News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

BEIJING — Here's what it's like to not be in the U.S. but still be treated like a spoiled American halfway across the world.

Every time I ride the media shuttle for the drive through the city to whatever Olympic venue, the media shuttle will pass maybe 10 Beijing city busses on a typical 30-minute trek.

And every time we pass a regular bus, I look over at the people in the bus and the people look back at me. They see me sitting in a near empty bus and I see them shoved in like sardines, practically hanging out of the windows.

The media shuttles are highly conspicuous, too, traveling in a special restricted lane, zooming past, and lapping the city busses at twice their speed.

I keep waiting for someone to flip me off. I wouldn't blame them. I'm starting to feel guilty.

I think tomorrow I'm going to make a sign that says thank you in Mandarin and just hold it up when they stare.