Beijing Dispatch: Glenn Stilwell Reports

Glenn Stilwell is a broadcast engineer (and friend) who's working at the water polo venue at the Beijing Olympics. I'm featuring his dispatches. Here's No. 4, received on 8/10/08.

"Opening ceremonies started us off with a bang a few days ago and here at water polo we've gotten into a little groove. We have a long day followed by a not so long day and then repeat.

Those of us in the engineering department are always the first to arrive and almost always the last to leave. And our venue is not the most active. Next door to us is handball where they have split crews working 18 hours per day or more. I never knew team handball was so popular worldwide.

The rain started coming down yesterday afternoon and lasted late into the night. It does make the haze go away and the air not feel so heavy. Our broadcasters are filling in nicely and for the most part we haven't had much trouble. We do get the occasional announcer that turns off his or her own microphone and then tries to turn it back on, only to turn on the wrong switch. Then they start frantically calling our control room and we dutifully go out and push the button labeled "on" for them.
 
A few days ago, I had a chance to visit the LLama Temple when it was open. Beautiful gardens adorn the front breezeway and then you're greeted with a series of temples that all contain Buddhas. In the final building is the world’s largest sitting Buddha.You're not allowed to take pictures and you should bring some incense to burn.

People are praying there and pay homage to Buddha. We saw a very nice western man sitting on a bench talking to a local Chinese woman. He was trying to convert her to Christianity. Now I for one don't care what you believe, but PLEASE don't go into someone else's house and tell them what they should believe. It is very disrespectful to me. Ok back off the soapbox and back to the game....
 
The last match yesterday was men's US vs. China. The Americans won but it didn't really look that easy. They will have their hands full when they meet Montenegro, Serbia, or Hungary. Today's final match is women's U.S. vs. China, so the stands should be full and the place rocking out every time a team scores."