Dear Pipsqueaks,
After a long rest, I'm finally in the brain mode to write! I had wanted to update right after my shower, but couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to take out my laptop and fell asleep from 6pm to 12:30am! I know I shouldn't have slept but there was no fighting the need for my body to rest. But anyway, here to update now am I not?!
(Small but clean room. The bed was very comfy indeed~)
Bleh, flight at 2am wasn't as bad as I had imagined. After a delicious meal at Muhhibah with a small group of friends, I lasted until the first meal time on flight. Not bad if I must say so myself. Flying this time around sucked because I couldn't find anything interesting to watch on ICE. I've practically seen everything that I've wanted to watch. Although, they did have Twilight Series and Lord of the Ring Series...I would have been a happy girl if they had the Harry Potter one. Maybe they couldn't get the rights for it. Oh wells, luckily I downloaded my own drama to watch on my tablet! Thank goodness for my tablet~
I also met a very interesting Malaysian on my way to Dubai. Unfortunately, due to flight, my brain was a bit fried to remember her name but she had the cutest baby ever! She used to play for the Malaysian team post-Sidek brother times, before she chose studies over badminton. Now she lives in New Castle with annual visits to KL. I left her my name card so hopefully she'll have time to catch up the next time she's in town! It's always nice to meet new people - it's like picking up a book and reading the first few pages only to find you want to read more! Anyway, we chit chat for a while before we both had to board. I figured she could use some adult talk as she's been speaking to her 5yo and 8mo kids all flight long. Hope you had a smooth trip back home!
(Emirates flights are the best! They actually give chocolate bars for snacks~ my favourite one too!)
After 25 or so hours, I've arrived in Rio! Honestly, I was in a little disbelief that I'm actually landing in Rio. Here at the Olympic Games for the second time. You might not understand, but the excitement is not only for the athletes. It's for everyone who participates in any shape or form. It's that OLYMPIC VIBE! Frankly, I wasn't as enthusiastic about these Games as I was with Vancouver2010 or London2012, because I hadn't felt the vibe. But it started to kick in when I reached the accreditation validation area of the airport. The Rio2016 staff were very friendly and I think their excitement sparked it for me. It's a good thing as I do want to be in full Olympic mode not only physically but emotionally too! I will regret it if I weren't.
So anyway, I'm sure you would have seen that clip of Usain Bolt looking puzzled and annoyed looking for transport upon exiting into the arrival hall of the airport. Yes, that was me too except I didn't have cameras shooting at me being annoyed. But yes, it was rather frustrating to see a whole bunch of people yet no one to guide me to where I need to go. I have a TF transport, yet I didn't know where to get on a TF transport. Before becoming frustrated, I took a deep breath and asked a Rio2016 staff for directions. You wouldn't believe me...but I had one staff who spoke little English and another who spoke absolutely none. At that moment, yes I was a bit worried that I wouldn't even make it to my hotel!
Luckily, the granny who spoke no English was very kind and eager to help. She led me outside down into a parking lot (I had the impression she'd drive me herself because she seemed to know where she was going) to the T3 stand (T3 is pooled car transport for a certain group of people. I'm only given a TF, which means I get public and some shuttle transport). Knowing I didn't have T3, I was pretty sure they'd kick me back upstairs to take the shuttle. BUT, what do you know? They took some time to examine my hotel address, put me on the next vehicle and took me to my hotel! Can't tell you how lucky and relieved I was!
The ride was almost 45 minutes as there seemed to be a jam on the highway. It wasn't until we reached the Olympic lanes that the ride became a little smoother. No joke, we had the aircon blasting as the temperature was bout 27 degrees! This is supposed to be their summer?! Though, I shouldn't be too surprised because my colleague had told me the temperatures are rather extreme during times of the day. Cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and cold again in the evening. Not that I'll be wandering out myself, so I won't find out until some of my team arrives.
This morning, I had planned to take one of our IF cars to the Athletes Village to check on the Sports Presentation filming we're organising, but my upgrade had not been approved yet. So now, I'm in my room being a very good girl doing my emails and checking up on the teams. So far, I haven't heard any complaints or teams not showing up, so all good! Fingers crossed I'll get my upgrade later today so I can go do what I came early to do.
(Talk about simple breakfast. I think I can lose weight in 3 weeks if I ate like this, haha!)
(My access to the Games! That's the public transit card...)
I did complain my luggage was too heavy for me to carry, but totally worth it! There's nothing near our hotel to eat, so thank goodness for my stash of food! This kinda reminds me of the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in New Delhi 2014. Though, I think I'm a little more prepared this time. I even brought my vitamins and a pack of M&M's because I KNOW I will have cravings for chocolate. So might as well bring them - I'll be here for 20 plus days anyway. Until my colleagues arrive later tonight, I've been ordered to stay put. So I am. Or maybe if I can get a car, I'll drop by the venue.
(So glad my colleagues have warned me about food here! I can last at least the first day by myself no problem :))
Cheers to a smooth first day for Rio2016!
Are we ready for the Games? Yes, we are!