Just a quick post to say that I am safely in London, and am quite overwhelmed with the awesomeness of this event. It's difficult to articulate how big it is, and I totally underestimated how much bigger than a world championship it would feel. I'll probably mostly just repost articles while I am here, and will be on twitter a fair bit on @snstafford. A few quick observations while I am writing:
- the volunteers are unnervingly friendly. Ive had more English people smile at me in a few hours than I did in a full year living here. I suspect they were trained to overcome their natural reserve, and are perhaps overdoing it a bit. Its refreshing and encouraging though, and I'm not complaining. There must have been a staff of 100 people at the airport just to facilitate us getting off our plane, getting our luggage, and getting through customs to our bus.
- It is difficult to explain how much gear I was given today by the great capitalists of America. Imagine going to a Nike outlet and taking one of everything. Then go next door to Ralph Lauren and take one of everything there too. Then go get fitted for a suit. Then go to the jewelry store and pick out a watch and a ring. Then go to the drugstore and get a big bag of every male grooming product in the known world. sunglasses. Finally, come back to your room to find a few extra presents waiting for you. All told, two large duffel bags, two backpacks, two suit bags stuffed to the brim with free gear. Totally overwhelming.
-everything: the food, the facilities, the security, seems amazing. This may change in the coming days, but for now it is nice to be blown away.
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