Well, here is a little story for you.

So I was scheduled to leave on the 25th. While at breakfast, my good buddy James Cartwright informs me that some American paddlers had their flight cancelled and thought I was on that same flight. The previous night, I checked my flight and read that is was scheduled for the 25th but I missed the part that said estimated to leave the 26th. It never said cancelled. Thanks Jamie for saving me a trip to the airport.

My flight was rescheduled for 8:30 in the morning and because I had so many bags, I tried to get there 3 hours before but failed to wake up to catch the 5 am bus and also managed to miss the 6 am bus by only a minute. At around 5:50, when I finally walked out of my apartment, I managed to get some help for the 10 minute walk to the buses and we ran with boat, paddles, and two heavy bags which do have wheels. I was scheduled to have help to transport this stuff at 4:30. It did not help that I stayed up until 1 walking around the village with some other teams mates that were still there. We went for a midnight snack and realized there were parts of the village that we had never seen, its a big place, it was our last chance and because everyone was done competing, many others were also doing the same. Well, at 6, the buses start going every 30 minutes from the village to the airport. I was told the buss will leave at 6:30 and I said I have to go now, and so the driver said ok, lets go, and rushed me to the airport, nice guy he was.

So, I arrived at 6:30 to only find a huge line, I waited an hour and a half, I was the last one, I only had about 5 minutes to check in. This mean lady wanted to charge me 470 dollars for my boat and 400 for an overweight bag. I refused to pay and she yelled at me saying, you don't pay, you don't fly. So I said ok. I was scheduled to fly through DC to get to Charlotte, Instead, she transfered me to the next available flight that left at 12 through San Francisco. This turned out to be a blessing I thought at the time. It gave me time to get an extra bag I had and I transfered lots of heavy stuff to that and I would then take it as a carry on.

One reason my bags were over weight was because I purchased two folding bikes in Beijing and each luggage had one bike. One luggage was fine on weight but the other was way over the limit.

I started to check in for the new flight and the person at the counter said that the previous lady came to tell them that if I did not pay what she said, I could not fly, this made me angry but I still stayed calm because this new lady with me was very nice. Because I moved around some weight, she only charged me 50 dollars extra and instead of taking a heavy carry on, she had me check it in for free just to be nice. As for my boat, she said 1 excess baggage fee is 150 but the boat counts as 2. So she charged me 300 and I accepted even though I thought this was still wrong.

The airport was filled with news camera crews and athletes who all had lots of baggage. We talked amongst ourselves, they were trying to charge 400 for excess baggage to everyone but everyone I met refused and we all ended up with better deals in the end, I hope no one paid the 400. I really think this airline was trying to take advantage of everyone flying and not having any other options but to take everything home. I was left with a sour feeling about all this but I will say that the Beijing airport is the most beautiful and amazing airport I have ever been to.

I ended up checking 5 bags, 2 with clothes and bikes, 1 with extra weight, one paddle bag, which they also wanted to charge for but I told them no way I am paying because they are considered skies which are free to travel with, and so they did not charge me, and my boat. I made it happily to my flight were I made friends with a girl who also had problems with her bags because of sporting equipment and a scooter she purchased. We both ended up only paying 50.

I also made friends with two kids who sat next to me on the plane. They are very smart 11 year olds who came with their parents to watch the olympics and who also participate in water polo and flat water kayaking in San Diego and so they new about my sport. We talked a lot about the olympics, I showed them videos of some of the race footage I had and pictures of the village. There was also the silver medal team from water polo and one guy came and took pictures with them with the medal and invited them to a water polo camp for kids they are doing in San Diego at the olympic training center. What a small world, these kids will never forget this plane ride. They thought is was so cool to talk with Olympians but I thought it was cool to talk with them because they have a great attitude about sports and life. They want to compete in the olympics but also realize its hard but the journey is well worth it whether you make it or you don't. I am sure these kids will have a great journey to whatever they end up doing and I wish them the best of luck.

Ok, the story is not over yet. I happily arrive in San Francisco, I recheck my bags, get to the gate for an on time flight. However this is when I realize going to DC would have probably been better, but because I did not arrive on time to the airport in the first place, I did not have this option. So this is what I get for over sleeping. The flight left at 11 am on time but, then it was 1, then 2, then 3, then it was postponed indefinitely. We finally left at 4 pm.

At around 2 pm, I asked them if I could get a flight the next day to Charlotte and I would go and visit my sister in San Fran. But I would need to leave my bags at the airport. Well, they could not keep my bags overnight and all flights to Charlotte were booked for the next two days and the last thing I wanted was to stay another two or three days, all I wanted was to get home.

I was so tired at this point from everything and jet lag. I was starving so I bought an expensive and horrible sandwich and then we all got meal vouchers. So I got a delicious new england clam chowder soup in a bread bowl and bought a margarita. All the people from this flight bought drinks in the same place, I talked with many of them and non of us were really stressed to much because they guy in charge could not have been any nicer and more accommodating. He was very clear on instructions. Those of us were Charlotte was the final destination were told to stay and wait for the plane while they fixed some problem with the ventilation, they said there was a weird smell. The only option was to wait, however those with connecting flights, were told to collect their bags from baggage claim, then go to the terminal were they were being put on different flights as best they could. I was on a US Airways flight and their customer service for this 5 hour delay was so great, I would have waited 10 hours and I will call or write to the airline to tell them about the dude in charge was the man.

Last thing, Around 3:30 I started falling asleep, I told myself don't, well ok, just a quick little nap. I woke up a 4 to my phone ringing because rachel, my girlfriend thought this might happen to me and to the overhead speaker saying final boarding call for charlotte. I was supposed to call rachel before I left to tell her when to pick me up. They were about to close the doors as I entered the plane and I could only laugh as I almost missed a flight sleeping only 10 feet from the door to the plane. The others on the plane also laughed.

The flight was just about empty and I was able to lay down across the seats. I slept for the whole 5 hours and woke up as we were landing in Charlotte at midnight. I got home around 1, I tried to sleep but could not, now it is 5 am on the dot and I am wide awake and the reason I have written this blog which I started at 4:30 am. I will try and go lay down now, but I am still wide awake.

Cheers

Pablo

My Olympic update

Well everyone, sorry for not writing in such a long time. I have been
super busy with tourist stuff that it left me no time to update my
blog. Plus I cannot access my website in China for some reason. This
has been a problem for a few people but not all. And it seems there
is no way to fix this problem.
First I will start by saying thank you to all who have written to me.
It has really helped me to know everyone is behind me. I really
wanted to perform my best for all of you, for Chile, for my family and
for myself and everyone, just everyone. I will explain a little about
my race a little later.

As for the present moment, I have been tired after so much traveling.
I have been in China for about a month now with about two months of
traveling before to world cup races and for some training in China
before the games in June. I am absolutely exhausted. I feel I have
been away for way to long and I cannot wait to get back to the life I
had before the Olympics. I miss my friends, I miss going bowling or
to miniature golf. I miss Cabo Fish Taco. I think I also miss
working. It has been six months since I have worked and well, I am
ready to work again.

I got a little sick these last two days and I think it is because I am
just tired so my defenses are down. I also got sick before from the
water in Beijing, someone gave me a fruit that they had washed with
water and so to not be rude, I ate it. Also, after a bit of drinking,
I was supper thirsty and drank water from the sink before going to
bed. This was absolutely my fault. I am tired of getting sick.
Well, so before the getting sick part and wanting to go home.

The Olympics have been absolutely amazing. Sorry, I like the work
"absolutely" today. At the beginning of the games, I must admit it
felt like another race. I arrived at the airport just like I have
always done with my boat, paddles and my bag. The only thing I
received from Chile before the games was my credential with serves as
my visa to enter China. I walked out from the airport only to hear my
name called by a very cool Chilean Olympic official also named Pablo
who has competed in previous Olympics and now is an official. We
drove about an hour to drop of my boat at the course and then another
hour of driving to the village. It was night at this point and after
the 15 or so hours of flying, I went straight to bed. I will tell
more of the village in a later blog with some pictures also.

Well, the competition. I was supper nervous like I said before, I
wanted to really race well for everyone and myself. So, there were 21
people competing on the first day, to race on the second day, I needed
to finish in the top 15 which leaves not much room for error. My
first run, I paddled cautious so as not to make mistakes which means I
paddled slowly. My time was 88 seconds when most were pulling around
85's. This put me in 17th place I believe. It was fun because the
stadium was well packed for my first run.
For my second run, I got over my fear a little and fixed a few key
mistakes I made my first run and was more relaxed. I pulled an 86 but
a touch put me back to an 88. I finished 16th. I did what I could
and I am happy with this result. I really wanted to be top 10. With
two 86's it would be possible. Competing for a medal is another story
that I hope to maybe try for in four years if I qualify for the games
in London.

It was amazing to just finish with two decent runs which are more than
I could ever ask for. I struggled this year to do decent runs. Now
that I know how it feels, I look forward to doing this on a regular
basis. My performance really gives me the motivation to keep going
but not only has the performance given me motivation.

It seems to me that everyone is absolutely happy here. I find it
great to talk with all the athletes; we are all here for the same
thing, a great competition to say the least. And talking with
everyone, I feel a sense of joy that only happens at the Olympics.
The Chinese have done some incredible things with technology like when
they lit the flame for the opening ceremonies. The Birds Nest and
Water Cube right next to it are the two most amazing buildings I have
ever seen. The village is filled with nice people, everything is
easy. Eating is good, although after eating for a month in the same
dining hall, an amazing one of course with many different choices and
filled with tons of people. I am so ready for some Cabo Fish Taco in
Charlotte.

I love to hear all the different languages, as you walk through the
streets of the village, every five feet, there is a new language and
some of countries I never knew existed. I thought I knew many
countries but I guess you learn something new every day. Well, I
wrote a lot I know, I have much more to say. I will sign off for now
and go eat some more. The dining hall is open 24 hours a day which
translates to; Yes, I have gained a little weight and I am not the
only one.

Cheers
Pablo

Training went well yesterday and things are starting to happen.
Tomorrow, we have a welcoming ceromony at the village to welcome
Chile. The next day we have a presentation of our flag at the Chilean
Embassy in Beijing. The next day after that, we have the opening
ceremonies. And three days after that, I race.

I have been having trounble accessing my website, I think I have found
a solution and I will try and add photos after I take some more today.

Cheers

Pablo

Well, sorry ya'll for not writing sonner, had some technical dificulties. All is well now. So what have I been up to?

After a long flight, about 13 hours flying time, I arrived in Beijing jet laged and relieved to have arrived finaly in China. It took a bit longer than I expected to get through customs. It was a bit confusing with so many people. There was a special lane for Olympic Athletes and officials but a whole bunch of us arrived at the same time and I was at the back of the line.

Got through that and then it took a long time to get my boat and luggage but no worry, I walked out to find Pablo waiting for. Pablo, not me, used to be a competitor and is now an official, this is his 5th olympics. He is a cool guy.

So then we had to go leave my boat at the course before going to the olympic village. This took a while, the Village is about an hour from the course. This had to be done and it was all good, the only bad thing was that I was in desperate need of a shower. A little later I got it once arriving at the Village. I will tell more of the village soon, I will now go eat dinner. So

Cheers

Pablo

Today, I finally received my credentials for the games. These serve as my visa to get into China. So I was a little stressed about not having them given that I leave this coming sunday. So now I am a little excited knowing that all I need to do now is get on the plane. For those here in Charlotte, see you on the water, to all the others, see you later or

Cheers

Pablo