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.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Rio Day Four - Men's Individuals
Today started with a super lazy morning. We slept in, watched some rugby. Walked to the mall and ate our first fast food steak. Watched some swimming. Then it was off to the venue to see the Men's Individual elimination matches.
Jake shot against the home town hero Brazilian Marcos D'Almedia. The stands were packed and super loud!! He beat the Brazilian 6-2 and was on to the 1/32 round. Brady shot his first match against Ali El Ghari from Libya and won 6-0 after shooting eight 10s in a row!! Since both he and Jake won their 1/64 matches they were now shooting against one another next. I brought the umbrella today as we were on the afternoon sunny side and I did NOT want a replay of Saturday.
So disappointed that NBC couldn't televise it live but at least it is online for those who can stream it on their computers and I understand they did play it later (after FUTBOL was over!!) I was apparently caught on TV frantically texting scores to all the fans at home that couldn't see it live haha Brady shot so well and he won the match and is now going to the 1/8 match on Friday. His opponent will be decided by two matches tomorrow (one of them could be his OTHER teammate Zach - how likely is it that all three US boys ended up in the same bracket?)
Just before we left a man came up and asked Brady for his autograph on a drawing he had made of him... nice likeness!
Then we were off to the P&G (Proctor & Gamble) House. This place was really nice but I hear all the sponsor houses are... We of course made our way straight to the food. Tons of great seafood and desserts! Then we took a tour of the special rooms (you can have your laundry done, get a haircut or massage and of course find a place to watch events on the patio in the dining room or in the man cave. The patio was nice but we chose the man cave and their body sized pillows. Met KJ from the women's rugby team and got pulled in to a group photo with everyone in the room.
Just before we left a man came up and asked Brady for his autograph on a drawing he had made of him... nice likeness!
Talked to my great daughter who is holding down the fort at home (taking care of animals, business, and personal stuff for her mom) and then we caught our ride back to the hotel. The ride was pretty uneventful tonight and we are already in bed watching Michael Phelps win a couple more gold medals!!
Tomorrow USA Team member Zach is shooting in the afternoon. Then it is back to the USA House for a night of Smore's (sponsored by Olympic Sponsor Hersey) oh and a little concert by THE BAND PERRY!
Rio Day Three - Women's Individuals
This morning we headed to the Archery venue to watch MacKenzie Brown compete in the Women's Individual. She won her first match against Italy 6 - 4 but lost her second match to a woman from Myanmar 7-3.
Alfred and I had our driver take us to the Mall nearby our hotel where we had lunch (Alfred had the largest calzone I have ever seen), used the ATM, bought a phone case (I have dropped my phone at least 10 times a day since arriving here as I took it out of its wallet and brought just the phone) and then we had a much needed massage. We hoped to find the little street market on our walk back to the hotel but it was closed up when we walked by.
We came back to the room. I will admit I did a little workflow stuff for work (couldn't help it) and Alfred napped then it was off on a very LONG van ride to a kinda long bus ride to the Olympic Park where we had tickets to the Center Court Tennis match between Serena Williams and France. We passed our first Favela - what a place. From what our translator Lucy told us they are self sustaining. They have their own schools, banks, stores etc. Not the "shanty town" or slum that I was expecting.
The Olympic Village is super nice. Obviously recently built and well kept. The staff were helpful and we love they big sports fingers they all had on their hands to point the direction you needed to go when you asked them for directions. haha
I read the book they have here explaining every sport because though I knew the point of the game of tennis but I had no idea how it was scored.. I mean why do you give them 15 points, then 30 and then 40?? Why only 10 extra the 3rd time and what the heck does "Ad" mean??? I left there tonight totally understanding tennis!! Serena did well. Was unhappy to see her throw a fit and slam her racket into her seat and bend it when things were not going well but the French lady was such a little pill. She was so rude to the guy that kept running her a towel and she had to throw a fit too and throw a ball in the air. The crowd was great they were cheering for who ever did well and we met some American's in our nose bleed section too.
Tomorrow is Men's individuals and Brady shoots at 4:31pm Brazil time (12:31 AZ)!!!
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Rio Day Three - Touring
Last night we got into bed early so we didn't set an alarm. We thought we would wake up well before the van arrived for tour day... I did wake up. It was 530am here (130am at home) so I went back to bed. Woke up a second time it was 733am!!! The van was going to arrive at 8am. We rushed to get ready and downstairs and made our shuttle.
Our first stop was Mount Corcovado and Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). The last time I was here I took a bus half way up and walked the rest... I was happy to see we were taking a train to the top after yesterday's health issues.
Our first stop was Mount Corcovado and Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). The last time I was here I took a bus half way up and walked the rest... I was happy to see we were taking a train to the top after yesterday's health issues.
We bought some souvenirs, took a selfie (we are getting better at these) and helped a couple visitors from the US and Equador take photos of themselves with the statue and a German visitor get a photo with the local military on duty there.
The train ride back down was nice as the temperature had cooled down quite a bit and we were able to see the countryside and the homes along the track.
Then it was off to the USA House just off of Copacabana Beach.
We did a little shopping and eating and touring and eating and watched most of the big 30+ big screen TVs playing the Olympic competitions of the day and then we shopped one more time and ate dinner.
We are in our room watching women's gymnastics in Portuguese at the moment and tomorrow we will be watching Women's Individual Archery (Cheering on MacKenzie Brown). Then if the weather cooperates we are hitting the beach!!
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