GO HERE for more pictures

Having gotten my feet wet (literally) walking around Beijing, my group decided that we would use our last completely free day before the rowing competition kicked off to get an early head start on all of the gifts we would need to bring back (and of course a few things for ourselves).  In Beijing, the first stops on that journey are the Silk Market and The Hongqiao Pearl Market.  Though you can get pearls and silk at both (custom jewelry and tailoring too), there is much, much more to be found.  These markets have evolved from public squares to multi-story edifices of commerce.

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Go Here for more pictures from Shunyi

A number of readers and commenters have asked for pictures of the rowing venue that Jason and I are spending so much time at. The Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park covers 402 acres (most of that water surface of course). Over 500 athletes from 47 teams and 60 countries are competing, half of them on the flat water course we are at. The weather has been hazy like the rest of Beijing for most of the week, but Jason is better qualified to say whether that has been a factor in the results. More»

GO HERE for a few more photos from Beijing.

Ni Hao, or hello, from the 2008 Olympics! I've been in Beijing to follow the quest for gold on the rowing course, especially that of your favorite men's pair (I can honestly say I've known them all their lives), which has gone exceptionally well so far (see them row in the finals on Saturday). I'm staying in the Shunyi area, which is also where the rowing/canoeing/kayak venue is.  One of the "outer boroughs" of Beijing, it's much less crowded than the city, but it can take over an hour to get to the Olympic Park venues and the heart of the city.

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Our correspondents in Beijing are getting PUMPED for opening ceremony which begun today.

Jason Read (Gold Medal Winner in Rowing in Athens) has found himself, once more, in the middle of an opportunity of a lifetime at the Beijing Games.  You can read about his adventures over at the Wall Street Journal HERE and HERE.  Today, he has shared his first of many photos to come.  Also, stay tuned for JR's reports from the Beijing party circuit in week two when their events are over.  He's already sent us a preliminary schedule and it looks like the guy is going to be tuckered out by the end of the ordeal.  If anyone can represent our country both on the water and in the clubs, it's J.R.

The final leg of the Olympic torch relay began today. The flame has traveled 137,000 kilometers through 130 cities in 130 days. Its record setting journey will culminate tonight at the National Stadium where it will ignite the cauldron to signal the start of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Take a look at hottie Jason Read and his Beijing photos thus far:

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