Today we started early. I did not get any sleep so it’s going to be a long day. The basketball bunch got the bus. The rest had to take taxis to the venue at Chaoyang Park which is on the other side of town. Taxis are cheap here, the 40 minute ride cost us 50 Yuan (about 8 US$).
Security was strict but efficient. English was used to guide you to the process and I was impressed by how courteous everyone was. You got the feeling that they were kind of ashamed that they could not trust you and had to put you through the process. My mind went back to the chaotic and shameful scenes at the Copa America last year. 
A complete disaster. Here everything was neat, organized, with plenty of space and lines to get in. As we walked through the park to get to the stadium, lots of older people were using the facilities for exercising on the many simple but nice walkers, bicycles and back-rubbers that were located on the entrance to the park. 
Many ping-pong tables were also in use by older people and their joy was evident in their uninhibited laughter and shouts. A happy bunch!
A complete disaster. Here everything was neat, organized, with plenty of space and lines to get in. As we walked through the park to get to the stadium, lots of older people were using the facilities for exercising on the many simple but nice walkers, bicycles and back-rubbers that were located on the entrance to the park. 
Many ping-pong tables were also in use by older people and their joy was evident in their uninhibited laughter and shouts. A happy bunch!
The stadium was colorful and clean. I noticed as we walked in, for the second time in public places, street cleaners picking up even the tiniest pieces of paper or debris with long wooden tweezers. No napkins were used at the many tents selling foodstuff and drinks surrounding the stadium and not many trash cans were thus needed. 
You really had to look hard to find one. Another thing that surprised us was the low price of drinks at the sites. A beer, sodas or mineral water only cost 5 Yuan (0,70 US$). We were scheduled to watch five games of the women teams before returning to the hotel. Games took about 40 minutes and new ones started on the hour. 
The whole event was a good time as the crowd was participative and there were bikini clad “beach girls” that provided entertainment every time there was a timeout. There were four teams of beach girls and after the third game a whole new bunch arrived. We started with Chinese looking girls and finished with westerners including blondes, brunettes and even a lively and beautiful black girl. The game mascots (three of the five) were also there and came in to the crowd’s delight between games.
The whole event was a good time as the crowd was participative and there were bikini clad “beach girls” that provided entertainment every time there was a timeout. There were four teams of beach girls and after the third game a whole new bunch arrived. We started with Chinese looking girls and finished with westerners including blondes, brunettes and even a lively and beautiful black girl. The game mascots (three of the five) were also there and came in to the crowd’s delight between games. 
In the first game we watched and cheered the US team beat Norway by a comfortable margin. This was followed by Japan vs. Cuba. 
I noticed the overall feeling of reverie shared by players, officials and crowd. The spirit of the games was evident in the way people were there to compete and share their passion for their chosen sport. 
A very evident passion that transcended borders, political differences and the necessary rivalry between competing teams. Brasil vs. Grece was a very close game, maintaining the audience on the edge of their seats till the very end.
I noticed the overall feeling of reverie shared by players, officials and crowd. The spirit of the games was evident in the way people were there to compete and share their passion for their chosen sport. 
A very evident passion that transcended borders, political differences and the necessary rivalry between competing teams. Brasil vs. Grece was a very close game, maintaining the audience on the edge of their seats till the very end. The morning had been hot, humid and very hazy. Toward the end of the Brasil match, a few rain drops and a welcome breeze lighten up the oppressive atmosphere. 
As two in our group were from Mexico, we stayed to watch their team face a much superior Austria. Before the end of the game, the skies opened and a heavy shower started to fall. Beach Volley ball does not stop because of rain and the people stayed put to cheer on. 
Plastic ponchos were provided for free down below, you only had to show your ticket and people started to gather around the entrances to get them. We got ours and watched the match until the end. The downpour got worse and was now a very he
avy and windy storm. We went below the stadium to wait it out and remained there for over one hour. We finally had to face the fact that we were getting soaked anyway and decided to walk the mile or so that took us to get a taxi back to the hotel.
As two in our group were from Mexico, we stayed to watch their team face a much superior Austria. Before the end of the game, the skies opened and a heavy shower started to fall. Beach Volley ball does not stop because of rain and the people stayed put to cheer on. 
Plastic ponchos were provided for free down below, you only had to show your ticket and people started to gather around the entrances to get them. We got ours and watched the match until the end. The downpour got worse and was now a very he
avy and windy storm. We went below the stadium to wait it out and remained there for over one hour. We finally had to face the fact that we were getting soaked anyway and decided to walk the mile or so that took us to get a taxi back to the hotel.
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