This is the view from our cab ride to our hotel/dorm room at Beijing Normal University. As you can see there is a heavy haze in the air, although there was no physical sign of air pollution ie. burning lungs. 

So we arrived at the University and we are taken to our rooms. They are standard dorm rooms for support staff and for athletes before they are taken to the Olympic village. Anne and I have yet to see the village, special credentials are needed, although we are set to see it this Sat.  

Outside of the University and all over Beijing the most popular way to get around is by Bicycle. About 99% of the bikes are very old, yet everyone form teenagers to senior citizens use them. 

What can be more important than cheap transportation? 

A bicycle repair shop!

 Now that we have settled in the our rooms, the next step was mapping out how far our dorms were from the area that we were going to stretch Dara at. Anne mapped the area out, and what looked like 10 minute walk turned into an hour and  a half. After a long and hot walk, we finally made it to the "cube"! 

The pics below are of a giant mud looking castle that featured a restaurant and a gym! 

 Below: the first veiw of the birds nest!

 Below: We made it to the cube, finally!

 Ps- there is security everywhere! Apparently there are 40,ooo security people at the Olympics. What is really amazing is that no one is carrying a weapon, even the police, or the soldiers.

Here is a better close up of the cube. Its actually made out a thin plastic material. 

More pics of banners around Beijing-