So for example, the Greece flagbearers were right behind the great Britian flag holders ( alphabetical order) and one tapped me on the shoulder. He made a sign I didn't recognize and then pointed to our flag. Neither a or I sign well or understand much, so we looked to our portugese guides, who were the holding the country signs, to help us out. Unfortunely, they didn't know Greece sign language, British sign language, or even how to speak either language.
After a few attempts of using different hand movements, one of the guides understood the word and made the following signs: woman, fat, and then a downward motion with his hand towards the floor. Unfortunately, my brain was still not working and I was completely confused by now. Luckily one of the Greek swimmers had a cell phone and typed out the word : mother. Finally, I understood!!! All he wanted to say was his mother was from England. Mystery solved!
Just finished my 4th race and third day: I swam the 200 free (3rd) 50 free (3rd) and 50 fly (5th), as well as a 5th place finish in the 4x100 free relay. Tomorrow is our break day - basically we do a little swimming in the morning, walk around the city, and a lot of sleeping and relaxing at the hotel.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Opening ceremonies and first swims
I've lost track of what day it is. With long meets like these, the days tend to blend into each other. Anyway, I know i haven't posted on the opening ceremonies yet, so here it is:
A and I were chosen as flag bearers. The ceremonies were at the pool - so our only responsibility was to march around the pool - sounds easier than it was!! We waiting for about 15 minutes standing up, talking to other teams. Not much talking as it was mostly signing. There are some similar signs from language to language - such as tomorrow, swim, before and after, and then I can do the alphabet in both american and British sign language.
So communication ends up being 50% random handmovements and 50% facial expressions. But we somehow all understand each other - and if we are completely confused- writing it down on a piece of paper or cell phone always works!
A and I were chosen as flag bearers. The ceremonies were at the pool - so our only responsibility was to march around the pool - sounds easier than it was!! We waiting for about 15 minutes standing up, talking to other teams. Not much talking as it was mostly signing. There are some similar signs from language to language - such as tomorrow, swim, before and after, and then I can do the alphabet in both american and British sign language.
So communication ends up being 50% random handmovements and 50% facial expressions. But we somehow all understand each other - and if we are completely confused- writing it down on a piece of paper or cell phone always works!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Day 4&5&6?: travel and training
Howdy!
Made it to Coimbra, Portugal after 2,3 days I'd traveling. I'm not very good at counting hours but we left at 1.30 on thursday and arrived at 3 on Friday - add in the time differences - and that makes for a lengthy trip. I traveled with the american team from Washington d.c and we all wore our track suits. We all had to wear our tracksuits, luckily enough my tracksuit is blue and red as well so I didn't stand out too much. But I'm sure was still the oddest looking person on the flight because I had white compression sock leggings. It was too hot to wear sweats so I has on my shorts. And so if you hear any stories of a girl wearing Navy blue Track top and shorts as well as white stockings wandering around the airport - that was probably me. Now that I think about it - I kind of looked like a medieval girl dressed up as a prince!!
Safely landed in portugal without any problems - it was sunny and warm but not hot when we arrived. Then we took a 2 hour bus ride from the airport to the hotel. I somehow managed to stay awake and got to see a lOt of the beautiful countryside. The best way to describe it is to say that it looked like a cross between a Wisconsin countryside and an Italian countryside( from the movies I've seen)- rolling hills blue skies, and plenty of farm land . I love how all the houses are Red roofs and white siding!!
Made it to Coimbra, Portugal after 2,3 days I'd traveling. I'm not very good at counting hours but we left at 1.30 on thursday and arrived at 3 on Friday - add in the time differences - and that makes for a lengthy trip. I traveled with the american team from Washington d.c and we all wore our track suits. We all had to wear our tracksuits, luckily enough my tracksuit is blue and red as well so I didn't stand out too much. But I'm sure was still the oddest looking person on the flight because I had white compression sock leggings. It was too hot to wear sweats so I has on my shorts. And so if you hear any stories of a girl wearing Navy blue Track top and shorts as well as white stockings wandering around the airport - that was probably me. Now that I think about it - I kind of looked like a medieval girl dressed up as a prince!!
Safely landed in portugal without any problems - it was sunny and warm but not hot when we arrived. Then we took a 2 hour bus ride from the airport to the hotel. I somehow managed to stay awake and got to see a lOt of the beautiful countryside. The best way to describe it is to say that it looked like a cross between a Wisconsin countryside and an Italian countryside( from the movies I've seen)- rolling hills blue skies, and plenty of farm land . I love how all the houses are Red roofs and white siding!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Day 2 & 3: Training
Just before I start this post, I would just like to say that I just watched two episodes of keeping up with the kardashians and two episodes of sex and the city - so my iq might have dropped more than a little. (butt X-rays and implants - really)??
So for the past two days, I've been staying at galludet university - one of the universities designed specially for deaf and hard of hearing college students locate in washington d.c. It's kind of walking into a foreign country because everyone signs and not a lot of people talk. Everyone includes the people serving food and the bus drivers, as well as any emergency personnel that come to campus. As someone who doesnt sign, this can be a little alienating. But I've done my best to really try to learn sign language. Right now I can say : see the orange talking duck - probably not the most helpful phrase to know, but thankfully I have lots of people to help with translating and teaching new words. Unfortunately, British sign language is very different from American, so I'm sure I'll be even more confused when I meet up with them on friday.
The rest of the american team arrives tonight, and then we all leavE for Portugal tomorrow at 5pm. I get to see my team on Friday evening at the hotel - and then it's time to compete!
So for the past two days, I've been staying at galludet university - one of the universities designed specially for deaf and hard of hearing college students locate in washington d.c. It's kind of walking into a foreign country because everyone signs and not a lot of people talk. Everyone includes the people serving food and the bus drivers, as well as any emergency personnel that come to campus. As someone who doesnt sign, this can be a little alienating. But I've done my best to really try to learn sign language. Right now I can say : see the orange talking duck - probably not the most helpful phrase to know, but thankfully I have lots of people to help with translating and teaching new words. Unfortunately, British sign language is very different from American, so I'm sure I'll be even more confused when I meet up with them on friday.
The rest of the american team arrives tonight, and then we all leavE for Portugal tomorrow at 5pm. I get to see my team on Friday evening at the hotel - and then it's time to compete!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 1: Travel
Just arrived in Dullus airport in Washington D.C and now waiting for our baggage to leave the airplane hold and make it's way to the airport. It's lightning outside so all operations have been delayed until the weather gets better. So I am sitting on the floor munching my way throughout a $6 bag of trail mix (thanks dad!)
Plane ride was a rollercoaster with turbulance. Made for a very interesting plane ride complete with shrieking people and a little kid whose stomach couldn't quite handle the commotion. Unfortunely this was probably me about 10 years ago. Whoever invented that handy paper bag they put in the seat pocket is a genious.
Nothing else to report on the plane apart from the an article in the "hemisphere" magazine about singaporean food - I laughed outloud when the author stated he couldnt understand how such a clean and efficient city would allow durians to be sold. Apparently he didn't appreciate the taste of the interesting fruit!
And so this starts the first day of my trip to Portugal. I'll try to keep blogging with updates!
Plane ride was a rollercoaster with turbulance. Made for a very interesting plane ride complete with shrieking people and a little kid whose stomach couldn't quite handle the commotion. Unfortunely this was probably me about 10 years ago. Whoever invented that handy paper bag they put in the seat pocket is a genious.
Nothing else to report on the plane apart from the an article in the "hemisphere" magazine about singaporean food - I laughed outloud when the author stated he couldnt understand how such a clean and efficient city would allow durians to be sold. Apparently he didn't appreciate the taste of the interesting fruit!
And so this starts the first day of my trip to Portugal. I'll try to keep blogging with updates!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)