Snap Happy..

The fella who sits next to me here in the media center is my suitemate, Nelson, and is also the lead photographer in our Beijing bureau. He's coordinating our photo coverage for the Olympics and because his desk is inches away from mine, I'm frequently put to shame just looking over and seeing all the amazing pics he's coming back with every day. Of course, he's also got one lens that cost $12,000 alone..

One of the nice perks for photogs here is that Canon, one of the Olympic sponsors, has an office downstairs from which they'll let the snappers borrow equipment each day, basically like a library for cameras. Nelson was good enough to let me use one of the ones he took out, so one afternoon -- when the sun was shining and there was no smog to be seen hanging in the air -- I decided to get out of the MPC for an hour or so, wander the Olympic Green and snap away.

A mini-parade was rolling by as I strolled through the Green, so took a few shots of a couple of the floats, focusing on the ones I figured Hana and Maia would like best..
The day before, we got some serious rain in the evening and into the night. The result seemed to be that the pollution was washed away, the skies were mostly clear and the sun was shining brightly. It was actually the first in a stretch of great weather days..

There are lots of places to wander in the Olympic Green, which is home to the Bird's Nest stadium, the Water Cube, the main television tower, the sponsor's village, lots of places to wander (see below) plus other venues that house events such as fencing, gymnastics, handball, water polo, modern pentathlon...

The above pic is from the Bird's Nest stadium -- where all the track and field events are held -- looking across the street to our media village. The white "L" and "M" towers are visible in the front; mine is the "Q", which is tucked back a bit..

The above is the view from the other side of the Bird's Nest stadium looking toward the Water Cube, where all the swimming and diving events are held. Behind is a funky-shaped office buiding/hotel with a gigantic digital screen on the front.

While walking through the paths next to the stadium, I saw this little girl walking up and down a sculpture while holding the Chinese flag..

A full picture of the main stadium, with the flaming torch visible just left of center. We've had a few discussions about how teams in the U.S. should think outside the box a bit while building new stadiums.. This is one impressive venue. Of course, the NFL teams that could use a stadium like the Bird's Nest -- the Eagles, Cardinals, Seahawks and Falcons -- all have new facilities.. Maybe an aquarium-themed stadium for the Dolphins?

Some passionate Chinese fans strolling between the stadium and Water Cube.. The government's sports machine is churning out some good athletes and the hosts have dominated sports like shooting, wrestling, diving, gymnastics, etc..

Here's the main TV tower in the complex (above). It's pretty cool at night, lighting up in different colors and has wires at the top that run to a couple of the nearby venues or office buildings so they can run cameras, which makes for some good shots.

The sun is shining and it's warm, so inevitably someone comes down with heat exhaustion. I think that was the case here... It's not surprising on sunny days to see the umbrellas everywhere and people sitting in whatever shaded areas are around.

The gymnastics venue with the Water Cube in the background...

On the left above is the main entryway to the Intercontinental Hotel, which is attached to the back end of the Main Press Center. Some excellent restaurants in the Intercontinental, which is closer to us in our MPC office than the food court downstairs.. On the right is one of the many umbrellas you'll see on a sunny day...

The Olympic rings and the Chinese flag fly side by side..

Back in the MPC, a masseuse room is one of the things available for overworked and overstressed journalists.. You sign up on a sheet -- usually have to do it a couple days in advance because of the demand -- and then get a 15- to 20-minute neck, shoulder, upper back massage. I did it the one day and it just wasn't enough to work out all the kinks from too many hours and not enough sleep. They also have a small gym next to this room as well as a barbershop..

Some traditional Chinese medicines on the wall in the masseuse room. Snapped as I waited my turn..

Back in the MPC bunker, Scott wonders why when he calls the U.S. at 2 p.m. Beijing time, nobody answers...

Aussie mate Baynes asking when its time for some Tsingtao beers while Singapore-based Grant ponders what request is going to come down next from above. He's running the show for us here in Beijing. Larry plugs away at everything Phelps in the background..