MY JOURNALS FOR 2004 ATHENS AND 2008 BEIJING
I traveled to Greece with the Tiffin University Olympic Academic Experience when I was 10 years old and a student at St. Mary's Elementary school in Tiffin, Ohio. I hand wrote in a diary on most of the days I was in Europe. I will transcribe the handwritten notes and post them below. You can easily read my Beijing entries when I was 14.
JOURNAL - BEIJING, CHINA 2008
I began really keeping a daily journal on the second week of the trip. I have included my most memorable experience and then added my journal entries. Scroll down to review the journal for Athens
Click HERE to read my journal on page 34 of Tiffin University's 2008 Fall/Winter Challenge Magazine
My Most Memorable Day - An Adventure in China
One day, my mom decided to stay with the group watching the Game so she gave me they key to our room and sent me off with Leigh and Liz. That is when the adventure began.
We climbed into a cab and we then realized that the cab driver spoke no English, so we found a woman on the street who could speak English and Chinese so she told him to take us to Sun City. The cab driver slowly pulled away and headed south? We were confused because out home was way, way, way, way north. The cab driver pulled into the drive of the Sun City hotel and kicked us out of the cab.
Luckily, Leigh spotted an Olympic venue nearby so we walked there to ask a volunteer where a subway station was but it was just our luck that none of the volunteers spoke any English. We found an Australian woman who just so happened to live in Beijing and also was fluent in English and Chinese so she happily pointed us to the subway. When we got on the subway, we didn’t know which way to go so we asked another volunteer. Just our luck, she pointed us in the wrong way! We had to find home all by ourselves!
We founded the right way on the subway finally and headed home. Our home was so far north that we had to take a cab another couple miles after we got off of the subway. It was pitch black and pouring down rain outside as us three Americans, lost in Beijing attempted to call a taxi. We finally got a taxi but he did not speak any English, he couldn’t even say hello in English! We argued with him for 45 minutes on how to get to Sun City, but he just did not know where it was. We tried everything from sign language, to drawing pictures, and finally we pulled out the receipts of the local grocery store. He just still had no clue! After 45 minutes of arguing, the cab driver got out of the cab and headed to the trunk of his cab. We thought that he would pull out a knife or a gun and we would be goners. He pulled out a map and we were so happy…..we finally were home!
Aug 5, 2008: Tuesday
I've been in an airplane the whole entire day! In the plane there are TV screens on the back of every seat where you can play games, watch TV, and listen to music. The games were not working so i watched Kung Fu Panda, What Happens in Vegas, and Nims Island. They served us five meals on the place and we had to eat food with chopsticks. They served us Chinese noodle soup also. I could not sleep on the plane at all! That I was not happy about. Flight time - Fifteen Hours.
We arrived in Beijing around 3:00pm , 3:00am USA time. Thankfully no one lost any luggage, We first went to the school where we were staying to see our rooms. The room my mom and I had included 2 beds, a TV that didn't work, a toilet, a desk, and a shower. The room was dirty, but we lived. That night, our hosts Tom, Jessica, and Stephanie took us to this ginormous room where we were welcomed by the schools headmaster. After our meeting, our hosts took us to a fantastic dinner! The name of the restaurant was XI Shu Soh Hau Zhuang. I have no clue how to pronounce that name though.
We sat down at a round table. In front of us was a glass, a bowl and spoon, a tiny plate, and chopsticks. In the center of the table was a huge spiny thing that they put all the food on. We stated out by having hot tea and coke. Then we were served many vegetables such as lettuce, squash, corn, and much more. Next we were served the meats such as pork, chicken, tofu, and tofu soup. Then we were served dumplings and noodle.s. Next we were served Beijing Duck and Fish. They were both surprisingly very good. Finally we were served fruit and duck feet soup. The bathroom was in the ground! It was very hard to use. After dinner we returned to the school. I spent most of the night in Kate and Lana's room watching High School Musical 3 in English and playing my new favorite game, phase 10.
Aug 6, 2008: Wednesday
Today we climbed the Great Wall of China!
Aug 11, 2008: Monday
Today looks like a great day for Stephanie to take us to the Zoo! 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. The bus first kicked my mom and Dr. Mackey off at the subway to pick up tickets for events. That left all the students, Stephanie, and I to go to the zoo. At the zoo we got to see all the baby pandas that were so cute! After the zoo, we went to Chaoyang Park to hand out beach volleyball tickets to the students. Everyone but my mom, Dr. Mackey, and I had tickets to volleyball. So we took Devin to the pearl market to buy pearls for his mom, then Devin took a taxi to volleyball and the two adults and I went home to get some good rest.
Aug 12, 2008: Tuesday
Today I get to go see my favorite Olympic sport ever!! What is it? Why it’s softball of course! As soon as we get to the venue, we run in to Fran from Alabama! We hung out with Fran a lot in Athens. We also ran into Craig Osterman and his aunt Michelle and they brought more family members this time! They had Cat and Craig’s little brother Chris (13), her cousins J.R. (10), and Claire (12). They were a blast to hang out with. The games were Chinese Taipei VS. Canada (Canada wins) and USA VS. Venezuela (USA wins 13-0). The only thing nobody really enjoyed was the beaming sun all morning. It was the first day of clear skies during our stay here in China. We all totally got into the spirit of the games. With face paint and American flags in hand, we made our area of the stands super American! The highlight of the game was that Jennie Finch was pitching for USA. She did amazing! After the game, we got to meet the Softball team and get autographs.
After softball, my mom and I were off to the Water Cube to see swimming. The Olympic Green was beautiful. We were so close to the birds nest, it was unbelievable. I know the question you all want to know. Was the cube squishy? Yes it was! Unfortunately, Michael Phelps was not swimming but we did get to see the USA relay team shatter the world record and the Olympic record!
Aug 13, 2008: Wednesday
Softball, the Olympic Green, a crazy Asian lady and Handball? Today we saw another softball game, USA Vs. Australia (USA wins). The game was a good one. Catherine took a little to get in the zone, but once she did, it was good! She ended up with 13 strikeouts and a no hitter. This is only the 2nd one pitcher no hitter in Olympic history. Crystal Bustos hit a two run homer to give us some excitement. It was a fun game. After softball we headed over to the Olympic green again to shop. We went to the Olympic superstore. It was amazing; you had to wait in a 30min line just to get in the store.
After shopping, we needed to hurry over to handball across the street. This crazy Asian woman motioned for us to follow her to the handball arena. She sprinted all the way there and we made it to the arena 15min after the first game had started. Handball was an amazing sport to watch. Why isn't Handball and American sport? After seeing it today, I cannot understand why this isn't popular in the states: it's violent, fast paced and involved people having to be ice-packed to health. After all, ice packs fix everything. For those who want to know what Handball is, it is actually a nice combination of dodge ball, hockey, basketball and ultimate Frisbee. It's a pretty easy concept. The underdogs from Hungry won by 1 point.
Aug 14, 2008: Thursday
Rain, Volleyball, more rain, and Hard Rock Café? The Original plans for the day today were to get up bright and early, head to the volleyball arena and then go to the Hot Springs with the Osterman Family. Rain ruined our plans. We ended up seeing men’s volleyball and going to the downtown Beijing Hard Rock Café. Volleyball was amazing! They could jump over the volleyball net! Watching the Olympic volunteers sweep the floor every time out was exciting too.
After the volleyball game, we waited in the rain for our bus to come and pick us up but, that did not happen. We had to once again taxi it to our school. When we got to the school, most of the students had decided to go to Hard Rock Café so my mom and I decided to do that. It was a blast! We got to eat AMERICAN Burgers and Fries and Lemonade!!
Aug 15, 2008: Thursday
Softball, Birthday’s, more softball, and basketball! Today my mom and I became part of the Osterman Family to watch the USA double Header, USA Japan, and USA Canada. Today was Chris’s 14th birthday so we let him go fetch beer for everyone. The game was great! USA started out by hitting 4 homers in the first inning to score 5 all together in inning 1! Once again, USA pitched a no hitter against Japan. Next, all of the stands cleared out except for the Family and Close friends of the USA players, and the Canadians. So it was pretty much a private softball game. This was the only game in a lot of years that USA had an error. The game still left us sitting on the edge of our seats until finally USA pulled out another win.
After softball, we went to watch USA Women’s Basketball. That was not very exciting to me, especially because I don’t understand basketball that well.
Aug 16, 2008: Friday
Goodbye Beijing. Today in our last day in Beijing. I had a lot of fun while I was here. Today my mom, Leigh, Liz, Keisha, Derek, and I are going to the Hot Springs to relax before our plane ride home. The Hot springs were beautiful. We got to sit in Tea Baths, Relax in the sun, and get $10 massages. After the hot Springs, we returned to the school one last time to say goodbye to the Headmaster, the Headmistress, Jessica, Tom, The Beloved Stephanie, and of course our all time favorite Bus Driver. It was defiantly a trip I will remember for the rest of my life. So, Goodbye Beijing, Hello London!
JOURNAL - ATHENS GREECE 2004
When I was ten years old, I hand wrote in a journal when I was at the Olympics in Athens, Greece. I also drew pictures in the original journal every single day. We stayed at the house of Spyro who was a friend of one of the chaperone's . We slept on his roof on a plastic raft. The intense sun woke us up early every morning. The nights were cold. The roof overlooked a bunch of vineyards and red rooftops and the Agean Sea. Every day it was a long mile walk down a steep hill to catch a public bus to take us to the Metro. Every day it was a long mile walk up the same steep hill to get back to Sypro's. He let students smash plates and yell "OPA" every night and then in the morning he would sweep it up. The other chaperone on the trip, Dr. Janet Hanna, died in a plane crash years later. Below is exactly what I wrote in the little blue journal I kept with me. I
Day One - Friday, Aug 6, 2004
Today I am going to Michigan to get on a plane to go to Greece! First, my dad brought me an my mom to the Michigan airport. Next we checked in our luggage and met everyone. Then, we sat down and waited for everyone to get there. Soon when 16 out of the 17 were here, they called our seats to get on the plane. We realized that one person wasn't here yet. So we got on the plane and our missing person was on the plane already. The plane was so cool. IT had a TV screen on the back of each chair! You could play games, watch movies, and even listen to music. I did all this. We had to spend the night on the plane and I really didn't sleep.
Day Two - Saturday August 7, 2004
We just got off the plane and here we are in Amsterdam. When we got off the plane we went on a train to get to a canal boat So we got on a boat and traveled on down the river. It was very boring. We saw tons of bikes all over Amsterdam. Soon we sat at a table and had some drinks. Then we got on a train to go back on a plane. I slept on the plane the whole way to Greece. Here we are in Greece! I am so EXCITED!
Day Three - Sunday, August 8, 2004
This morning I am going to Olympia. When I got on the bus I sat behind my mom. I didn't sleep on the bus but I tried. About half way there we stopped at a place to get some food. I got a hot ham and cheese sandwich. The we all got back in the bus. The rest of the way there I listened to music. Before you know it, we were there@ We stayed at a place call the Olympic Palace. When we got into the hotel room our TV didn't work so we had to get a new one. Then we went shopping and bought a bag and two shirts. Then we went to the Olympic site. We saw the Temple of Zeus, Temple of Nero, columns, the Olympic stadium, and rock. Then we went out to dinner. We had twelve courses. It was yummy. Next, we went back to the hotel to sleep.
Day Four - Monday, August 9
This morning I got back on the bus and about half way there, we stopped at a place to look at a canal. We decided to go bungee jumping into the canal. I didn't weigh enough. Next everyone who was going jumping got tested. Finally we got to the bungee jumping place. We counted too. Then my mom jumped off the bridge into the canal. The bus driver threatened to leave us but we made it on just in time. I got to yell "Oh-Pa" and break a plate on the floor. I stayed up till 5:00 in the morning!
Day Five - Tuesday, August 10
This morning I woke up and got on a bus to the US Embassy. When we got there, we shopped and had lunch. Soon it was time to go to the meeting. When we sat down, I fell asleep. So, I slept through the whole meeting. When it was over, the person who was talking ave us a pin. Then we got on the bus to go to the Acropolis. It was very hot when we got there. We started to climb the Acropolis. My mom took a lot of pictures. I got hotter with every step I took. When we go to the top I was dying. We got to met the Brazilian women's basketball team and got their autographs. Then we got on the metro to go home and I fell asleep.
Day Six - Wednesday, August 10
We went to the Mediterranean beach and played two wiffle ball games.
Day Seven - Thursday, August 11
Today we went to an island on a ferry. We got to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. We also booked at a motel - Marimar Bay Hotel.
Day Eight - Friday, August 13
This morning Sypro took us to the torch run. It was like a giant parade. I got to hold the torch and get Greek flags. Then we went to the main stadium. I had a USA flag and everyone wanted my picture! Next we went to swim at the Oasis hotel. We met two girls named Francis and Carol and they wanted to go to a war to watch the opening ceremonies. I thought it was awesome. It took us two cab rides and the Metro to get to Spyro's.
Day Nine - Saturday, August 14
Today I went tot he US and Italy softball game. I had a lot of fun and I got on TB. After the game I met the softball team (USA) and Dot Richardson!
Day Ten - Sunday, August 15
Today I went tot he women's cycle race. Then I went to a USA and Australia softball game. I got to talk to the team again.
Day Eleven - Monday, August 16
Today I went to the USA and Japan softball game. They had to have extra innings. We still one. A guy from the Chicago-Tribune took my picture. Then I went to an archery game in a marble stadium. Then I went to a Greek dinner with two of the students. After dinner we saw people on stilts carrying torches.
Day Twelve - Tuesday, August 17
Spyro took us to an island. We swam in the sea. Then we ate spaghetti at a restaurant. Soon I got to sleep in a hotel for 11 hours.
Day Thirteen - Wednesday, August 18
Soon we checked out of the hotel. We went to the beach and I met two Greek kids. We played for hours. We saw lots of Octopus. Then we went home to Spyros and had dinner. Then we went to the Port of Rafina and saw the big ships.
Day Fourteen - Thursday, August 19
We went to a USA vs. Greece softball game. They had a kids carnival. I had my hair wrapped and played and we met up with Cat's (Cat Osterman) aunt and brother.
Day Fifteen - Friday, August 20
We went to a USA vs Taiwan softball game. Then a US vs. Spain basketball game. Then we got on the plane and I slept all the way home.
Day One - Friday, Aug 6, 2004
Today I am going to Michigan to get on a plane to go to Greece! First, my dad brought me an my mom to the Michigan airport. Next we checked in our luggage and met everyone. Then, we sat down and waited for everyone to get there. Soon when 16 out of the 17 were here, they called our seats to get on the plane. We realized that one person wasn't here yet. So we got on the plane and our missing person was on the plane already. The plane was so cool. IT had a TV screen on the back of each chair! You could play games, watch movies, and even listen to music. I did all this. We had to spend the night on the plane and I really didn't sleep.
Day Two - Saturday August 7, 2004
We just got off the plane and here we are in Amsterdam. When we got off the plane we went on a train to get to a canal boat So we got on a boat and traveled on down the river. It was very boring. We saw tons of bikes all over Amsterdam. Soon we sat at a table and had some drinks. Then we got on a train to go back on a plane. I slept on the plane the whole way to Greece. Here we are in Greece! I am so EXCITED!
Day Three - Sunday, August 8, 2004
This morning I am going to Olympia. When I got on the bus I sat behind my mom. I didn't sleep on the bus but I tried. About half way there we stopped at a place to get some food. I got a hot ham and cheese sandwich. The we all got back in the bus. The rest of the way there I listened to music. Before you know it, we were there@ We stayed at a place call the Olympic Palace. When we got into the hotel room our TV didn't work so we had to get a new one. Then we went shopping and bought a bag and two shirts. Then we went to the Olympic site. We saw the Temple of Zeus, Temple of Nero, columns, the Olympic stadium, and rock. Then we went out to dinner. We had twelve courses. It was yummy. Next, we went back to the hotel to sleep.
Day Four - Monday, August 9
This morning I got back on the bus and about half way there, we stopped at a place to look at a canal. We decided to go bungee jumping into the canal. I didn't weigh enough. Next everyone who was going jumping got tested. Finally we got to the bungee jumping place. We counted too. Then my mom jumped off the bridge into the canal. The bus driver threatened to leave us but we made it on just in time. I got to yell "Oh-Pa" and break a plate on the floor. I stayed up till 5:00 in the morning!
Day Five - Tuesday, August 10
This morning I woke up and got on a bus to the US Embassy. When we got there, we shopped and had lunch. Soon it was time to go to the meeting. When we sat down, I fell asleep. So, I slept through the whole meeting. When it was over, the person who was talking ave us a pin. Then we got on the bus to go to the Acropolis. It was very hot when we got there. We started to climb the Acropolis. My mom took a lot of pictures. I got hotter with every step I took. When we go to the top I was dying. We got to met the Brazilian women's basketball team and got their autographs. Then we got on the metro to go home and I fell asleep.
Day Six - Wednesday, August 10
We went to the Mediterranean beach and played two wiffle ball games.
Day Seven - Thursday, August 11
Today we went to an island on a ferry. We got to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. We also booked at a motel - Marimar Bay Hotel.
Day Eight - Friday, August 13
This morning Sypro took us to the torch run. It was like a giant parade. I got to hold the torch and get Greek flags. Then we went to the main stadium. I had a USA flag and everyone wanted my picture! Next we went to swim at the Oasis hotel. We met two girls named Francis and Carol and they wanted to go to a war to watch the opening ceremonies. I thought it was awesome. It took us two cab rides and the Metro to get to Spyro's.
Day Nine - Saturday, August 14
Today I went tot he US and Italy softball game. I had a lot of fun and I got on TB. After the game I met the softball team (USA) and Dot Richardson!
Day Ten - Sunday, August 15
Today I went tot he women's cycle race. Then I went to a USA and Australia softball game. I got to talk to the team again.
Day Eleven - Monday, August 16
Today I went to the USA and Japan softball game. They had to have extra innings. We still one. A guy from the Chicago-Tribune took my picture. Then I went to an archery game in a marble stadium. Then I went to a Greek dinner with two of the students. After dinner we saw people on stilts carrying torches.
Day Twelve - Tuesday, August 17
Spyro took us to an island. We swam in the sea. Then we ate spaghetti at a restaurant. Soon I got to sleep in a hotel for 11 hours.
Day Thirteen - Wednesday, August 18
Soon we checked out of the hotel. We went to the beach and I met two Greek kids. We played for hours. We saw lots of Octopus. Then we went home to Spyros and had dinner. Then we went to the Port of Rafina and saw the big ships.
Day Fourteen - Thursday, August 19
We went to a USA vs. Greece softball game. They had a kids carnival. I had my hair wrapped and played and we met up with Cat's (Cat Osterman) aunt and brother.
Day Fifteen - Friday, August 20
We went to a USA vs Taiwan softball game. Then a US vs. Spain basketball game. Then we got on the plane and I slept all the way home.