You are HERE

There is a huge wooden globe in the middle of the lobby of the team hotel and Christie Rampone took a few seconds before practice to show the fans out there exactly where the U.S. team is based for its first two matches. (Editor's Note: It's once of the nicest globes we've ever seen). Qinhuangdao is in the northeastern part of the Hebei Province, almost directly east of Beijing, and according to local tourist information, it has been honorably awarded for titles in China for "the Hygienic City, the Best Investment Environment City, the Superior City for Tourism, the State-leveled Garden City, the National Model City of Greening, one of the top 50 Cities of Best Urban Life Quality" and of course has been honored with hosting 12 soccer matches of the 2008 Olympics. It's also a vacation destination for many Chinese as it offers beaches and warm water. There were quite a few Chinese out on the beach this weekend. It's not Ipanema, but it is pretty nice.