Mah Jong Coincidence

(posted by Stephanie) After not speaking live with Adam since last Friday, he finally got through to me Tuesday night while I was learning to play jewish-style Mah Jong with my mom, aunt, and cousins. Turns out that he had gone out drinking with his kitchen staff on Tuesday night (his time) and had learned how to play Chinese-style Mah Jong with them!

Sounds like things are going much better: he now has a real translator, and has been busily teaching the hotel's Chinese staff how to make hommous, pizza, and other American fare. He says that there is real respect and excitement from the staff to learn something new, and that this Chinese-American cooperation is a real "first" brought about by the Olympics. He has also been spending time with the coaches and training staff -- many of whom are former Olympians and world-class athletes -- who are on site getting ready for tomorrow's arrival of the first competitors. They have been very enthusiastic consumers of Adam's efforts in the kitchen, as they were getting tired of the hotel's Chinese food.

Internet communication remains a challenge, though. He's still in temporary housing with little internet access, so no blogging directly from Adam for the time being. He's hoping that he'll have more access next week when he moves into the main hotel; I'm hoping he'll be able to post a few pictures by then. And see the exciting pictures of our new kitchen countertop that I'll plan to post tomorrow!