volunteer said
you again. This time I said when asked "Yes I have ticket,". The Spanish lady Anna looked at me & asked
when the volunteer walked away if I had a ticket I said no but if it got us on the bus then yes. This time we
could not get the bus or taxi to JuYong pass. So the Spanish & I started to walk after getting more rain gear.
I don't know where the Thailanders went. After about 4 Km in was clear we would have to walk the whole
way. We made it. During the walk I found out the Spanish couple's daughter was riding for Spain Anna
Sanchis. The father had competed in 1984 in LA with Miguel Indurain.

I went straight to the wall to get my spot & it was blocked off, I was greeted by the female volunteer telling me
I could stand along the fence. I told her I was on the wall yesterday, she said they had a meeting last night &
it was forbidden today so was the area to the left of the turn. So as the Belgian fan on the bus ride home
said the Chinese want to control everything & fans they could not control on Saturday.

The Spanish wanted to get dry & something to drink, so we went looking for a place. There was a store that
sold drinks & snacks. I got a water & it was 5Y (I though highway robbery) as in Beijing it was 1Y. We were
told to go into the restaurant which turned out to be their home. One room with very little, there a two burner
hot plate was the kitchen, one double bed, a few pots & a table with few chairs. So after that the price was
ok. The old lady went out side to cook where she was using wood to start a fire in an oven made of brick.
They had a TV. The young girl was watching every channel but sports.The men were in the store smoking.

So very little pictures on the race because to the rain, I started walking home as the Spanish left before me.
The local guy wanted 100Y for the trip to bus 919. I told them 20Y & they went to 50Y so I went to 20Y. Then
I walked off knowing that there were really nobody left at the race, thinking he would be back in a bit taking
20Y. I found a bus stop & rested hoping for a bus. I young male came by in his mountain bike & said get on
he would take me to the bus now it was about 6K or 4 miles. I had to sit side saddle on the back seat trying
to balance with my pack & the rain & wind. A few times my feet dragged on the ground. It was down hill so he
could coast a lot at what seemed to be great speeds. My legs were getting heavy holding them out straight &
my stomach muscle were getting a work out. We make it without going down & I gave him a few pins for his
efforts. He was very happy. I told him he had very strong legs as they have on clips on the peddles. He
stayed until the bus came, I have the feeling it was a honor to have given me a ride and he would tell the
story to his family & friends. This is the neat part at being here, makes the mess worth it.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?

Opening day!         August 8, 2008 12 noon!

Where I am at it is a normal day so far, most of the stores are open & everybody is going about everyday
life. Not like in the village or at the Committee. The gym is closed that is part of the basement where the
Internet cafe is. This has been a different experience for me being on the outside seeing that the world does
in fact not revolve around the Olympic.

If only the IOC members & Juan Antonio Samaranch & IOC President Jacques Rogge would get out of the
Ivory Towers & really get a feel for the people.

If any of them had to stay where I am staying & try to find information & get around the city by public
transportation they would be completely lost & would never say these game are the best in the world.

Sad to say but the game do have a high archicary & if you are in the "family" you enjoy life very well, there
are no tickets around however as you watch the game notice all the seats that the media are not in & the
"Olympic family" are empty. Not only will there be empty seats but that are the front roll seats. Where are
they? Siting in the fancy hotels eating fancy food. PS The USA vs China game will be full as Pres. Bush,
China Pres, and the IOC will be at the game. end of editorial enjoy the 3+ hour Opening.

I will be in Tan'amen Square watching it on a big screen. There are news that there will be fireworks at 7 to
10 different spots around the city including the main stadium. Remember China invented fireworks.

Weather and USA Cycling Team!
Very hard to really say, it is always "cloudy"!

The USA Cycling athlete's>

They should have been smarter as there were going into the airport which would be AC'ed not from the
plane to outside. Kinda dumb to me. (BONEHEAD move of the games so far!)

I saw an Australian Rower had the mask on but hanging on her chest and not on her face when I arrived.
The first two days it was clear & sunny, the last 4 overcast or cloudy or smog or very overcast, I don't know
as I live in Arizona where it is always sunny.
Today I walk to the Internet cafe, it takes about 1/2 hour & I could not see from one light to the next at 10
AM. The blocks are about 1/4 mile apart or less.

In the afternoon if seems to get better. At night it is dark and with so many city lights it would be impossible to
see any stars.
I am not ridding so I have not had to breath real hard so it has not affected me.

HOWEVER it is VERY< VERY humid here around 80% and today it may be 100%. as I am dripping here in
the Internet Cafe

Local Bike Shop!
bike shop #1 Here are three picture of a local bike shop and the owner in the white t-shirt. Note it is under
the overpass & he is fixing a flat, one of his tools is an old fashion hammer, pliers and wrench. Very unique
and Li Lee told me that the local bike was closed & the building was torn down to widen the roadway. bike
Shop #2
Today he was set up on the other end of the median & had two back tire to fix, there are no quick releases
on the bikes.
Bike shop
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?

#3
Nippy Newsletter China # 3 Trip to Olympic Village
BIRTHDAYS
Special Birthday wish to the following:
Kimberly Feldhake Aug 6th
Patrick Feldhake Aug 6th (40)
Celina Feldhake Aug 6th
Karen Bullock Aug 6th

E-mail me if you have someone that you want on this list.
Question #1
Last Torch bearer?

Jackie Chan 2 votes
An athlete no one knows (1)
Let the underage swimmer/gymnastic athlete do it (1)

Question about Jackie Chan, He has teamed up with a pop star and recorded the theme song for the Beijing
Olympic Games . I have seen most of the video on TV and it is very well done no kung-fu. The song is in
both English and Chinese.
Decoration in Tiananmen Square

Visit Our Sponsor
Questions from Readers

Here are some answers to question from readers. James Young ask cost of housing and food in restaurants.
I am paying $25 a day or $750 for housing which is a two bedroom, very small bath & kitchen & median
dining area & stove is in the over hang. On the 5th floor in a safe but low rent area it think. I have eaten out
twice once in a kind-a of fast food place for 15Y cabbage & lettuce steamed. In another real local place for
15Y ($2.24) which I took the waitress suggestion without knowing what I was getting, bowl of noodles &
fantastic salad with some kind of mushrooms & lots of garlic. It was super. I have seen high class joints but I
am a retired ADOT person. PS I carry written in Chinese that I don't eat ant meat, fish, chicken.
Pin Count:

Gabon, China Mobil Olympic Sponsor, China flag heart non-ly, Korea NOC, China Flag with Andorra, button
China Mascott Cycling.

Issue: # 3         August 6, 2008 1:00 PM
China store
Main Article Trip to Olympic Village
If you know me then you will know I can get places one is not allowed. So after taking my new roommate to
downtown Beijing & going to the a different hotel then tow cab rides later at the French House where was a
news conference with the French Handball Teams (French Men are favorites). PS it is not like racket ball.

I forgot my maps for the first time. So off on the subway to go to the Olympic Green Zone & try to find my way
to the village where I was to meet Pat Hassett & pick up some swag. On the subway line 5 to line 10 to line 8.
It was someplace where a young Chinese man wanted to help me get there so he said follow him. Off we
went, as we got closer there were more & more Chinese as in major rush hour. For the past 9 Olympic game
the Opening ceremonies has two dress rehearsal usually the two day before the opening, well in China that
have had 4 so far & who know how many more. Being rehearsal night you have to have a ticket. The line 8
was closed so I was dumped out in the street & my new friend say sorry you need a ticket & left so much for
help.

I walked around & was helped by a volunteer as to which bus to take to the Olympic Village. Only to find out
he told me the wrong side of the street. Because of all the security I decided to take out two cameras & look
official as I was going slow to get a good feel for the area. I then asked two volunteers that had OLV on their
badge where to get the bus. I got on the bus & paid the 1Y. It went around the area & then came the double
fence so I knew we were traveling along the village. The bus passed the stop but I didn't get off as I have not
phone & was 2 hours late to met Pat. I figure I would head home & come back in the morning.

At the subway stop that I got off the bus was not the someone I was at. So I walked to the corner & stood
looking. A different badged volunteer man in middle 40's asked me if I need help, I tuned & notice a military
person standing close taking close interest in me. I told the volunteer that I was trying to get to the Olympic
Village to get books from my friend. He said the village was close, I told him I have no phone to call my friend
& he asked for the number & called Pat. I did not know where I was at but Pat got me in the right direction &
so I told the man (Frank really) I would take the bus. Well the security man said it was closed & I couldn't got
to the bus, now I had just come from there. So Frank said to take a taxi, so I said to was to expense meaning
the bus was cheaper. After Frank calling and trying to flag down a taxi we got one. While waiting for the taxi I
gave Frank a pin. (remember they are like gold)! Hey Frank was coming with us. It was fun siting silently as
Frank showed his badge to the police and get through the road blocks with me & the taxi driver with out
passes. Also knowing we should not be there. We got to the village & I went to pay the 28Y however Frank
said he would pay. What could one do but be a wonderful guest & allow him & thank him. I don't know if
Frank was the supervisor or he just left his post. we were gone a while. A security guard made the taxi leave
so Frank took the bus back I think after passing me off to another volunteer with a phone who could speak
English. Pat came out with the swag (books) & talked for 45 minutes when <<< You will not believe this.

I have my Southwest Hand Jersey on & my back pack Pat is in the volunteer uniform when a man and woman
asked if we had any pins. Out I pulled about 50 pins on two pads. He asked what country I said USA . A trade
was made for a Gabon NOC pin for a USA NOC pin. Pat notice his badge said Prince of Gabon. Pat also got
a pin.

AT the same time I see Coach Lee from U OF A on the cell phone about 5 feet away. I reached over a said
hi. After the pin trade Coach Lee asked if I was out trading pin, Naturally I said. Coach Lee look real good
trying to meet a friend at the village entrance (good luck). So USA and U of A are in the village & Bernard
Legat are doing great. For all you T & F fans. I made a few more trades with a local volunteer got 5 traded
7. (pays to give & extra one once in a while). I road the bus to the subway which was closed so back on the
bus to the village where I got a cab home which was 2.3 Km for 11 Y or about $1.64 not that is my price.
What a great day!

Welcome new readers
Forbidden city
So far I have met 4 wonderful young Chinese who wanted to speak better English they are Paul (artist),
Huang (engineering student female), Zhaio (history english student)
Welcome!
Life is short!
Don't forget to tell your significant other you love them
& if you have kids especially them!
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Smile and the world smiles with you!
In Beijing China!
Love and Peace always!
Sincerely,
Nippy Feldhake

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

This is the first from Beijing and I am off a bit as it is very smokey here and a few guys smoke. Sorry no
new photos as I can not hook in the the machine. I hope to find a better place, but wanted to get something
out to you as time is clicking by.

The last picture was of Prince Albert and yes he was out of the can! That was in Athens 2004 in the Olympic
Village.

Exchange rate 1 Yuan (China Yuan Renminbi) or RMB is about $0.67.

History of Beijing! or things I have leaned for now!

There are 20 million people living in Beijing, and 1.3 billion in China. Most all have black hair. In Beijing,
there are 56 Ethnic groups, and the grown up (senior citizen are a fast growing group). There are 20
thousand busses so you don't have to wait long. Most stops have 5 to 8 buses stopping. It is costing me 1
yuan to ride the bus but I think it is rated on how long you ride. There is a driver and a person in the middle
of the bus that takes the money but most use a card. She tells what the next stop is and puts her hand out to
let the cars and bikes know the bus in moving over to stop. So far none have spoken English. You get on
the bus in the middle and off at the front or back.

There are 6 subway lines. Lines 1,2,3,5,8,10, Don,'t ask where 4,6,7,9 are? The cost is 2 yuan. They are
very clean and have nice video on each sport to watch. They are a little more polite than people from
Athens when it comes to getting on the train. They kind of wait for the one's to get off unless it is crowded
and them it is get in. They all rush to get a seat.

You can cross the street if the light is red but you have dodge the taxis coming and bikes.

Bike are all over the place and they have bike lane in a lot of places. Most bikes are one speed and very
old. They carry all kind of stuff on the bikes. Half the bike have a back seat for some one to sit. Most have
fenders and about 25 PSI in the tires. Fat Tires or very low. Have not seen a bike shop yet and one would
think you could make a good living fixing them but it does not look like anyone maintains the bikes.

They have many TV stations and one English station. There had a story of a man who made a dragon kite
that was 70 meters long or 229 feet with 126 masks and a very large dragon head. It did fly. He hopes to fly
in on Opening day. It was very impressive.

Flight on AA and Japan Airlines.

I left my house at 4:30 AM with my sister to the Tucson Airport. It was a nice drive after getting about 2 hours
sleep. I had to clean the house before I left.

On Southwest Air to Los Angles. Tucson flight has 50 people and in LA there were 1000's. Ready for the
real world. It took a while to get boarding pass and luggage then through security. The air-line person at SW
said they allow for 4 hours will she was not off by much.

On America Airlines & the flight cost only $55 as I use Frequent flyer miles but don't fly that much I play the
gave real well. The plane was real full. I did not get my veggie meal but an airline hostess went to first class
and got me some steamed veggies very nice if you fly first class.

Watch enough movies to keep me done for months. Changed plane in Tokyo. The airport is very clean &
very open. I checked with Japan airline ticket person & she got me a veggie meal with only one hour notice.
Gave her a pin.

Flight was smooth to China. The new airport is very impressive. Very big and open spaces. This is where I
started giving away pin to the first volunteers I saw, Kind of like when you become an officer in the military
your first salute you give the person a dollar so I am told.

They were very in Ah. Got everything done and my ride was not there so I waked around and talked to the
Australian team of rowers that had just landed.

I would say so far in Beijing I have at least 10 time drawn a crowd of people when I asked a question. It seem
like one in 10 speak any English and that is kind of fun. Every one wants to help but only one speak English
and it is usually a female. I was trying to get a phone book to call the person I was waiting for as I forget the
phone number. There are not phone books in China in think.

Off to the apartment. If was about a 45 minute drive. Nice expressway and not a lot of traffic at 11 PM.

The place is old (building) inside very clean,. Good bed and AC in the bed room only. No elevator. 5 floors
good for the climbing legs. Small bathroom there you shower in the same area as the sink and toilet.

Quite place. It will be home for 30 days.

Comments about the air and media!

For what I have breathed and seen it is not as bad as everyone told me. I think that the media have been
here for a week or to and have had a drink with their buddies and are waiting for the games to start so they
can fine the "stories" to write or report you know the one about drugs and bad stuff. So they are writing
about the bad air. Can one take a picture and make it look different than what it is? Yes one can and I can
show haze or smoke and make it look worse that it is. Yes it is hot here but it is summer. In the apt it is 85
when I get home and humid. But not unbearable or awful.

I am sure there are day when it get bad. I remember in LA in 94 and in Athens in 04 I heard the same tune
about the weather and in 96 oh boy they said the HOT Atlanta heat would crush the athletes.

The president of the country had a meeting with the media to speak about censorship as some web sight
are blocked. He did ask for the games to be left out of the political area. Let see 1980 boycott and 1984
also!   I am not saying there are not human issue here but I think the media is going over board.

For me if the reporters would get out of the plush Hotels and media center and just walk around the
neighborhoods they can get a feel for the "people" of China. If they try eating in a local place instead of the
fancy hotel or 5 star restaurant maybe they will see what it is like in Beijing.

I would say for the most part the people of China are no different for the rest of the world. They live from
month to month or pay check to pay check. They enjoy some thing in life and are being bombarded by the
"new " things Flat screen TV. Cell phones and cars and ..... they may be a bit poorer but are still the same.

I don't see many tattoos or "bling" on the young people and up till now not to many smokers but in an
Internet cafe there are the ones that smoke and with no AC it is bad in here. Need to find a new one.

PIN COUNT:

Gave away 35 pins and got one:

First pin is the Volunteer Pin. It will be a highly sought after pin once the game begin and the pin collectors &
dealer show up. (Got it out of the way early, very nice trade well I gave the volunteers pins and one gave me
his.) As most don't have any yet.

Nippy's Olympic history (semi-Breif) Suggestion from Lisa Mahon Salt Lake City 2002 Housing Staff. House
(?)

Short Bio!
For those of you that are new to these or may not know me. Here is a short Bio of my Olympic experience.
Chine 2008 will be my 10th Olympics Game. My first was 1984 Los Angles where I scalped tickets to pay for
the trip as 6 family members went to the games. This is when the "pin collecting took off. The next two game
Seoul and Calgary were again as spectator. Then 92 Barcelona and a very close but not stint with the
American Samoa Olympic Cycling team and alternate athlete. In 1996 in Atlanta I was on paid staff as a
construction manager for the Olympic Village, Next was 2000 in Sydney where I volunteered and assigned to
main Olympic park helping out. In 2002 I was again on paid staff working in the Olympic Village as a housing
supervisor. In 2004 in Athens I worked again in the Olympic Village as an Assistant to the athletes. The best
was Torino in 2006 where I was an NOC assistant driving the head of the Australian delegation and having
an all access pass. For China looks like I will just trade pins and watch if I can get any tickets. Did not get
any jobs.
Life is short! Don't forget to tell your significant other you love them
& if you have kids especially them!
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Smile and the world smiles with you!
In China!
Love and Peace always!

Sincerely,
Nippy Feldhake

Nippy's Report