Follow That Bus!

I have access to the players, beyond even what I had hoped for. I have gotten to know them as individuals, been able to meet some of their families and have had the opportunity to see how they interact. It has truly been an honor to be here with them. Having said that my work and travels are independent of the team.


Cat Whitehill let me know about the planned shopping trip this afternoon; the girls were taking the team bus to shop for pearls and purses. Yes, more pearls. Actually, it was different pearls and different girls. It seemed liked a simple plan, I arrived at the team hotel on schedule. I would get a taxi to follow the team bus. Not wanting to take the chance with Shanghai traffic, I thought it would be easy enough, with the help of the bellman, for my driver to find out where the team driver was going and meet them. But sometimes simple is not quite so simple.

My driver, who’s English vocabulary was limited to ‘OK’ got out to talk to the team driver. An argument ensued. My driver got back in the taxi and shrugged his shoulders. We drove about another two blocks, my driver rushed out of the car – another argument.

With little hope of cooperation, we followed the bus! Perhaps we were chasing the bus. In spite of Shanghai local and freeway traffic, we were never more than two car-lengths behind the bus. There was never a spot big enough for another car to get in between the taxi and the bus. Twenty-five minutes later, breathing hard, and my eyes wide open we arrived, right behind the bus. In an uncustomary manner, I tipped my driver, thanked him and went in with the girls.

Later Mark Pharris, the team security officer, told me that he was trying to convey to their driver that I was supposed to be following them and that he shouldn’t be concerned. Not wanting to put me through that again, Mark asked if I wanted to join them on the bus for the return trip. Thank you Mark!

Shopping was, well it was shopping. What do these girls as World-Class athletes do when the go shopping do? Well it’s purses, pearls, bargaining, bargains and smiles.



Back at the hotel, I wandered up to the second floor, which has been the primary afternoon play area for Rylie Rampone, arguably the cutest most photogenic non-member of the US team. Today was no exception with more smile from Rylie and Christie.