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Beijing Diary: Tourism leads to Silk Market and shopping
| Monday, Aug 18 2008 11:31 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Aug 18 2008 11:31 PM
Editor’s note: Taft High graduate Billy Nelson, who competed in the Olympic steeplechase, has agreed to provide a day-to-day diary to The Californian of his experiences in Beijing.
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Taft High graduate Billy Nelson crosses the finish line during the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. Nelson placed second and earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
Day 19: Aug. 18
Today again was a tourist day. Group one of my family leaves tomorrow for the States, so we hit up the Silk Market, as well as the Olympic Merchandise Superstore.
It was a lot of fun. The Silk Market is an indoor flea market-type set-up, with numerous floors of a wide variety of things to buy. Trying to get the merchant down to the lowest price is the game. It was a lot of fun and just an experience in itself.
After the market, we went back to the mall near Shang Yuan hotel to eat lunch, then off to the Bird’s Nest (stadium) and the Merchandise Superstore. We got stuck in traffic and by the time we left the store the walk back prohibited us from watching the races tonight; a major bummer, but hanging with the family was a great time and no matter what I do, hanging with (fiancée) Alisa and (daughter) Bella at the Olympics is worth it. Just seeing them and spending time with them is all I want to do. I have until the end of the games to catch the events.
They leave tomorrow and then I am staying with my dad, (step-mom) Amy, (siblings) Colt, Hailee and Nick at their hotel for some quality visiting and then the Great Wall again on (Wednesday). They haven’t gone yet, and for me, seeing it twice in one trip is going to be amazing. They are staying longer in China.
I am a little upset because Bella and Alisa are leaving, but when I get back to the States I will get to see them for a little while, then five days without them, as I am going to Paris, then back home for the end of the season and moving to Oregon. Then (I’ll be) a stay-at-home dad for a few months of time off.
Tomorrow should be great, as most days have been. Talk to you soon.