Getting into the Water Cube started with a five-minute walk from the street (the Olympic Park was not finished yet and was not open to the public). Then we had to go through a metal detector and security inspection just like at the airport. We were not allowed to bring in food or water, big flags, lighters and cigarettes, or any large banners with writing on them.  The minute we got into the Water Cube, we all received text messages from the Water Cube about how to behave inside (no spitting, littering, being quiet during the competition and don't let your kids run around).
 
The seats were quite nice, and as you scanned the scene you could see how much work was being put into the making of this venue. Once the competition started, everyone sat down and was quiet. At first, the scoreboard was having "technical difficulties," but the problems were soon ironed out. There were some very amazing and complex dives, and in the third round, the two Chinese divers took the lead, with an American diver coming in fourth.  I learned that there are little water streams sending ripples into the pool during the competition so that the divers can see the surface of the water better.
 
After the event finished, we got to talk to the U.S. Diving Team, and they gave us U.S. Diving Team Pins. I also got autographs from three of the team's divers, one of who was Laura Wilkinson, who won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics!
 
Next up: The Olympic Torch and Relay