THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Beijing, Day 1

Today, at 06h45, Air China flight number 966 from Frankfurt landed safely in the Olympic city, on board the second batch of the “César Ritz” team.

Manuel, Julian, Fides and Hakon, with the author as background

Thanks to the new, drastic traffic restrictions the transfer to the apartments went very smoothly, and Fides Höfling, Hakon Gjerde, Manuel Topell and Julian Petrow, as well as the author of these lines, were admiring the luxury accommodation for the GammaCatering staff. Especially those who were already working at the Olympics in Athens 2004, or Torino 2006, like Stephanie Höfling or Hakon, appreciate the fact that the apartments or hardly ten minutes walking distance from the House of Switzerland.

The Organized Chaos, 1:
The House of Switzerland Beijing 2008, almost ready...

After some shopping (especially for drinks as the temperatures vary at the moment between 25° Celsius at night and 42° Celsius during the day), we all met at the HoS to have a look at the future “battlefield”. It is hard to believe that the piles of cables, containers, and other material will be installed and ready in a few days. After a drink in the temporary headquarters (the internet coffee bar next door), and instructions for the health test tomorrow morning at 06h45 (yes, we are all looking forward to that one!), we leave now to organize Chinese SIM cards under the expert guidance of Emily Sit and Stephanie who are already in Beijing since a week and know the place almost by heart. CK.

The Organized Chaos, 2:
Stephanies office at the internet café