I arrived at Heathrow late Monday night, and although the sun barely goes down here, was up and on it early to try to get out to the racecourse by afternoon to shoot some pics and have a look around. Getting to the main media center (MPC) took about a half-day, however, as no one in the Olympic Park (heck, no one in London) seemed to know quite where it is, so I got a full walking tour of almost the entire Olympic Park, including nearly every dead end and closed-off walkway - but I'll call it good luck, as it was nearly empty of people; soon enough it will be filled with tens of thousands of people, and a nice walking tour won't be so easy.
My original plan had been to go to the racecourse first thing in the morning, but a couple issues kept me from executing the plan, and it was another piece of good luck, as you can't raise your camera out at the course without an official photo bib, and the bibs are to be had only at the MPC - so I was spared going out to the course only to be turned away. As I arrived at the MPC, which is fronted by ground to ceiling glass windows, inside the very first window I saw UK photographer Peter Spurrier - what are the odds that the first guy you see is another rowing specialist photographer? So overall things are clicking so far - or maybe it's just my optimistic nature to see it that way - it must be because, even a year later, I Feel Love.
No media shuttles to Eton Dorney are in operation yet, so for the Wednesday morning row I am going to hit the ATM and stock up on 20-quid notes to pay a cab driver some Games-time surcharges for a ride to the course, ouch - getting home will be another challenge.
Like most Yanks dropping into London this week, I'm on two nights of very little sleep, so going to try to rack it now; I should have some actual rowing pics tomorrow. Here we go!
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