Tourist Alert

If misery loves company, we figured we'd join the crowd after the dismal show of athletic faux pas in yesterday's less than stellar Canadian finish. With tickets in hand, my friend and I jumped a media bus to rided out to the Bronze medal baseball game between Canada and Japan. The actual venue was the highlight. Our media bus shouldered up to the Meditteranian coast for several miles of the venture before crossing off the main road. Upon the recent completion of Athens International Airport the abandoned airport has been utilised for many of the games' venues. The Helliniko Olympic Complex comprises the fencing, basketball, softball, field hockey and other sites along with the baseball stadium. Unfortunately, the game was never really a game. When all is said and done, though, who cares! It's all about atmosphere. We spent a large chunk of the game talking with an architect from London named Rob and people watching-- turns out Japanese athletic fans love to make, excuse me, "be" a spectacle. These guys were in competition for a replacement Olympic mascot. And they danced from the 1st inning on! Olympic baseball in a foreign country, excuse me, international destination, provides culturally relevant music such as Yiorgos Dalaras, Dimitra Galani and, of course, Outkast and Britney Spears. (I guess she loves rock n' roll no matter where you go).

Unfortunately, the game never really became a game. The Japs ousted Canada 11-2. But fun was had by all. We spent the rest of the day working away in the IBC. Sorry to cut this abrupt. The US women's soccer is getting geared up to take on Brasil. Check back for game summary.