Sochi Olympics

The 2014 Winter Olympics are in action right this moment. Athletes, being watched globally are in competition to get that gold medal that every athlete wants and to add to the medal counts of each country present. Thousands of spectators and athletes are all in Sochi, Russia where they are being held this year.  Although what we see on the tv can make it seem like there are no major issues in Sochi, in reality there are. The conditions of these Olympics are the worst that any athlete who has competed in the Olympics, either summer or winter have experienced so far. Despite the fact that Russia has spent more than 51 millions dollars alone in preparation, many are asking the question of where did all the money go?  When many arrived the hotels were not ready and even after they were completed the rooms were bare and nothing seemed to be completely finished. Everyone was told "do not to use the water on their face because it contained something very dangerous" and posters in the bathroom stating "do not flush toilet paper down the toilet! Put it in the bin provided" (daily news). These are just a few examples of how poor the conditions are in Sochi. Also once rooms seemed to be completed they were missing things like door handles or light bulbs or shower curtains, all things that you would think we already be in place in a hotel room were not (Daily news). Despite all the complaints about the unpreparedness of the Russian Olympic Games, the president of the international Olympic committee, Thomas Bach thinks that the athletes have wonderful conditions and the Olympic villages are a success (voice). He blames the unpreparedness on the heavy rains they had a few days prior saying the it led to the delay in the schedule.

Sources:
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_02/Sochi-offers-wonderful-conditions-for-athletes-IOC-head-Thomas-Bach-3402/

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics/media-reports-sochiproblems-olympic-village-article-1.1602530

California's History

In chapter 19, it explains California's history and the experiences the people went through back then when Mexico had control compaing it to similar experiences people are going through during the time in this chater.  He explains how people would pack up and leave their land to go and have to find a new job while still trying to feed their families and keep everyone alive. That's the same situation that the Joad's family is experiencing. They were forced off their land and left to go to California in hopes of finding any work. On their journey they are in constant wonder of what they will find when they get to California and what work they will get to support the family and start a new life. In chapter 19, he shared experiences of people during the time Mexico had control. The people were hungry and weak, just like they are now traveling. Jobs were also hard to come by as so many people all tried to get the same job due to the fact that there was not very many to begin with and also so many needed jobs. Steinbeck compares the two experiences and situations that both groups of people went through. He uses details and imagery to compare the two situations.