Security: Surprisingly efficient and orderly (I say surprisingly because the previous experiences I've had with lines -- airports, getting into a basketball game, etc. there was no such thing as a line - just a mad push to the front). Queues were to show your tickets (which are extremely high-tech, each have an electronic chip inside), then you scan your ticket on a computer screen - and a camera takes your photo at the same tim e- and then the queue to go thru the medal detector. The staff had their English down pat, and all the spectators, foreign and Chinese nationals waited patiently (the whole process was about 10 minutes). The worst part of the whole thing was that we brought a few bottles of water, but they weren't allowed in. So Aaron and I chugged what we had before we got in. I thought...."I hope the toilets are nice!" (See below for follow-up)
Birdsnest: Ranks in the top 3 of the nicest, cleanest public bathrooms I've been in China. We're talking Western toilets (aka seat vs squat), toilet paper (vs BYO-TP), soap, paper towels, the works! Rather than my usual hold-til-i-burst routine, which leaves me feeling ok about the nastiness because I have to pee so badly, I took advantage of these facilities twice during our 3 hour Track and Field event.
Birdsnest: Surprisingly inexpensive. 2 bottles of water, 2 ice creams = $1.50
Birdnest: The seats are for tiny-tushies. Or maybe for a pre-school. Or maybe the average Asian ass. Either way, the seats were quite cozy for our American buns.
When you have a ticket to an event, you are allowed into the area of the Birdsnest and Watercube. The only thing for sale inside is food/beverages. And even still, there are not a ton of these vendors. You'd think there would be all sorts of vendors selling overpriced Olympic paraphernalia.
The Olympic paraphernalia is located in official Olympic stores all over Beijing. While ridiculously crowded (gotta sharpen your elbows to hang with the pushing), it is also surprisingly affordable. $15 for a cotton, polo with the Olympic logo.
Events: extremely high energy at the stadium. Whenever a Chinese athlete was long-jumping or javelin throwing, the crowd would explode. Also, sitting a few rows in front of us was Anna Goodale, US gold medalist for rowing (she was wearing her medal which was REALLY cool). She was completely mobbed by the Chinese. She seemed happy to soak up with papparazzi for a while, but stealthy escaped after about 15 min.
Water-Fountains: in the public space between the Birdsnest and the Watercube are big open water fountains that are choreographed to music. The fountains are not separated from the walking area so anybody can walk thru the water. It was quite a scene, from little kids stripped down to their skivvies, to parents wrapping their kids in raincoats to stay dry. It was a wonderful way to bring children together from all over the world, bonded by the giggles of the feeling of water spraying up their shorts!!
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