Zari-Jane's journey

Zari-Jane Coleman, will be a flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, will be providing Jamaica with regular diary updates on her experience in the coveted role. Today, we present her first diary entry.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Dear Diary,

Despite skipping breakfast and lunch, being very tired in the morning and feeling to miss practice for the first time, I pulled through and walked for 17 minutes. I took the bus alll by myself today! Usually, I go with room-mates Alejandro and Su Min. I read the Hangul on the board which indicates which buses go where and found which numbers take me to Daegu Stadium.

An ajumma (older woman) saw me staring at the board and I guess wondered if I understood and asked me, "Where are you going?" and proudly I said, "(Day goo su ta di um (Daegu Stadium)," and she replied smiling, "Ahh, neh (yes)."

When I finally reached the stadium for practice, I was told KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) would air today's practice live on TV. I also took a lot of pictures today as today was the first they finally put the flags on the flagpoles. Before, they had a white piece of cloth on the flags. I enjoyed holding our flag today. It was fun.

Love, Zari