Four Days in Beijing

During the 2008 Olympics, I had a questionable obsession with my television. From the night of the opening games to the very end, I was hooked.  Misty May and Kerri Walsh played an impressive and unbeatable game of volleyball day after day while Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson went head to head in every gymnastics event; eventually coming out with a gold and silver medal in the all-arounds. Even more, like so many other Americans watching, the captivating events at the water cube sucked me in like a whirlpool.  Needless to say, I was intoxicated with the idea of visiting the Bird's Nest and Water Cube during our visit.

The sun receded behind a cover of smog on our fourth day making the air seem, if possible, even more crisp.  Although only December, a swell of people lined up for their chance to view the two buildings and I was thankful the peek travel season is months away.  The Bird's Nest is an astounding piece of architecture and even from a distance its breathtaking curves and angles appear mathematically impossible.  As its name implies, I fully expected a colossal creature such as a pterodactyl or dragon to swoop down in defense of its mammoth eggs.  Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic as neither pterodactyls nor dragons are considered birds...

From the inside, the Bird's Nest is remarkably similar to other stadiums I've visited and slightly smaller than it appeared on television.  The Olympic signage and giant Christmas tree (with matching Snow White figurines?) were the only indications I was standing in a structure that was anything but ordinary.

An amazing view despite its blurriness.

Koreans love to put up the peace sign in pictures—it's contagious...

Without the spotlights and glisten of the sun, the Water Cube's exterior appeared as tired as its athletes. Upon closer inspection, however, the simplicity of its perimeter perfectly amplified the geometric pattern inspired by the molecular structure of crystal cells.  The interior was no less interesting and the attention to detail impressive.  The building's translucent skin was even more visually dynamic poolside and I was thrilled to see sparkling water instead of two empty pits.  Perhaps I was beginning to feel healthy again, but my level of excitement was at a high I had yet to fully experience on the trip.

  

I couldn't resist adding the music—makes it a bit more authentic.

I believe the white objects beneath the water were lights.  It looked like they were setting up for a performance of some sort.

The ceiling

Heading out to our next adventure

Completed in 2007, the National Center for the Performing Arts is among the latest series of modern marvels in Beijing's collection.  The ellipsoid dome, made of titanium and glass, is surrounded by an artificial lake giving The Egg a shiny, mystical reflection.  Inside, the theater boasts three major performance halls:  the Opera Hall, Music Hall, and Theater Hall; which have a combined seating allowance of over 5,000.  Perhaps the most unique attribute is the nanotechnology film that covers the glass, dissolving dirt and bird droppings.

Notice the reflection—it's probably a pterodactyl's egg missing from The Nest...

Before retiring to our hotel, we headed to the Silk Street Market—an indoor barterer's paradise.  At first, the visual and auditory stimulation was overwhelming and an intention to browse soon morphed into an attempt at survival.  From hundreds of booths on multiple floors, vendors call out their goods and tell the customers what they need.  "Hey LADY, you need a shirt? Come in, come look.  What color you like?  What color?  Come look."

 

Watch Andrea as she walks through the booths.