After three weeks in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, I’ve come to a few conclusions during my stay in amazing Hong Kong. I’ll get to those in a moment.

Typhoon Nuri is now a thing of the past, however, it left more than 18,000 passengers stranded at the airport as of noon Saturday. Many of them will find their ways onto airplanes, but others will not. Cathay Pacific Airways seems to be the hardest hit, with passengers showing up at 5 a.m. to get on flights that had yet to leave as of sundown.

I’m hoping my Sunday midnight flight to Seoul, Korea, and then on to Tokyo, Japan, are all in order. The extra layovers reduced my ticket price, so I booked it to save a few bucks. We’ll see if it is a headache or not. As much as I love Hong Kong (I had no idea I would enjoy the city as much as I have), I really am missing home and my family and friends. It sometimes take a nice long trip like this to realize just how much their craziness, problems and pains are a part of you, and you miss those things. Strange, isn’t it?

Yesterday, I spent most of the day walking around. It was the most beautiful and comfortable day over the last three weeks. There was a great breeze and the humidity (for the first time in three weeks) didn’t kill me the minute I walked out the door. I actually got several blocks from the hotel before I broke a sweat.

I walked, and walked, and walked. For five hours, I walked up-and-down the streets of Hong Kong, taking photos and stopping for the occasional bit of A/C in a nice shop. I even got kicked out of one Chinese store for taking photos. That was kind of fun. Made me feel like paparazzi or something.

I also finally succumbed to the many hawkers for tailor-made clothes, and I went into a shop and had two linen shirts ordered.

“They will be delivered to the hotel tonight, sir,” said the man from Bangladesh.

How can they make them that fast?! I picked out the material, was measured and the gentleman assured me they would be delivered by the end of the evening. They were.

I went to Hollywood Street on Hong Kong Island - the place is like an open-air flea market where you can find antiques, the odd item and things you’d not find in the more Western stores in Kowloon. Despite the urge to spend every last Hong Kong dollar, I withheld and did not purchase things that I couldn’t get home or carry onto the airplane. Leaving Brazil last fall, I looked like a refugee carrying bags and boxes and rolled up hand-painted canvases into the airport in Rio de Janeiro. I will do better this time.

Now to my list.

I thought hard about this, decided to do a list (as I usually do) before leaving my new-found home away from home.

This list will be the “Things I Will Miss About Hong Kong.”

It goes a little something like this...

I will miss walking a hundred paces to find the most amazing authentic Chinese food you can find. At home, it means a card ride, and then you get the American version - which is NOT authentic Chinese food. Even if a nice Chinese couple that emigrated to American prepared it. The ingredients are different. Maybe it’s something in the water, or the wok or the air. It’s just different - trust me on this one. I’ve eaten a LOT of Chinese food here.

I will miss screwing up the jukebox at my new favorite local pub here in Kowloon. I can’t seem to make the darn thing play the songs I want to play. But, some Chinese song always plays that seems to get everyone up on their feet and dancing and clinking mugs and raising glasses. I guess I should not complain, but I really wanted to hear a favorite song in English. Oh well, I guess that is why I have an I-Pod.

I will miss the very nice and welcoming people. How often do you walk into a pub or anywhere and you have someone talking to you and you feel like you have a new buddy within two minutes? Not many places. And I’ve been to plenty of them. I’ve met people here in Hong Kong that I feel like I know better than people I have known in the States for six months! Super friendly and sincere. This has left a big impression on me - but, then again, I’ve spent lots of time among the “common Hong Kong” citizens. I’ve made it a point to go to places and talk to people who are not English or Western, and it has paid off in a wonderful cultural experience I will never, ever forget. Actually, most places I have frequented have been “homeland” spots - 95% Hong Kong or Chinese and it has been a blast. I’m so glad I chose this path. It has taught me so much about this country and people. And, thankfully, they speak much better English than I speak Putonghua (a local dialect) or Cantonese.

I will miss the ever-popular red taxi. They are everywhere - just like the yellow cabs in New York City. But, the great thing is that here in Hong Kong the taxi rides are very inexpensive. The same ride that would cost you $20 in the U.S. will cost you less than half that amount here. Incredible.

Perhaps most of all I will miss the Olympic experience. It only happens every four years, and it is the one event in the world (with maybe the exception of soccer’s World Cup) that brings together almost every country on the planet. It’s really a fascinating and memorable adventure. Sure, there are crazy schedules and deadlines and never enough time to see or speak to everyone you want to, but there is nothing else like it. I’m so lucky to get to attend these events. I can guarantee you the experience is not lost on me.

I’ll also miss the chance to bump into these world-class athletes, share a taxi ride, hang out with them for a bit and just chat about things - equestrian and otherwise. It’s great to see them out of their sporting environment and attire.

Things I Will Not Miss...

The chips bags. To get into a bag of chips in Hong Kong, you must have a left-handed monkey wrench. Or a blow torch. Or a diamond-tipped drill. Seriously. They are CHIPS…they are not the Crown Jewels. Give us a break. I have almost chipped my teeth on a sealed bag of chips purchased from the 7-11 (and there is one on every street corner here). I guess the Chinese and Hong Kong folks take freshness o f their chips to a new level!

I will not miss the Indian folks who hawk tailor-made clothing and “genuine” duplicate watches - such as Rolex, etc. - on the streets. They will follow you for blocks if you don’t shut them down quick. If I hear the words, “Hello, big boss!” one more time, I might lose it.

I will not miss the humidity. I do not care what anyone else has to say about it not being hot and humid here. You can walk down the streets at 4 a.m. in the morning and still be drenched in sweat in one block. I’ll probably go home to a heat wave - my luck.

In closing...

Thanks to all the blog readers out there. The response has been great - and from all over the place. I hope I get the chance to do another one from some neat and exciting place sometime soon.

I hope you have enjoyed my insights and stories and tales from Asia. Blogging them has helped me solidify these memories - memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’d like to, e-mail me at bsosby@usef.org, and let me know your thoughts - or just to say “Hello!” I’d love to hear from you.

For the last time...from Hong Kong, China, and the 2008 Olympic Games - that’s all folks!

The equestrian portion of the Olympic Games are now over - well, maybe. Seems there is the topic of doping control, which will takes days to complete and all the finals results be known. But, for as much as the daily trips to Sha Tin and the equestrian venue, my work is done.

A flight with horses supposed to leave this morning was postponed last night due to Typhoon Nuri which is centered about 45 miles off the cost of Hong Kong Island as I type. Supposedly, it is going to leave about 24 hours later as a precautionary measure. Good thinking.

The airport is probably a zoo right now. I’ve not been there, but whenever there is a Signal 8 raised, it tends to make things there a little hectic. I heard journalists last night at the media center long after midnight say that their flights were already seriously delayed - by as much as 24 hours. I’m just hoping my midnight Sunday flight is a go. I love Hong Kong, but I do miss the beautiful rolling hills and laidback vibe that is my hometown in Kentucky.

Last night was a lot of fun. I took the bus from the venue to Sha Tin metro station. Sitting behind me on the bus, talking on the telephone, was someone who looked very familiar. I turned around to find Brazilian show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa wearing his green and yellow team shirt and shorts. Cool.

A new buddy, another fun taxi ride.

The bus arrived and instead of taking the subway to the hotel, I decided to treat myself to a $15 taxi ride to the hotel. After all, the competition was over and I wanted to get back to my room, change and maybe go out and walk around a bit, maybe find a friendly “Cheers” type bar to venture into and mix with the locals.

Walking to the taxi at the metro stop, I noticed there was only one waiting for a passenger. Ten paces behind me was Rodrigo and a lovely blonde girl with him and I overheard them say, “Oh no, no more taxis.” Before my taxi pulled off, I stopped the driver and rolled down the window. “Are you guys heading downtown to Kowloon?” I asked.

Rodrigo said, “Yes, we are, may we share your taxi?

“Of course, Rodrigo, jump in,” I replied.

After brief introductions, we began a great conversation about the night and jumping competition.. I asked him about his plan of attack, and he was very forthcoming about his thoughts on the courses, the competition and the final results. He also asked me about what I did and all about the 2010 WEG that is coming to the Kentucky Horse Park. The conversation then led to Kentucky and our international reputation for fine bourbon and race horses.

It was a great 20 minute taxi ride and I feel like I made a new buddy. He was super interested in our conversation and it was a really fun way to end my last venture from the competition venue - with one of the world’s most celebrated show jumpers.

Rodrigo and his friend were staying directly across the street from me, so our taxi driver dropped us off right between the two hotels. Then came the scramble to see who would pay for the fare.

“Rodrigo, let me,” I said. “It’s been so much fun chatting with you.”

“No, I pay, I insist, Brian,” he replied. So, I let him pay, but insisted that drinks were on me.

It was a fun night and for a die-hard show jumping fan, it was a great memory - yet another one of the dozens and dozens that I’ve formed while here in Hong Kong.

Another memory is being awaken this morning - rather early - by the hotel staff. They came into my room and put masking tape on the large glass window that overlooks Victoria Harbour. I didn’t quite know what to think about that.

Not the best wake-up call.

“Signal #8 now, but soon to be raised,” the very nice and very short lady said. She turned over my metal wastepaper basket to stand on it to adhere the masking tape.

“You must keep window curtains closed today in case of injury,” she said as she left.

HUH?! I just heard on the TV that the Signal #9 was just raised. It is the first time since 2000 that a Signal #9 has been issued in the territory. So far, 190 flights have been completely cancelled at Hong Kong Airport. I'm glad I'm not waiting there!

Flying debris? Let’s hope not.

E-mails, catching up on some writing and going through piles of paperwork from the media center are on my agenda today. Plus, if the shops are open later, I want to go to the Gentleman’s Market and see if I can pick up a few inexpensive (but nice) gifts for a few friends back home. I was thinking of taking the train into Mainland China today, but with ol’ Nuri messing things up, that might have to wait for another day.

We’ll see.

After checking in with the folks in the team office downstairs, I decided that it might be a good idea to go through the underground maze that is downtown Kowloon and make my way across the street to the New World Centre - a huge shopping complex many stories underground, right next to the harbor. With a typhoon on its way, I wanted to stock up on some things, just in case it really arrives. Some have their doubts. I noticed they were already taking down the equestrian figures that had been a part of the large display above the storefront. Kind of a bummer.

After trying two ATMs that did not want to give me Hong Kong dollars, I finally found one that would work. Thank goodness. I was down to my last $35HK and that won’t get you too far around these parts.

I headed straight for one of Hong Kong’s popular supermarkets (inside the underground mall) called Needs. And the name is very fitting, because it holds almost anything you could possibly need. As I walked into the store, there was sign obviously displayed on a large easel - Signal 3. It’s on the way - Typhoon Nuri.

Walking up and down the countless aisles of Needs, I found so many things. I was like a kid in a candy shop. Things for the home like a butter tray that dissects your stick of butter in perfectly proportioned bits - perfect for spreading. I think the Chinese like order in every sense of the word - even in butter. I had to purchase it, there was only one left. Obviously, a popular item for the well-kept Chinese home.

The liquor section sent me into a panic. I wanted to buy some bottles to bring home to friends, but if I get typhooned-in tomorrow, I might break down and pop open these bottles in place of raiding my well-stocked mini-bar. I’ve tried my best to be good - and I’ve done pretty good so far.

After learning about the upcoming Moon Festival, I remembered that I wanted to buy Moon Cakes - a super popular thing here in Hong Kong (and China). There are billboards and ads for them in every subway, and I knew it would be bad to leave here without some of them. A box of four standard size Moon Cakes costs about 250$HK - or about $35US. Not cheap - but it’s a holiday thing here, so I guess they get you on having to have them. I bought a tin of them for a gift for someone special at home (who has a very big sweet tooth and will love trying these exotic pastries). I also bought some pineapple cakes, bottles of water, juice, chips and a few other little nibbly-bits to tide me over for a day or so.

As I was standing in the beverage department, I noticed that the cost of a Heineken beer was $8HK (about a little more than a 1$US), while a Budweiser (ugh) was $14HK (or $2US). That made me laugh. After all, I guess it costs more to import an American beer to China than a Dutch one.

I stopped in the Vienna Café before coming home and treated myself to a coconut iced coffee, which was incredible. I’ve been off the coffee for some time (tea is the main drink here) and the caffeine has my blood pumping for sure. Hence this quick entry into the old blog.

I sat next to a couple from Germany that was here to support one of their country’s teammates. They mentioned the possibility of rain for tonight, but we all agreed that we would all think good thoughts and stave off the clouds.

Well, it’s almost time to get ready, pack up the laptop and head off on the train to the media center to take in the final night of show jumping and wrap-up the equestrian portion of these Olympic Games.

No rain yet, but the large armbands of Typhoon Nuri looks like they are coming this way. The sky over Hong Kong Island is getting rather gray and cloudy, which means raindrops are on their way. I’m hoping the jumpers get over the course before the sky breaks loose.

But, maybe this typhoon thing will hold off completely and swing in a different direction altogether. I’m keeping hope alive.

Go Team USA!

Well, the Olympic Games here in Hong Kong experienced a typhoon named Kummari the opening week, and it looks like we are going to go out with a bang as the equestrian events close in Hong Kong with another typhoon - this one is named Nuri.

Typhoons are no laughing matter here in this part of Asia. This particular typhoon swept over the Philippines and left people dead. And, it’s headed right for Hong Kong - on a beeline.

The Hong Kong Observatory - the source for the latest weather news in Hong Kong - raised the Signal 1 yesterday. They have said they are raising the Signal 3 this afternoon. After that, that leaves only 8, 9 and 10. You really don’t want to be outside involved in any of them.

The cleaning staff just came by my room and the very nice lady said to expect a Signal 8 sometime tonight. Possibly more. This look like a strong one coming our way.

I’m hoping we can get through the final night of show jumping tonight. I would hate to see the horses out there in the middle of a rainstorm, fighting for a medal. Perhaps, if the strong winds and rains get here early enough, they will postpone until tomorrow the final leg of Olympic competition? Who knows yet. We will wait and see.

I tried to change my flight to come home a few days early since things have gone so great here. Looking at the weather five or six days ago, there was no cause for thinking another typhoon would roll over Hong Kong and the venue. But, weather is a forecast - not a perfect picture of what is to come. Sometimes, you have to just wait and see how storms and weather patterns develop. Looks like this one is turning out to be an unwelcome one at that.

When the Signal 8 is raised, things shut down. Transportation. Schools. Businesses. Events. It sort of grinds to a halt. A Signal 9 and 10, well, it means batten-down the hatches and hold on.

Since the airports shut down too (people were delayed a long time when the last typhoon rolled through), changing my ticket would have turned out to be a futile effort. Looks like we’re in for some interesting weather for the next day or two.

More to come as it develops. Cross your fingers for a successful and exciting (not weather wise!) night of show jumping where several Americans are poised to end up on the medal podium.

It would be a great way to end Team USA’s Olympic effort - more medals.

Let’s hope Mother Nature is a big fan of Team USA!

Tuesday night was the final night of dressage. The American hopeful for a medal was none other than Steffen Peters and Ravel. But, as it turned out, they landed in fourth place, just one place off the medal podium. I have to admit, I was bummed.

I wasn’t bummed with Steffen and Ravel’s performance. That made me smile the whole way through.

First of all his music for the Kur was great - who can’t help but smile when you see Steffen lead Ravel around the dressage ring to the Rolling Stone’s “Sympathy for the Devil”? It was awesome!

I especially thought that the opening line to that classic song - “Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a man of wealth and taste” was classic!

Of course, the rest of the song’s lyrics tell a different story altogether. But, Ravel looked like a handsome devil, in deed, during his Kur.

From the Stones, it went into an oldie from the 80s one-hit wonder band - Men Without Hats - and their smash hit “The Safety Dance.”

I couldn’t help but tap my foot to the techno beat and watch with a huge grin as Steffen and Ravel entertained the crowd at Sha Tin.

But, a medal just wasn’t meant to be…and if you ask me…it was unjust.

Dressage can be a very frustrating sport when it comes to scoring. The international panel of judges have their own perspective. And, in the end, you have to deal with what their eyes see and what they have to say about a person’s performance. It’s not like show jumping where you either keep the rails up and make the time or not. With dressage, it’s tricky business. And I was sorely disappointed with what happened to Steffen and Ravel. I really think they deserved the Bronze medal.

I rarely speak out and say I think a judge needs a new pair of glasses - or better yet a new attitude. Or that they should not be a judge. Or that they were unfair.

But, I’m having to bite my tongue right now. And I’m not the only one, I’m sure of that. Questions of the judges during the following press conference were pointed and, at times, blunt. And the press core (many of us) were none to happy with the strange responses one judge, in particular, left with us.

I think this kind of mystical scoring hurts dressage and really frustrates spectators and fans alike. There needs to be some kind of system in place (such as was instituted in figure skating) that better defines accurate judging. Throw out the high and low score and deal with the remains. It would be much more accurate in my mind.

However, Steffen Peters showed a level of dignity and class - as he always does. He is a true attribute to the U.S. team and a class act. There’s no arguing that point.

He represented his country with style and great dignity. No complaints. Just hard work and lots of heart.

It’s been something that I’ve seen in many of the events that have happened at these Olympics Games. I’ve watched other athletes whose Olympic medal dreams slipped from their fingers go over and congratulate the ultimate winner. That’s what these Games are about. And, in the majority, its been in abundance.

I guess the test of someone’s character really shows in moments like this - when they don’t get what they want, but they are graceful in defeat. It’s an important lesson that we’ve all been reminded of.

Thanks, Steffen, for a job VERY well done!

Last night I had the most memorable taxi ride of my life.

Show jumping was thrilling, and the U.S. team rose to the occasion and made the country super proud by charging across the tricky and technical courses to seal the deal on bringing home a Gold medal. It was brilliant.

I was on a high, and after the press conference, I headed out the door to the bus to get to the metro. For some reason I still can’t figure out, the buses were moving slower than molasses. I finally got to the metro, and it was already much later than I hoped it would be. So, with a bit of cash in my pocket, I decided to treat myself to a cool taxi ride home instead of dealing with the metro.

Here is where the fun began.

Instead of walking up the long, sloped sidewalk to the Sha Tin metro entrance, I crossed the path of the many buses lined up and jumped in the first taxi I saw. Immediately, I noticed the gentleman turned down his music that was playing.

“Nathan Road and Mody Road - downtown Kowloon, thank you,” I said to him.

“Yes,” he replied, nodding his head, knowing exactly where I wanted to go.

I noticed he hadn’t turned his music back on, and since I was in a great mood and my I-Pod battery was dry at the press center, I told him to turn the music back on, if he wanted to.

“You like music?” he asked me, turning the radio back on - it was on 100.2 FM, I noticed. I wasn’t sure what kind of channel this was. I really didn’t care as long as it wasn’t opera - which tends to give me a headache. I was hoping for something upbeat.

What I got was a whole lot more. This station turned out to be some sort of “oldies” channel - a weird mix of 40s, 50s and 60s.

“Please release me, let me go!” sang the crooner on the radio, loudly at that. My new friend-in-music didn’t hesitate when I said turn the music on. Since I had told him I liked music, he must have thought I meant loud, as well (which I do).

After a second, I realized this was the one and only 60s smooth operator - Engelbert Humperdinck. I couldn’t help but start laughing. That would be the first of many to follow on my 20 minute ride through the lights and tunnels of Hong Kong.

I couldn’t help but hum along with the old tune, knowing it from wherever it found its way into my musical vocabulary. And, as if my humming was a cue, my taxi driver burst out into song!

“…For I don’t love you…anymore!” he sang, in a thick Cantonese accent, not quite getting the pronunciation correct, but knowing each word by heart!

I was floored. I sat there for a second, thinking I was on Hong Kong’s version of “Candid Camera,” another blast from the past.

And it kept on coming. I continued to hum (not knowing the complete lyrics) and he continued to sing, full-throttle, until the very last word of the song.

I burst into immediate applause when he finished. He looked in his rearview mirror and said, “I thank you very much, sir!” This guy was one-of-a-kind. I had yet to meet anyone like him in Hong Kong over the last two weeks. I doubt I’ll ever meet anyone like him again.

I laughed so hard I thought I would cry. This was turning out to be the best taxi ride of my life. Who would have thought I would get into the taxi of the King of Hong Kong karaoke?!

A commercial came on - in Cantonese - after the song. I couldn’t help but wonder if he would be moved into singing when the music returned.

He had.

From the first notes, I knew the song. It was one of the world’s most famous holiday songs, and I was stunned that I was hearing it, in the back of a Hong Kong taxi, in the middle summer.

“White Christmas” by Bing Crosby.

This song holds a special place in my heart. And I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard this song, surrounded by my family at Christmastime. If the earlier song hadn’t been such a laugh riot, I probably would have teared up and cried. While this trip has been that of a lifetime, there is nothing like missing your family, especially when there are hard times at home. This was also a favorite song of my Dad, who I miss very much, since his passing.

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,” began the song. “Just like the ones I used to know.”

A lump formed in my throat. My taxi driver sang the song with heart and soul. I don’t even know if he celebrates Christmas, but you would have had no doubts if you have been beside me in the back seat. I was suddenly in a totally different mind frame and world.

I knew this song, and I didn’t let one note or word go unsung.

Another commercial followed that Yuletide great. A good thing, too. I needed a moment to refocus, compose and remember where I was. Right…headed back to the hotel for a cool shower and place to prop up my feet.

After the commercial played out, it was back to more music. And the twists and turns this radio station made were as sharp and out-of-left-field as the ones my driver was making through the maze that is Hong Kong.

The next song began….

“What’s new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa!”

I thought I would fall into the floor of the backseat of the taxi.

The Karaoke King knew every single word of this song, too. And, I must admit, I knew a line or two myself.

I couldn’t help it or hold back. I joined in song, once more, bringing me back from my solemn and emotion-filled prior number.

“Pussycat, Pussycat, I've got flowers, and lots of hours to spend with you!” we both sang, he much better than me. I laughed so hard I could barely form words. He was having the time of his life…and so was I. He must have thought I was a record producer, and he was auditioning for “American Idol.”

He gave it his all. Line after line, chorus, refrain. It was a taxi ride that went on for about 20 minutes, but I would not have cared it he had driven around for an hour. I was having a blast. It was like something out of a screwball movie about going to Asia.

It was brilliant. I will never, ever forget it.

We arrived at my hotel, and I paid him the fare. And, of course, I gave him a generous tip. I told him that was the very best taxi ride I had ever had, and I hoped he had a very good night.

“Thank you very much, sir. You practice and sing better,” he laughed.

I smiled back at him and shook my head, knowing my vocal limitations.

Walking into the hotel, through the lobby and up to the room, I couldn’t get the songs out of my head. I had to go immediately to my desk and grab a piece of paper and write down the songs before I forgot them. I knew I had to share this story.

I guess it’s appropriate that tonight’s event is the musical freestyle in the Olympics final and deciding night of which horse-and-rider combination will take home the Individual medals in dressage.

And if any one of the athletes uses a song I sang last night, I know it will be an omen.

Today, I was treated to a wonderful treat - dim sum.

Dim sum is a Chinese way of eating. You can select from many different types of small bites and dishes and mix-and-match exactly what you want to eat. It’s a lot of fun, and if you live near a Chinese restaurant that serves dim sum, and you haven’t been, it is a lot of fun and you’ll be hooked on it.

Two gorgeous journalists (and friends of mine) - Jenn Wood and Jenn Ross - called me on their way from one of the many downtown tailors in Tsim Sha Tsui. They had their final fittings for some very nice items they had designed for them. They were hungry. And Hong Kong is a great place in which to find yourself hungry. The options are endless.

“Hey, I have an idea,” I said. “How about we do dim sum!”

“Hmm…that could be fun,” said Jenn #1.

“OK, sounds good,” said Jenn #2.

A quick trip down to the concierge in my hotel, and we had explicit directions to one of Hong Kong’s most famous dim sum spots - the Jade Garden - located on the fourth floor of a tall building with a great view of Victoria Harbour. Perfect.

We entered the afternoon heat of downtown Kowloon and walked the three or four blocks to our destination. We passed Harry Winston, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Gucci and several other shops that are so far beyond my back account that I had to laugh.

A block away and the storefronts changed a bit. We began running into McDonalds and Starbucks and Haagen Dazs.

Entering the restaurant’s building, we were greeted by a wonderfully refreshing blast of arctic air.

“God bless the person who invented air-conditioning,” I thought to myself. Today’s heat index was 105F.

Soon we were entering the dim sum restaurant, and we could not wait to see what array of delights were on the menu. We were greeted, seated and began to pour over not one, but five different menus. Some were in only Cantonese, some had photos to help us out, others had both Cantonese and English without photos. There was a pencil in a vase in the middle of the table, and the idea is that you take one of the paper menus and mark off the various selections you want to have.

I wasted no time in looking over the menus and ticking off the delicious morsels I would have for my late lunch. The only drawback for me is my shellfish allergy, so I had to triple-check everything I asked for because the last thing I wanted was a fast dash back to the hotel room to stab myself in the leg with an EpiPin, which will keep my head from blowing up like a balloon.

It wasn’t long until our rounds of dim sum arrived. One after the other. They were incredible. Each one presented at the table in individual bamboo steamers.

“This is like tapas,” said Jenn #1.

“Yup, I bet they got the idea from the Chinese,” I replied, stuffing my face with Char Siao Bao (delicious steamed buns filled with an amazing sweet and salty barbequed pork).

Then, I moved on to yet another taste sensation - one after the other.

Jenn #2 ordered an interesting dim sum that was almost sushi-looking. Rice on two sides with some amazing looking sauce-laden meat in the middle, wrapped in a large lotus leaf and steamed.

“Do I eat the leaf?” she asked.

Acting like I knew what I was saying, I said, “Sure, it’s just like grape leaves in Greek food. Tear into it.” And she did.

She soon learned that you do NOT eat the leaf, rather you unfold it to reveal the dim sum inside. We all got a great laugh out of it, watching her struggle to tear into the leaf, which was not about to happen.

After stuffing our faces, I asked if anyone had a sweet tooth and wanted some dessert. There was a beautiful mango flan-type thing on the menu that tempted me.

“How about we do Haagen Dazs,” said Jenn #1.

It was a unanimous decision. Ice cream it would be.

Jenn #1 was kind enough to pick up the check and she looked around the large restaurant to get the attention of our waitress. She caught the eye of a woman walking by and gave here the “Check, please” look.

But, the woman did not stop. She kept walking by, ignoring Jenn #1.

Turns out the woman was dining there herself, and Jenn #1 just tried to get her to give us our bill.

“That’s not the waitress!” I burst out laughing. Jenn #2 almost choked on the last bite of one of her own dim sum.

We laughed so hard at this perfect gaffe that we were at tears. “Stop it!” said Jenn #1, tears getting ready to pour from here eyes, her head hung down trying to hide herself.

I laughed and laughed. It was a perfect end to our authentic Chinese dining experience. Probably the best meal I’ve had in Hong Kong, as well as absolutely perfect and charming company.

We eventually found our waitress, paid and went on our ice cream hunt. A scoop of my favorite - ducle de leche - hit the spot after I opted out of getting the green tea ice cream. After one taste-test spoon, I knew it was not the choice for me, despite it’s vibrant green color.

With our hunger satiated, we made the trek back to the hotel, passing the same high-end shops that taunted us on the way to the restaurant.

“I’m going in Tiffany tomorrow,” I thought to myself. “And, I want to go into Louis Vuitton, too. I need to check out their stitching and leather quality so I can compare it to the knock-offs down the street.” I’m very curious to see just how good these faux-options really are compared to the real thing. I probably won’t buy anything for myself, but I’m super curious.

Soon, it was time to pack up the laptop, grab my media credentials that have worn a place on the back of my sweaty neck from having them around my neck so much, and make my way on the metro to the venue.

It was a great day before coming to the venue to watch some great show jumping.

With the U.S. team tied with Switzerland for a Team Gold, it’s going to be a nail-biter for sure. And a long night to boot.

And I can’t wait!

There is much talk about who will end up on top of the medal pile when these Games end in about a week. It is a matter of much national pride to any country that comes to an Olympic Games. But some perspective is a very good thing.

The Chinese look at it in terms of what country has the most Gold medals. While the U.S. tends to look at it from a total medals point of view. Currently, China leads with the number of Golds, but the U.S. leads with the total number of overall medals. If this remains constant throughout week two of the Games, then both countries will be able to claim victory once the dust settles.

There are more than 200 countries that sent delegations to the Beijing Olympics this year. I believe it is 204 to be precise. Only the United Nations and an Olympic Games can bring together so many different cultures and peoples. It’s an amazing thing, and one of my favorite things is interacting and meeting people from all over the world - and every walk of life imaginable.

When I think about who will end up on top the medal pile, of course, I want it to be the United States of America. I think I would lose my passport and be labeled an “ex-pat” if I felt otherwise. But, I can’t help root for the underdog in some cases.

There are countries that have been sending teams to the Olympics for decades and have yet to see one single medal - Bronze, Silver or Gold. Talk about spirit and hope. Some countries send a team of athletes that you can count on one hand. While others, like the U.S., China, Germany, Australia, etc., send hundreds of athletes. It seems that there is a mathematical imbalance here when the odds are considered for these small teams. But, that’s the Olympics.

I watched Michael Phelps break the Olympic record in swimming and was very impressed. But, I have to say, I am just as impressed with the swimmer or track athlete or competitor from some small, little-known country, that has a one-in-a-million shot of winning a medal. But, they are here. And they are competing.

Some countries have never won an Olympic medal - there are dozens actually. While a list I recently found online shows countries that have won a single medal. I can only imagine the excitement and jubilation that goes on in their country when this momentous occasion occurs. It might the biggest news to hit their country in ages, and I’m sure that athlete becomes a national treasure with the face plastered on posters and postage stamps and their own version of the Wheaties cereal box.

There is a long list of countries that have only won one medal (I say “only” in no disrespect). Countries winning one medal in their Olympic history include Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Iraq, Guyana, Djibouti, Bermuda and Barbados. Each of them has taken home a Bronze medal in various disciplines.

The Ivory Coast, Netherlands Antilles, Paraguay, Senegal, Singapore, Tonga, Vietnam and the Virgin Islands have each been awarded a beautiful Silver medal for their efforts.

Countries winning a single Gold medal include Burundi, Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates.

Not all of those countries are tiny, either. Which made me think about the larger countries that have been surprising in the lower number of medals they have received.

The Philippines, with a population of 91 million inhabitants has won a total of nine medals in their Olympic history - two Silver and seven Bronze.

India, with one of the world’s largest populations - 1.1 billion - has taken home a total of 17 medals - eight Gold, four Silver and five Bronze.

And on the other hand, there are much smaller countries that have - per capita - really shone at the Games and taken a disproportionate number to their delight.

Sweden - with a population of nine million - has taken an incredible 469 medals. Hungary - with a population of under 10 million - has taken 450. Australia’s 20 million citizens can be attributed to 397. Finland’s five million citizens have earned 292. Bulgaria’s seven million countrymen and women has brought home 207.

I’m sure there is a mathematical formula to plug in the number of citizens and medals and calculate the most industrious country in terms of medals haul. I’m not going to do it. I hate math and accounting of any form. But, in this instance, I really found these particular numbers very intriguing. So, I went online and found a source that had done the work for me. It isn’t completely up-to-date (as of just before the Athens 2004 Games), but it gives an interesting snapshot of who possibly remains in the lead as the most successful Olympic Games countries per capita.

1st - tie between Liechtenstein and the former East Germany 3rd - Norway 4th - Finland 5th - Hungary 6th - Sweden 7th - Bulgaria 8th - Switzerland 9th - Estonia 10th - Bahamas

The United States has brought home somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,400-plus medals in its history. As much as I want to complain that we are not doing so hot in equestrian events thus far, I need to shut my mouth and remember that all things are relative. We may not have won a team eventing Gold (or medal) this year, but we have won plenty of eventing medals before…and we will again.

That’s the true Olympic spirit.

Besides, there’s still chance for equestrian to add to Gina Miles’ amazing Individual Silver in eventing. With our show jumpers sailing around the ring in Hong Kong, and our two remaining dressage riders ready for the Kur, there’s plenty of work to be done in these last days.

I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

Tonight, riding on the bus to the venue, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the rising full moon that loomed over the long stretch of 40-story apartment buildings that go on forever along the river running through this part of the city. It was hypnotic.

Whenever there is a full moon at home, I always seem to hear the oddest stories. “Did you hear that so-and-so….blah, blah, blah.” The full moon seems to bring out the strangest (or most extreme) behavior in people. Maybe the same will happen here in Hong Kong, but in a good way.

I was curious if the full moon had any special meaning or lore to the Chinese people. Y research led me to a ton of information, tales and stories.

I came to find out that there is quite a connection between the Chinese and the moon. It goes back thousands of years, in fact.

Each year, the Chinese celebrate a long-standing tradition - the Moon Festival. It takes place on the 15th night of the eighth lunar month (falling between the September and October). So, it’s right around the corner - the next full moon that occurs.

Unfortunately, I won’t be here to celebrate it. But, I was intrigued to learn more about it.

The event is also known as the Autumn Festival, and it is just as popular here as the more Western traditions of Thanksgiving and Christmas are back home. And just as these Western holidays have many stories and histories behind them, so does the Moon Festival.

According to Ancient Chinese legend, Chang Er, a Chinese goddess flew to the moon and lives there - actually she was banished to the moon for her deeds.

As the story goes, she and her husband, Houyi, were immortals who lived in heaven. Through a series of unfortunate happenings (which included them sacrificing nine of their 10 sons), the Jade Emperor punished the couple by sending them to Earth, making them mortals.

Chang Er was very upset at her fate to become a mortal, and off went her husband to find a solution (a kind of pill or medicine that would revive their immortality). He found this pill when he meet the Queen Mother of the West. The Queen Mother told Houyi that only one-half the pill would do the trick to bring back immortality. Not one bit more.

Excited, he returned home to his wife, and he put the magical pill in a case.

Do you see any foreshadowing here? Think the Greek’s version of “Pandora’s Box.”

As you guessed it, Chang Er was warned not to open the box. But she did, finding the magical pill. She consumed the pill in a panic, and then began floating up into the sky. Eventually, she landed on the moon. That is where she lives to this day.

One might consider Chang Er to be the Chinese equivalent of the West’s “Man in the Moon.”

Very interesting.

Today, the Moon Festival is a cause for celebrations, and particularly family reunions. It’s a chance to get together, watch the full moon, stay up late and gorge yourself on moon cakes and sing songs. And for those who are separated during the event, that is no cause not to take part. It’s common for couples who are not together to take time out and schedule a time when they can both be looking at the moon. It’s a way for them to be together while they are apart - very romantic.

I found it very interesting (and kind of funny) that, today, the revelers at the Moon Festival will build an altar for Chang Er to bless. That’s not so strange. What I found to be odd is that the human offering at the altar are new toiletries! But, then I realized that toiletries can include soaps, shampoos, makeup, etc. And when she blesses the offerings, they are then endowed to bring beauty to the person making the offering. Kind of makes sense.

As I am sitting here now during a break from the competition - tonight is the dressage Grand Prix Special - I’m thinking about the beauty and the grace of these amazing riders. Two Americans have made the cut - Steffen Peters (aboard Ravel) and Courtney King Dye (aboard Mythilus). They are continuing in their hopes of bringing home an Individual Olympic medal. My hopes and thoughts are with each of them.

I’m hoping that tonight’s full moon shines down on each of them as they ride in the special, bringing them and their horses a lucky night.

The luck and beauty of the full moon.

One of the interesting things about the trip to Hong Kong has been the food. From high-end Cantonese cuisine to local family-owned food stalls to the meals offered to the athletes, press and staff of the Olympic Games at the equestrian venue, it has ran the gamut. It’s also caused more than one case of serious heart burn to say the least.

You can find some of the most interesting (and disturbing, depending on your sensitivity level) foods on the open streets of Hong Kong.

I took a trip the other day to a local “wet market.” This is a marketplace (this one was semi-open air) that gets its name from the fact that the floor and areas around it are sprayed down with water, hence the name “wet market.” In these places, you can find live animals (from fish to frogs, poultry to pigs). The animals are caged or in containers and butchered for you on the spot. To a Westerner, this might seem a bit extreme, but it puts the term “fresh” to its most literal use. You can also find fresh fruits and vegetables at these markets. Many of the local “mom and pop” shops get their goods here.

A little less “in your face” is the traditional supermarkets here in Hong Kong. A walk through one of them will reveal a world of foods and ingredients to make the head spin. Things I’ve never seen or heard of before abound (and I’m a pretty knowledgeable cook, many stumped me). It’s a fun way to spend some time in Hong Kong if you are a “foodie” like me.

The other day, my good buddy and journalist, Jennifer Wood, and I went on a lunch excursion. Near her hotel is a wide array of small restaurants ranging from the street-side café type to the indoor-sit down variety. Since it was hotter than blue blazes, we decided to go indoors and sit down in a very cool and comfortable little spot. At each table had a flat screen TV built into the booth’s wall. The show playing while we dined was some Chinese cartoon that made no sense whatsoever to either of us. We just watched some of it and shook our heads.

Ordering in this restaurant was a bit of problem as our waitress spoke not one word of English. She was smart and brought us a picture menu which showed many of their favorite dishes - eel and rice to whole fried duck.

We both opted for something a bit on the safe side. She is a vegetarian, so she wanted some veggie noodles. However, the waitress could not understand when Jenn pointed to the photo of the shrimp noodles in the picture menu and said “No shrimp,” pointing at the shrimps in the photo and shaking her head back-and-forth to indicate she wanted the dish without them.

After several minutes of this tiresome exercise, the waitress left and brought back someone that knew a few words of English. It really didn’t help much, but we were able to get him to half-way understand. Her dish arrived and in place of the shrimps were thin strips of beef. She shook her head when it arrived and simply dealt with it and ate around the beef.

I had less trouble ordering. I asked for some kind of barbequed pork dish with rice. It came without incident, thankfully.

Another interesting meal here in Hong Kong came when I went out one night on my own to get something to eat. I had eaten enough room service (it is just so easy to pick up the phone at 1 a.m. and order something simple than run out in the middle of the night on unfamiliar streets).

However, one night I did venture out and found a small spot that had, to my luck, one of my favorite Chinese dishes - Char Siu Bao - steamed dumplings filled with a spicy pork or beef. They are amazing and I first tried them years ago when in New York City’s Chinatown. These are not the traditional dumpling like you get in your hometown Chinese restaurant. These gems are amazing, and I can never get enough of them.

I found the ultimate authentic thing here in Hong Kong, and even though I knew my stomach would pay for it the next day, I simply didn’t care. I had to have them, and so I did. The discomfort was more than worth it the next day.

Another strange, and kind of funny, food experience happened here at the Olympic venue last week. I was here one day early and decided I would get a bite of breakfast. I made my way downstairs to the dining hall. Each day there are several choices to have for each meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many of the media haven’t had a meal outside this place probably - work hours can be long.

I went to the main board to see the day’s breakfast offerings. I like a hearty breakfast. The yogurt-and-fruit thing has never satisfied my taste buds. So, I was intrigued by one dish described as “Noodles with Meat and Egg.”

In my convoluted mind, that sounded like a version of egg drop soup with meat and some noodles. I thought, “Let’s try it.” Plus, I kept seeing people go by with large bowls, which it was served in, so I thought if everyone else was ordering it, I should to.

I was very wrong.

Without paying too much attention, I walked up to the line, told the service person I wanted Letter A (you order by letter) and turned around and gave my attention elsewhere while my breakfast was being assembled. When I turned around, I was shocked when I looked down into the bowl to find the following….

Ramen noodles. Two slices of Spam. A fried egg. Chicken broth. Three pieces of limp broccoli.

HUH?

Ramen noodles and Spam? What’s with the fried egg floating on top greasy chicken stock? And was the three sad pieces of broccoli meant to counter-balance the million grams of fat and salt that was wafting in this oversized bowl in front of me?

I was stupefied…and a little cautious.

“Next!” yelled the lady behind the counter. I grabbed my tray and, in a confused state, and made my way to the checkout counter.

“$35 dollars,” yelled the cashier. I handed her my money, and I slowly made my way to the media-only dining area to sit down and contemplate my breakfast decision.

I sat there for a few minutes, turning my attention to the flat screen TV showing beach volleyball. Then I remembered I had my breakfast to eat. I suddenly wasn’t so hungry after all.

“I should have gotten an ice cream bar,” I thought. But, I hadn’t gotten an ice cream bar. I wish I had.

“OK…let’s try this,” I thought. And I did.

I don’t want to offend any culture’s taste in what they like for breakfast, but this was really horrible. It was perfectly horrible to be more specific.

I just couldn’t eat it. After one bite, I put down my chopsticks and sighed. I had just wasted money on something that many of the people in this dining hall would be happy to eat. I felt foolish.

If I had been in someone’s home here in Hong Kong, and they had served that to me, I would have eaten it. But I wasn’t in someone’s home, and I wasn’t going to eat it.

I took my tray over to the area where they kindly instruct you to bus your own plates and trays. The woman standing beside the bins looked at me like I was the biggest sinner in the world - wasting food! How dare I?

As I poured my “breakfast” into the garbage receptacle, she looked at me and frowned. I felt really uncomfortable. I turned and deposited my bowl and chopsticks in the bussing trays on the nearby table. She was still staring at me. I immediately turned, not looking back, and made my way for the staircase, and quick.

I got back to my seat in the media center and was still hungry. I opted for some three-in-one tea (a blend of tea and powdered sweet milk) to soothe my disturbing breakfast experience.

It was going to be a long time until lunch and the menu changed. I sat there hoping the disapproving garbage lady would be off duty when I returned that afternoon for lunch. She was not.

The minute I walked into the dining hall, she spotted me like an eagle at 100 yards away. This time I ordered something so completely innocuous that I knew I would eat every bite.

When I went to bus my tray, she was not there (thankfully). Perhaps she was on a break. Maybe it was her time to eat. Regardless, I didn’t get the “evil eye” and that was a good thing.

On Wednesday (yesterday), the “Party Gods” were ready to let loose on a bash hosted by the 2010 Games Foundation with the help of the USET and the USEF. It was hosted as one of the most spectacular bar/restaurants in all of Hong Kong - Aqua.

This bar has been constantly named one of the Top 100 bars in the world, and one look at it will erase any doubts about the rankings. I’d place it squarely near the top and for many reasons - lead among the is the one-of-a-kind two-story view of the city’s skyline. For more than 180 degrees, you can see the East, South and West views - it is truly fantastic.

The party coincided with dressage competition, so I was not able to stay for very long. The events began at 5 p.m. and lasted until 9 p.m. (though I hear it went past this cut-off).

Aqua is located on the 28th and 29th floors of the One Peking Road building, just a few blocks away from our hotel. It is first-rate all the way.

Senior VP of Marketing and Communications Kathy Meyer spent part of her day seeing to final touches, making sure that everything would be “just right.” She is great with details and has an impeccable eye, so all was in good hands.

Entering the building, you must take a steep escalator to the main foyer of the building. You immediately know you are in one of Hong Kong’s coolest spots. After walking to the elevators, I was greeted by a young Chinese lady who asked my destination.

“Aqua Bar, please,” I said.

“Ah, this has been reserved for a very special event this evening. I’m sorry,” she said, as if I was not to be given admittance.

“I’m invited,” I assured her, pulling out my Olympic credentials from my pocket and waving it at her as politely as I could.

“Ah, yes, sir,” she said, and I was given entry. I boarded the elevator that whisked so fast up the 28 floors that my ears popped! The doors opened and in front of me was revealed the sleek foyer to the bar.

“Wow,” I thought, “This is swanky.”

I entered the bar, and flanked on each side of me were servers stoically standing with trays of exotic cocktails, all of which I wanted to try, but none of which I dare imbibed.

“Work,” I said to myself, “Unlike other, you are not here to hob knob, you are here to take some quick pics of guests and then haul your butt to the venue. Dressage starts tonight, and I’m not here to miss a single minute of competition.”

I walked down the stairs into the two-story all glass main bar. My jaw dropped at the panoramic view of the city.

“Breathtaking,” I thought to myself. “I only wish I could be here when it gets dark and they show the harbor laser light show!”

I had seen the light show my first night day in Hong Kong. I sat in my hotel room and watched the long line of huge buildings change color, light up and shoot laser beams into the sky. It was so cool. I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower light up at night, sparking like a jeweled monument, and I’ve seen the Parthenon in Athens aglow at night, washed with white light, shining like a beautiful reminder of Ancient times. But, I’d never seen anything as Technicolor as the Hong Kong skyline flickering like Studio 54 in its heyday.

“Photos,” I reminded myself.

So, I went about taking candid shots of the bar and view and some of the guests as they arrived for the party.

Beezie Madden and Anne Kursinski made their way in, decked out in the team “look” compliments of Ralph Lauren. Amy Tryon and Becky Holder made their entrance. Officials from the FEI, Olympic officials and many more athletes and international guests all came to raise a few glasses, celebrate the Games and look forward to the events that go down in Lexington, KY, in 2010.

After getting about 30 shots, I looked at my watch and thought, “Yikes, if you are going to take the subway, you better haul it now or you will miss the first rider.”

So, trying to be a good boy, I put my digital camera away and headed back to the hotel to change out of one sweaty shirt for a clean one, throw on some shorts and grab my sandals (it hasn’t rained in days, thank goodness) and head out to the Olympic venue.

On the train, I kept thinking about the party, and how much fun everyone was having. I was glad for them. They’ve all worked hard and they deserve a night where they can kick up their heels and party. It’s not every year that you get to the Olympics, or get to host a party celebrating the horse world coming to your home for a World Equestrian Games.

But, I sure did want one of those lychee martinis...

Getting to and from the Olympics in Hong Kong has been an interesting experience. Unlike other Games (including the 2004 Athens Games, or the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, or the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), the transportation system here in Hong Kong goes almost directly to the Olympic venue. It’s very nice since it can be like herding cats when trying to get staff, athletes and media here for Team USA altogether in one place to take specially hired shuttle vans to make the trek to and from the venue.

So…we have all sort of developed our own transportation methods to get to “work” and back “home” from the venue. Mine involves a subway (or train) trip, a hired taxi to the official media hotel and then a shuttle bus that takes me directly inside the venue, past security, and drops me off within a few hundred feet of the media center.

Here is how my daily journey goes….

I start out at the nice Sheraton Hotel which is located at the tip of Hong Kong, just across from Hong Kong Island with the spectacular views of the many skyscrapers that are so characteristic of this amazing city. It’s also across the street from Harry Winston and Louis Vuitton. You get the picture.

Just on the other side of our block is the East Tsim Sha Tsui metro station - very convenient. What is so nice about it is that it is air-conditioned. Excellent! Walk in the building and go down the escalators to the main metro area. A quick walk through the metro and you can slide your Octopus card (this has come in very handy here) and you are inside the transportation hub and can easily access the train that takes me the first leg of my daily two-way journey.

An Octopus card is like a credit card that you purchase with a set amount of money on it. You keep it in your pocket, wallet or purse and simply wave the card (in your pocket, wallet or purse) near the Octopus screen and it automatically deletes that fare from your card once you leave your final destination. Super simple. Depending on the distance of your trip, you are charged a varying fare. You can also use the Octopus card at various fast food spots, 7-11 and other places where you make small purchases. We should have a version of it in the States.

Once I exit the metro at Sha Tin (which has a really neat shopping complex built over top of it), you exit into the hot air and go down a large, descending walkway to the area where you pick up a taxi to head to the official media hotel located in Sha Tin at the Regal Riverside Hotel. The other day, I stopped into the mall and had a quick bite at a place called Euro Go-Go, which served only Western style food. I was craving some good Italian, and I go it.

Back to my work route. It’s a quick taxi ride - maybe 5 minutes and costs approximately $3 U.S. - and it drops you off where you can go through security to enter the Olympic venue. This prevents me from having to stand in line with tons of spectators which can take forever to maneuver. It’s called a bubble-to-bubble transport - meaning you are in a safe/secure bubble at your departure and you end up at the other bubble to be dropped off. Nice.

Once you go through security at the media hotel, you board a bus to the venue, which is another short trip - about 10 minutes. They drop you off inside the venue at the media facility.

When it is time to go home…you do the plan in reverse.

The other night, after the awarding of the eventing medals, I left the media center a bit later than usual - around 1:45 a.m. The last subway/train going to my final destination leaves the station at a little after 2:00 a.m., so I have to really hustle to get to my final train.

By the time I made it to the metro at Sha Tin, there were maybe 20 people on the final train downtown to East Tsim Sha Tsui. There are six stops on the way. After two stops on my journey, I was the very last person on the entire subway train! It was completely deserted and each time there was a stop at a station, I looked out at the empty platforms. It sort of freaked me out a bit.

These platforms during the day and evening are jam-packed with thousands and thousands of people. It’s so crowded. To see absolutely no one around was really weird. I got creeped out. All kinds of scenarios from horror movies and slasher movies popped into my crazy head. Not fun.

When I reached the final destination, I exited the subway car with caution and looked both ways - no one. Not one soul anywhere to be found on the lower levels.

I found myself power walking to the escalator to take me to the main transit level. I was actually climbing up the stair on the escalator - something I never do. When I got out there, there was no one. Only the computerized voice of the announcer saying this was the last train (in Cantonese and then English with a British accent) and to please exit the transit center.

I walked quickly through the transit center and turned a sharp corner only to bump, smack-dab, into a sanitation worker. My heart jumped into my chest and I thought I was going to keel over dead on the spot. I may have even scared this poor guy more than he scared me. My mind loves to play tricks on me, and it was in full form that night.

I made my way out of the transit center, going up the final escalator and onto the hot, late night streets. A block away, I found my hotel and was glad to be there.

So…that’s my daily routine here in Hong Kong when traveling to and from the Games. It’s been a great way to observe the people, learn the transportation system and get some fun stories to add my growing list thus far from this incredible place.

Everywhere I go, I make a new friend. I guess I’m one of those people who “never meets a stranger.”

The same has rang true here in Hong Kong. I can honestly say there are few places I’ve been around the world that I’ve found the people to be so friendly and so helpful. Especially anyone associated with the Olympic Games. If you find a person wearing one of the Beijing 2008 shirts (they are everywhere), then you’ve found someone who will stop what they are doing, no matter what, and lend you a hand. Basically, you’ve made a new friend.

This is true for two of my new Chinese buddies - Nofi and Tony. Nofi is a very sweet and meek (at first) young lady from Hong Kong. She is a recent high school (their version) graduate who is working the summer games as her summer job before she goes to a technical school (a version of their university). She told me she wants to work in an office one day and own a car. My other new friend is “Tony” (his real name I cannot pronounce, but as many Chinese do, they take on a Western name). He has completed a year of university and is working on some sort of business degree. He wants to travel one day he told me.

The other day, I gave both Nofi and Tony one of the Team USA pins. Their faces lit up as if I had given them a Golden Ticket like in “Willy Wonka.” I couldn’t help but smile at their reaction. So much appreciation for such a small gesture.

“Thank you so much!” squealed Nofi. “Oh, yes, thank you, Brian” said Tony. They both immediately put them on the lanyards - the first and only pins they had gotten. Pin collecting at these events is a big thing for some people; lanyards are practically weighted down with them. I find them to be bothersome, so I collect them when given them (or trade them) and keep them in a drawer, not on my lanyard.

This pin-giving opened up a new door between Nofi and Tony and I. We had chatted briefly and cordially when I would leave the press room (which is set at about 60 degrees F). Even as this heat and humidity leave me weak, once you are in the 60 degrees for a while, you need to go outside and warm up a bit - it doesn’t take long. Two or three minutes and I’m found running back into the “fridge.”

After giving the Team USA pins to Nofi and Tony, I saw them change a bit. It was as if we WERE good friends and they opened and began to ask me questions about the U.S., my life and what is was like to be an American. Honestly, I don’t think they had had a real conversation with an American before. At least that is what it seemed like to me.

It was one of the most eye-opening discussions I’ve had in a long time, and it taught me a lot about how we are viewed (or perceived) by the Chinese. At least these two very nice Chinese folks.

It began with a simple question.

Nofi asked, “Brian, where are you from?” I immediately went to the default answer. “Do you like KFC?” I asked. “Oh, yes, it is so good,” replied Nofi. “I like Wasabi recipe!” she said. It’s one of their flavors here, like Original Recipe, but very, very spicy and hot. I went on to say I was from Kentucky, as in Kentucky Fried Chicken. Here eyes lit up and she laughed and said, “Yes, I love Kentucky Chicken!”

That made me laugh.

I explained that fried chicken was a traditional Southern food and that Kentucky is Southern state and that good ol’ KFC originated there and that I liked it, too.

“Yes, I see you do,” she said, looking at my fat gut. Then she realized what she had said and turned the brightest shade of red I had ever seen. She immediately apologized and turned around as if she could not even look at me.

I laughed out loud, and told her not to worry and that it was completely OK. I told her I had eaten KFC a thousand times, and yes it is not the best diet food. I assured her that her response was perfectly fine (and very funny) and she recovered. I rubbed my stomach and said, “Mmmm…KFC!” She burst in hysterical laughter. It was a great, funny moment.

Then, Tony decided to ask me a much more interesting question. “Americans, yes, there are many…ah, how do I say…big Americans, yes?”

“Yes, there sure are, Tony,” I replied. “We have very relaxed lives. We eat whatever we want, and we do not get enough exercise…and many of us are just lazy like me,” I replied. He shook his head as if he understood. These are, of course, generalizations, but I wanted to answer his question as honest as possible.

“Why is this so?” he continued.

I was dumbstruck for moment. Why are we so sedentary? Why do we eat whatever we want as if it won’t matter? Why am I so lazy and avoid the gym (or exercise in general) as if it was the plague?

I didn’t really have an answer. I told him I really didn’t know. But, I did. I just didn