London, Day 3

Day 3: London

Quote of the day:

This is Ground Control
to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule
if you dare

Weather: Sunny, cool, crisp, rain, lightning and thunder, cool, overcast (at least we missed the hailstorm). This is THB’s fifth straight summer games where it has rained, only in the beginning, Los Angeles, was it dry throughout.

Pics: Steel sculpture and main stadium at OP, WP, color scheme on Duchamp pieces, jacket potatoes

Notes of clarification, remembrance:

1. Katie found a 10 pound note on the sidewalk our first afternoon here, and it wasn’t one THB had dropped! THB, having heard from faithful readers, will now feel empowered to try on a t-shirt or two! Or, at least, socks

2. Empty seats: some of you watching on TV may notice there are a lot of empty seats (and remember the fact that half of the Brits orders came back with NO tickets). It happens at every O for various reasons: the tix are ordered way in advance and plans change; corporate sponsors get tons of tix they can’t use or give away; sections are saved for the athletes and officials and they rarely (never) go to events in quantities to fill those seats; people double book because when they order they aren’t sure they will get anything (see note above re Brits and ordering) and then can’t get rid of tix (we had that happen at our first day, a guy was selling gymnastics tix because it overlapped with basketball).

3. For a bit more on the economics of the Os and this one in particular, try an NYT article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/sports/olympics/going-to-the-olympics-the-first-event-is-mall-walking.html?_r=2&pagewanted=2&ref=todayspaper

KHB wakes up THB at 7am from a deep sleep, and finds that the Brazil vs Turkey VB match went the full five sets, probably ending at 12:30am, even later. After THB really wakes up (near 9am), the realization sets in that we would probably have slept on the steps of Earl’s Court if we had stayed til the end.

Another breakfast of grape nuts and fruit, our hosts are meeting our every needs. THB is eternally grateful (oops, he wasn’t really awake during breakfast, though he is pretty sure he also made himself a piece of toast…almost positive).

Today, G is accompanying us to the Olympic Park (OP) and two sessions of Men’s Water Polo for our first visit to the site of the main venues (see NYT article). Rather, as G knows where he is going, we are accompanying him. Down to Raynes Park, on the train (any train) to Waterloo, transfer to the Jubilee Line, standing as there are many O attendees aboard, through lots of stops to the end of the line, Stratford, a short walk through a very upscale shopping mall (see NYT article) and the big test of the day: security is again a breeze! OMG, the Brits must have had the same experience we had in Beijing: long lines in heat and humidity trying to get through to security, barely surviving (mostly, sometimes not) before another long walk or crowded underground shuttle to the Bird’s Nest. This is soooo much better!

Thus, we are early for our 10am session, and walk the grounds, amidst the growing crowds (and this before the big stadium is going with T&F). One big improvement: a hill of grass with a giant TV, a la Wimbledon, for resting up and picnicking.

Water Polo is just across from the main stadium, in a mostly temporary structure (surely the pool cannot be temporary). Seats around 5,000, probably 4-4500 are attending. Spain, Serbia, Italy and Croatia are victorious (both sessions). Spain plays like their national soccer team has been giving them lessons: their goalie is repeatedly throwing longgggg passes starting fast breaks. Very impressive, as is Serbia, current world champs, who thrash Hungary, reigning gold medal champs.

Between sessions, it is raining slightly to medium hard. We scout out lunch, there are quite long queues at some places so we settle on a very British choice (with a short line): pot pies (beef, all that is on hand on day 3 here, they are already out of 7 other choices) and mash for THB and G, baked potato (see pic) and salad for KHB, drinks, $40. Ice cream snacks: $13.

Reverse route back to Wimbledon, around an hour, exceptional given the distances covered and somewhat similar to our commute back from Bird’s Nest in Beijing.

It looks like with a few exceptions (bottlenecks getting to/from connections in underground), the crowds may be manageable…TBD.

Dinner with our hosts and James at a local Japanese restaurant in Raynes Park: $174 including edamame and gyoza appetizers, 5 entries (katsu for the men), beers, a glass of wine and coke.