The distribution procedure for this stuff was very organized, just like everything else actually.  Before entering the warehouse like room, I picked up a shopping cart. Once inside, I checked in and received a clipboard with a checklist of specific items.  Then, I went station to station (table to table) to pick out the right sized clothing.  The key was to wear something that allowed you to try stuff on as you moved along.  I wore a Skins top and bottom base layer which made it easy for me to do this.  Sometimes, they didn't have a correct size, or they didn't have any small stuff left.  When that happened, I put the stuff aside for alterations.  The stations included hats, T-shirts, polos, podium track suits, shorts, the opening and closing ceremony outfits, socks and shoes.  I also received a phone with a bunch of prepaid minutes to use while in China. Once my shopping cart was full, I headed to the check outline.  There, one friendly person scanned each item at a cash register, just like at the market, while another neatly placed (or bagged) all of the items into my two new luggage bags.  These were tagged with my name and sport and taken to a waiting area for me to pick up once I finished. 

  The next step was a trip to the alterations room.  I had 5 pieces of clothing… pants, pants, shorts, shorts, and pants… to be downsized.  I was the "5 item – 2 hanger girl."  I guess I was the first to have such issues.  Probably because by the time I was processed the number of S items available was dwindling. Anyway, the back of the alteration room had 4 or 5 guys sitting at sewing machines frantically stitching away.  In the middle of the room, another man was both showing us how to correctly wear the opening ceremonies attire and pinning or marking the items that needed alteration.  This man was a ninja man.  He was super fast with his hands!!!  He marked the leg length on my pants without me even knowing it.  Once all of my items were pinned, I turned them in to the ladies at the desk who tagged them with a name and number and asked me to come back in the evening to pick them up.

After the alteration room, I ventured into the Bank of America/Visa room where I picked up a prepaid debit card to cover any incidentals that I might incur while traveling.  (Nice.)  Then it was into the commemorative leather jacket fitting room, the photo room to get an individual and team (women's road cycling) photo, the Olympic team ring sizing room, and finally the medical room where I filled out a medical history form.  The total process only took a few hours.

Once I was finished, I picked up my gear and headed back to my dorm room.  I only had an hour and a half to figure out what I was going to take to Beijing, and what I was going to ship home.  I unpacked everything, sorted out some things to take, repacked a bag for Beijing and another bag to ship, and then headed down to "shipping" where my bag was boxed and labeled and is already headed home via UPS. 

The entire day was very organized.  When I landed, Dean was waiting for me at baggage claim where he helped me pick up my equipment and get me onto one of the USOC vans headed for San Jose.  Once at our San Jose State base, check in was easy, the processing went smooth, and dinner was relaxed.  Obviously, these guys are ready to handle a large number of athletes in a fast, efficient, and first class manner. 

Sunday, I travel from San Francisco to Beijing.  I am hoping to do more than just seeing my bike once we land.  After two days without it, and a 12.5 hour flight, I will be looking forward to turning some circles.  I am sure the entry process to China and then the village will take some time, though, so if I only see it again… I only see it.  Tuesday, I will start my final prep for the big day.

I will try to check in frequently as I go.  Keep checking back.