London 2012 Games Recapped

The London 2012 Olympic Games are over. The Visa Vip Lounge is closed. The children will soon be home. A recap is in order.

The trip started with a automobile ride to Newark, NJ airport. There was a savings of about $200 over leaving from Philadelphia, PA on BA. Upon reflection, my son didn't think the savings was worth the effort.

Tickets to the last individual event for Michael Phelps which were won in a raffle at the lounge by family who had tickets but wanted the Michael Phelps autographed swim caps that my children won at raffle. A trade was negotiated.

The Visa VIP Lounge was a terrific resource for tickets to events at the games,

Nadia Comaneci and Bart Connor

meeting past Olympic medal winners

Photo:VisaVipLounge.com

and dinners by Iron Chef Morimoto.

Team USA Men's Volleyball

They did actually purchase some event tickets.

Women's Football match Team GB vs. Brazil

Women's Football Final Match USA vs Japan

They made friends with

Aussies

Spaniards

South Africans

Irish

Japanese and Americans in Zentais

Other sparkly Americans

and Wenlocks

Because my eldest tried out as a dancer for the opening ceremonies, and will be performing at the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics, they attended a practice session of the opening Olympic ceremonies on July 25th.

They ate at the largest McDonald's restaurant in the world, if only a temporary structure.

They tried to keep dry

and warm

and one of them was awakened at the end of the bus line, in Chingford, several times in the wee hours the morning.

They did a bit of tourist sightseeing. 

Victoria and Albert Museum

Hampton Court Palace

Westminster and London Eye

Went to the theatre

and saw a few musicals.

They also visited the Globe Theatre to see Henry V.

They leave for Heathrow airport on Wednesday. My son is hoping to get bumped off his scheduled BA flight to Newark. If bumped he will opt for a cash payment of around $700. Not a bad gig, if you are flexible with time. $700 isn't a bad day's pay.

I am sure there will be many lasting memories of this trip to London for the 2012 Olympic Games. I hear they are already making plans for Rio.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Visa Lounge - More Athletes

My children start each day, during the London 2012 Olympics, with free breakfast at the Visa lounge. It isn't because the breakfasts are personally made by Iron Chef Morimoto. At least I don't think they are. They are good just not the main reason to start at the Visa lounge. My children start their day there because each day there is a raffle for Olympic event tickets. Another reason is that each day there is a different American Olympic athlete at the lounge.

Over the last two days they met Summer Sanders

and Jenny Thompson

and won two swim caps autographed by Michael Phelps. Which they traded for event tickets.

Thank you Visa!


©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

London 2012 Chase/Visa Lounge - Carl Lewis

My children are getting into the swing of the lounge. Here are all of them and my son-in-law with Carl Lewis. My son-in-law, wearing the Team Great Britain shirt, was only non-US American in the lounge.

We are a tolerant people.


©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

My Children Are In London During the Olympics

I drove my youngest two children to Newark Airport Monday, 23 July. They are going to visit their elder sister in London while the Olympic games are in town. I am not what you might call vaguely interested in sports. But, I wouldn't mind being on my way to London.

They will stay with their sister and her husband in Hackney Wick. Their apartment is just across the river Lea from the Olympic Village. The olympic park can't be more than 100 yards from their apartment window.

The closest Overland station is a very short walk from their apartment complex. Hackney Wick station is the last station before Stratford station, the prime olympic gateway.


The four of them, my children and my son-in-law have tickets to only one olympic event, ladies soccer. I don't even know which teams will be on the field. I am not very interested in sports.


They do have six dinner reservations at the Chase/Visa lounge, however. Chase opened a lounge at 116 Pall Mall in London's West End. At the lounge, Iron Chef Morimotto and his crew will be preparing dinner for Chase/Visa card holders. Each card holder may make two reservations for six people at each sitting. Each of my three children has a Chase/Visa card. That means each child has reservations for six people at two sittings. The kicker is that everything, food and drink, is free in the lounge.


Chase is also inviting olympic athletes to the lounge. I hope my children took their collection of Wheaties boxes to be signed by the likes of swimmers Jenny Thompson, Gary Hall, Jr, and Summer Sanders, and gymnasts Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner and Kerri Strug. 


If I were a sports fan I know I would be thrilled with a chance to be in the same room as these athletes. Since I am not, I'd be there everyday for the free free and drink. Of course, I would have my camera.


©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved