THE LAST DAY OF THE OLYMPICS

Beijing, Day 26

The adventure reaches its end! One eye laughing, the other one crying, the team of the House of Switzerland looked at this last day with mixed emotions. While the author of this lines and his better half had their first, and also last, meal at the public restaurant of the HoS (excellent! compliments to the chefs who really spoiled us!), the first potential buyers were walking through the hall, securing tables, chef uniforms, TV screens, cutlery and stoves. We managed to keep all students out of their way, otherwise I fear they would have gone straight into slavery.

The first... and last meal at the HoS

Say cheese! Chef Bruno has two new fans in Beijing

What means ogoshi?
Ute is serving bronze medalist Sergei Aschwanden

After an extremely difficult process of scanning passport & visa and submitting photos, fingerprints, DNA samples,... we finally managed to get tickets to the Olympic closing ceremony for Trude and myself!!! Especially after I found out that Jimmy Page, guitar player of Led Zeppelin, would be part of the show I was really looking forward to be finally able to see the famous Bird's Nest from the inside.

The author of these lines with the guardian of the fireworks

In the stadium we found a rather big bag on every seat, and it took a 1 hour training to explain to all 91.484 spectators how to use the various items and tools (different flags, foils, lights, drums,....) which were in our bags. We gave our best, and when Jacques Rogge said that "these games were truly exceptional" I felt that he mentioned that probably also a bit because of our enthusiastic waving, clapping, and drumming (doped by natural mineral water only!).

The official Olympic Closing Ceremony tools!

Feeling blue!

Il Finale Furioso!

After the show we joined the HoS team in their last effort to reduce the kitchen and bar stock to a minimum, and I will for reasons of descretion and privacy give no further details. When we finally came home, the birds were singing, and the sun and Nicholas were rising (Nicholas thought it was time for breakfast, not sure what the sun thought...). What a great day & night! CK

The after party at The HoS (Censored!)