I'm writing this from my own desk chair, looking at the comfortingly familiar surroundings of my home office. Yes, I'm finally home from the 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong. The journey encompassed a 15-hour departure-flight delay due to Typhoon Nuri -- Hong Kong's worst in nearly a decade, and scoring a direct hit on the city -- a long flight that crossed the international date line, thereby...
The morning's roundup of sights and observations at and around the 2008 Olympic equestrian events: The transport system. Inter-venue shuttle buses are segregated by accreditation type, meaning that thou shalt not share a ride with an athlete or a venue worker. Environmentalists would shed more than one tear at seeing full-size motorcoaches idling empty, doors open and A/C blasting, waiting for passengers...
Here at the 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, it's not love; it's commerce -- or, more accurately, bartering. Pin trading, long a popular Olympic pastime, is alive and well here. People stud their credential-card lanyards with pins, thereby becoming walking bazaars of sorts. Would-be traders eye the merchandise and offer up pins as prospective swaps. You don't need to speak the language...
Are you geared up for the 2008 Olympic equestrian events -- eventing, dressage, and jumping? I am. I'm Jennifer Bryant, certified Olympics junkie and author of Eclipse Press's new book, Olympic Equestrian: A Century of International Horse Sport. I'm currently en route to Hong Kong for my first-ever sojourn as a credentialed Olympic journalist, and I'll be blogging here about the experience. Currently...
