Pandas and Beach Volleyball!!!

Date: August 11, 2008

Location: AP Bus

Time: 8:30 am

PANDAS! As I mentioned in my earlier entries, I really wanted to see the pandas at the Beijing Zoo. Well, today was the day. Besides having not fully recovering from the crazy adventure day before, I was up and ready for the trip to the zoo at 7:00 am. I haven't slept in once in my time here in China and although I fall asleep whenever I sit down for more than 5 mins. I'm glad I've been enjoying everything this place has to offer. So, oh yeah, back to the Pandas. The Beijing Zoo seemed as though it was in the middle of the city, surrounded by old buildings and rushing cars. Speaking of cars, I've noticed that the majority of cars and buses here are stick shift. I actually remember my mom telling me about the first time she came to the U.S. and drove an automatic car and how excited she was about it. Just another thing that, I think, some people take for granted. I mean, can you imagine driving stick through Beijing traffic at rush hour?!!? Painful.

As we walked in, we passed by a few notable animals, including some lions and foxes.

As soon as we saw the sign for the Panda exhibit, we dashed over.

The pandas were incredibly adorable. We all wanted to steal one, but I figured out that a baby panda weighs as much as 80lbs so I don't think the panda stealing could have been accomplished. There were about 5 baby pandas just playing and eating, I got so jealous.

The plans for the evening included watching 6 matches of Men's and Women's Beach Volleyball! How exciting! My sister demanded that I attend this event, so I did. Hope you're happy Kara!

Good news is that both U.S. teams won, bad thing is my computer deleted a majority of the photos from the game :( but I did get to see Kobe Bryant and Mitt Romney at the event..too bad you guys can't see the pictures I took. I guess you'll just have to make my word on it. Here are the pics that I did keep. The older lady who sat next to me was commenting on 'how wonderful the men were in beach volleyball." haha she was totally checking out all the players. Especially those from the Netherlands.

Outside the venue before the games, I was fascinated by this huge man made sandpit. People were flocking to it, mostly the locals. I was thinking to myself, "Why would you play in the sand? Do they know that sand gets EVERYWHERE?!?" The truth is, people around here don't really have the luxury of driving to South Padre Island whenever they wanted to play in sand. Being really puts everything, even the little things, into perspective.

We ended up staying for all 6 of the matches and when it was finally over, this is what I saw as I walked out of the venue. It was so beautiful.

I'll end this post with one of the best pictures from my trip thus far, thanks for the great camera work Lana.