Sunday, August 14, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Day Eight - Making our Way Home!
We haven't seen our homes since August 3rd and yet it feels like the past 10 days have flown by. Sad to leave as we would have loved to watch Brady live on the today show this morning or checked out the local street markets but I am also anxious to get home to my amazing bed and pillow, my favorite little guy Braden and sweet princess Peyton and back to my busy busy life!
As we leave though I am sad at how many people did NOT come to the Olympics this year. The stands at each venue we attended were many times half empty. Mostly because many of the tickets are held back for the locals but it was so very different from London. The media did not help things by concentrating on the negative news here.
Yes Zika lives here in local mosquitos - but we seldom saw a mosquito and though we only used repellent two times (when it was raining) neither of us got a single bite.
Yes the water systems here are smelly but I wasn't here to swim and I avoided the water and ice (I can name a few other places I would do that too!!)
Yes there are security issues - there are thieves wanting to take your money and valuables especially when you make it easy for them to do it - but where do those people NOT live. I had a window air conditioner stolen out of a window of a home that faces the highway in Globe a couple weeks ago and I understand a man was stabbed at the old Safeway. And though some issues have occurred at this event - I never once felt in danger. The most dangerous thing we did was get into a automobile. Thank goodness Marcy and Julie got the ball rolling for drivers. We had two of the most amazing drivers (Diego and Wagner) who got us everywhere safely from morning til night and of course we will never forget our interpreter LUCY!!
We are now waiting for our flight to Sao Paulo and then its on to Panama City for the night.
As we leave though I am sad at how many people did NOT come to the Olympics this year. The stands at each venue we attended were many times half empty. Mostly because many of the tickets are held back for the locals but it was so very different from London. The media did not help things by concentrating on the negative news here.
Yes Zika lives here in local mosquitos - but we seldom saw a mosquito and though we only used repellent two times (when it was raining) neither of us got a single bite.
Yes the water systems here are smelly but I wasn't here to swim and I avoided the water and ice (I can name a few other places I would do that too!!)
Yes there are security issues - there are thieves wanting to take your money and valuables especially when you make it easy for them to do it - but where do those people NOT live. I had a window air conditioner stolen out of a window of a home that faces the highway in Globe a couple weeks ago and I understand a man was stabbed at the old Safeway. And though some issues have occurred at this event - I never once felt in danger. The most dangerous thing we did was get into a automobile. Thank goodness Marcy and Julie got the ball rolling for drivers. We had two of the most amazing drivers (Diego and Wagner) who got us everywhere safely from morning til night and of course we will never forget our interpreter LUCY!!
We are now waiting for our flight to Sao Paulo and then its on to Panama City for the night.
Today Show - Sam Dorman
Click here for the episode of Sam Dorman on the Today Show:
http://www.nbc.com/today/video/today-thursday-aug-11-2016/3082021
Rio Day Seven - Finals!!
We this morning started off with everyone a little nervous. Again Brady was going to be shooting against a teammate. Not only are Jake and Zach teammates but they are silver medalists. All amazing archers. So not only did Brady have to shoot against an amazing archer but this was emotional...this was his friend.
It was a close match but he won and was on to the Quarterfinals in the afternoon. Lunch at the mall and back to the venue where multiple close matches had everyone on the edge of their seats.
His first match was against Japan - he won 6-2. Then it was on to the semi finals. He shot against Ku Bo-Chan of Korea and they decided to make the match really exciting by splitting points the first three sets. 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 it was too much to handle. Then they each one a set and it was time for a tie breaker. Brady shot an 8 and Korea shot a 9. Brady was on to the Bronze Medal match against the Netherlands while Korea went on to the Gold against France.
Brady won the bronze medal. First US Archer in 16 years (since 2000 Sydney Olympics - Vic Wunderle Silver) to win an individual medal. Very emotional moment for Brady and his fans in the stands...and I hear for his fans at home watching.
We stayed at the venue for what seemed like forever making arrangements to get everyone to the USA House as there would be another Order of the Ikkos ceremony now.
When we arrived Alfred and I were starved we went and got in line for dinner when a man approached Alfred and called him by name. We did have Team Brady shirts on so not surprising someone would recognize us but he seemed to actually know Alfred. It was his 7th grade teacher Mr. Dorman!!! Sam would be there for their Order of the Ikkos ceremony that night and Paul and Marla were there to watch. We visited, introduced the two medal winners and took some photos.
Brady had presented his Ikkos medal to his coach and stepfather Mel the night before....tonight he presented it to his mentor, former teammate and long time friend Butch Johnson. We finished our last night in Rio saying goodbye to our new friends and headed back to the hotel to pack.
It was a close match but he won and was on to the Quarterfinals in the afternoon. Lunch at the mall and back to the venue where multiple close matches had everyone on the edge of their seats.
His first match was against Japan - he won 6-2. Then it was on to the semi finals. He shot against Ku Bo-Chan of Korea and they decided to make the match really exciting by splitting points the first three sets. 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 it was too much to handle. Then they each one a set and it was time for a tie breaker. Brady shot an 8 and Korea shot a 9. Brady was on to the Bronze Medal match against the Netherlands while Korea went on to the Gold against France.
Latest Article Catch Up
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Rio Day Six - Free Day
Today we got up early and took the car to Sugar Loaf Mountain. What absolutely amazing views of this city! We could see Botafogo Bay where our hotel and favorite mall is located. We could see Copacabana Beach. So many islands surrounding the coast of this city!! It was pretty windy and a whole lot colder than the past couple days.
We met a family from the US (there were actually hundreds as the Track and Field News tours had buses full of people there today). I don't know how but we ended up with the same group so many times that their tour guide actually believed we were with them and tried to get us on his bus when we went to leave. haha
We found a little monkey and witnessed three local military members ask a USA WWII Vet for a photo.
Then it was off to pick up the Brown's and head to Copacabana to do some shopping. We stopped at the Olympic Megastore and found nothing special. Paid some guys to let us take a photo of their sandcastle. Walked the entire beach in hopes of running in to the street market we saw on the way home the night before...got to the end and realized it was not there. Now this was a HUGE street market maybe a quarter mile long...disappeared. Well I consulted with google and found out it does not open until 6pm. So we called for our car and headed to the USA House a little earlier than planned.
Tonight was the Order of the Ikkos ceremony. The USA Men's Archery Olympic medalists awarded their coaches and medic with medals for their contribution to their Olympic medal. It was a very moving ceremony!
We are all exhausted and must be up early to watch the boys shoot against one another so we headed back to the hotel early. Now we are watching swimming again while blogging...and counting how many times the announcers say the words MICHAEL PHELPS (this would be at least every two minutes even on the channels with no swimming).
We found a little monkey and witnessed three local military members ask a USA WWII Vet for a photo.
We had a little issue getting a hold of our translator and driver but while we waiting we bought some street corn and had a snack.
Rio Day Five - Men's Individual Day Two
This morning was another lazy morning... ate at another new restaurant and took the van to the venue to watch Zach shoot today. He was on fire and won both of his matches. It rained the ENTIRE time and despite our umbrellas we were all cold and wet by the time all matches were over.
Alfred and I and MacKenzie's parents grabbed the car while the others took the van to the USA House. We had dinner and waited for the Hersey sponsored #hellofromhome party to begin.
After a few past and current Olympians spoke (my hero 43 female cyclist and Gold Medal Winner among them) the S'mores bars went up, a life size candy bar ran around dancing, candy was everywhere and then the nights entertainment started.
The Band Perry performed a way too short concert and then it was time to go.
We picked up a couple extra media guys and headed to our hotel. Tomorrow we actually have to get out of bed as we are going to pray for good weather and go do some more touring and shopping.
I will load photos and videos from today tomorrow when the electronics are all charged again. Love and miss you all.
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