Day 13: London

Day 13: London

Quote of the day:

A year has passed since I wrote my note
But I should have known this right from the start
Only hope can keep me together
Love can mend your life
But love can break your heart

I'll send an SOS to the world
I'll send an SOS to the world

Weather: Perfect, all day long, let’s play two!

Pics: Finally, THB and KHB with the Torch, T&F shots, Train station utility box

Grape Nuts and fruit, RP walk, and off to the morning and evening sessions of T&F. You’ve already seen the better end of our German morning companion, and now for the remaining oddities of the day!

On the tube to OP, a Serb kneels down and talks to THB in a strong Slavic accent about how he had come to England (THB thinks that is what he is talking about) and becoming a free man and 10 minutes later, as we’re entering the OP station, says that he is doing his part for freedom by talking to Croations (THB thinks that is what he is saying). Bizarre, and a strong smell of cigarettes emanates from the guy, is this covering up alcohol.

It is day one of the Decathlon and the two US competitors blow the field away, with Eaton on a record pace. He is making it look very easy. In the morning we see Caster Semenya of South Africa and is she or isn’t she controversy, impossible to tell though she looks very strong. The Women’s Hurdles contestants are setting records for qualifying heats, same in 5000m heats.

And, speaking of heat, we get a new OR: the Olympic Torch is giving us enough heat (and we’re right above it) that the heat waves are obstructing our view of the scoreboard at the opposite end. Another reason to put the damn torch on the rim of the stadium (and give the millions visiting the OP a perfect photo op).

And, the coordination between the announcers and the scoreboard continues to be challenging. Not sure why: is it the two announcers? Is it poor communication set-up?

Between sessions, we have a long stretch, so we seek out a restaurant in the mall, ending up at Las Iguanas (which looks more Las Guanas on the signs for some reason). We order five tapas and none of them taste much like we would get at home, no surprise; with a small beer, $45.

At this point, KHB goes her way and THB goes to take a nap (much needed); see pic of grassy hill, a perfect spot away from the 1000s of OP trompers. We meet up again at our seats, and a confirmation of how few seats Americans have at these games: the same guy that sat next to KHB two nights ago is next to her again. In general, we think that we are in a block of 10-12 seats in our price category. Brits may not have got all the tix they ordered, they clearly have got the vast majority of seats at T&F, upwards of 90% in THB’s anecdotal evaluation.

There’s also no coordination problems between THB and KHB when it comes to food: each of brought in items from the mall for dinner: popcorn, fruit, cookies….all the essentials to go with our bread and cheese.

The evening goes very well for the US, with seven medals and the top two spots in the decathlon after five events. Women are doing very well, and from medal ceremonies we can see that the US distance runners have also done well, with two silvers.

The typical commute back, with seats on both legs, and asleep by around 11:30.