A look at London: Week one

I made a list, and, literally, checked it twice. Right before I sped off to the Columbus airport last Saturday to begin my three-week journey to London, England, all I could hope was that my suitcase would zip shut. And it did, but not for long. Before I could even make it past customs, my bag was unzipped and my clothes sprawled out on the floor of the airport check-in point. Conveniently enough, my luggage was ten pounds heavier than the legal weight limit. I won’t go into what that number is, but I will say mortified doesn’t even come close to how I felt as I emptied what I swore I couldn’t do without in front of an impatient line of people behind me. I was never a light packer.

View of London Bridge as the city prepares for the 2012 Olympics. 

Besides that, and the occasional diversion to the wrong terminal (I was never really good with directions, either), I made it across the sea and to Heathrow airport in the heart of London with ease. I was relieved to see the familiar and fatigued faces of my Ohio University classmates waiting just beyond the baggage claim, yelling, “Cheerio!” as I rolled my suitcase over. This was it — the start of what I can already call an unforgettable and life-changing experience.

Although getting to England was a cinch, within the first week of being here, I  found that adjusting to the English lifestyle wasn’t as easy as trading in my coffee mug for a cup of tea. Who am I kidding? Even within the first couple hours, I was almost clipped by a bus in London driving on the LEFT side of the road, realized the travelers checks I bought in the States were a thing of the past and blew out my only electrical converter. Word to the wise, leave all your hair products at home; they might be the reason your suitcase weighs so much.

The narrow roads, the pound system, the voice in the train system calling out to “mind the gap,” and the five-hour time difference all contributed to the deer-in-the-headlights look I wore on my face all week, but I wouldn’t give up my temporary home for anything. The city is absolutely stunning, buzzing with anticipation and high energy as the 2012 Summer Olympic Games round the corner. Already in the first week, we were able to visit the historic cities of Brighton, Oxford and Bath, tour Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Winston Churchill, if you aren’t familiar with your ancient palaces) and take a trip to Stonehenge.

By now, the jet lag has worn off and the excitement has set in. With my newfound knowledge and the opening ceremony taking off this weekend, I’m prepared to do what I came here for. You may just have to remind me to look both ways before crossing the street. Let the games begin!

BMX Cyclist Takes Unusual Route to 2012 Games

By Jacob Corrigan

At the London 2012 Games

London, England - BMX Cyclist Brooke Crain hasn’t exactly taken the most direct path to the Olympics. But she is an Olympian, regardless.

Just days after a crash that severely injured teammate Arielle Martin, lacerating her liver, Crain was selected to compete in her place. Crain, the youngest member of the US BMX squad at 19 and a native to Visalia, Ca is excited to be part of the team despite her route.

“This is obviously not the way I wanted to make the team, but at the same time, I am part of the team,” said Crain. “I am moving forward and going to do the best job to represent Arielle and my country. It is exciting and a dream come true to me. Just to be able to say I have been to the Olympics and been an Olympian is just unreal.”

Photo by Olivia Arbogast. Brooke Crain speaks to media on Sunday afternoon.

Crain found out she was headed to the Olympics just two days before the team left last Wednesday. The team purposely came late because of the long wait until their competition after the Opening Ceremony. Martin’s 27th birthday was on Monday, the day that Crain found out she would join the team, making it even tougher.

“I think the day it happened, it looked pretty bad. We had our moment for her that day and the following days after we found out what happened,” said Cyclist David Herrman. “But since we have boarded the plane, I have tried to put that in the back of my head. I do feel bad for her. She was ready to compete, and this happened and it is unfortunate, but I am here to race.”

With such a short time to prepare for her race, questions have come up as to whether Crain will be mentally ready for the games, especially at such a young age.

“I know for a fact that not knowing until a couple of days ago has played into her favor,” said Head Coach John Herrera. “ I trained her as if she was going to be here.”

Even with the loss of Arielle, Brooke remains excited about the chance to compete at the Olympics.

Brooke’s only communication with Arielle has been through a birthday card she sent her, with Justin Beiber on it.

“She always jokes about how much I love Justin Beiber, so I thought it would make her laugh,” she said.

Crain is set race on Wednesday evening in London and said she is prepared.

“I have had a clear mind,” she said. “Going in it’s whatever happens, happens. I am just going for the experience. So I haven’t been worried or stressing about it. I haven’t had any time to do that.”