An Olympic Wrap Up From the WRAL Team – Capitol Broadcasting Company

2018 Winter Olympics — From WRAL-TV’s Richard Adkins: These type trips are fun, but they are a lot of work. While I post pictures of the great parts of the adventure, what you don’t see is the long work hours, the 4:30am bus rides, the wait in the cold for the bus, the biting wind and all the long walks carrying all the TV gear to get from one venue to another. The constant language barrier and the logistic nightmares. Working this long, this close, with any coworker can be trying. But I can’t imagine being part of a better team. (l to r: Jamie Munden, Kathryn Brown, David Crabtree & Richard Adkins)

The WRAL-TV “Olympians” are now back on U.S. soil but as their time in South Korea wound down last week, the crew shared some final amazing thoughts and pictures. In the closing days of the 2018 Winter Olympics, WRAL-TV News Photojournalists Richard Adkins and Jamie Munden took some time to walk and wander and take in the beyond-the-Games flavors and sights.

“After we got done with our live shot, tearing down our workspace and getting our gear back to the apartment Richard Adkins and I went exploring,” explained Munden one of their final days. “We headed to Anmok Beach which is known for ‘Coffee Street.’ It has at least forty coffee houses. It all started with a couple machines that dropped the cup and then your java. They even have a festival for it. So we explored there and then went to Gangneung Jungang Market. At the market they sell clothing, fish, vegetables and meats. It’s a neat place with lots to see. We definitely saw two vastly different areas of Gangneung today.”

They continued their adventures in eatin gin South Korea.

“We went back to our ‘Cheers’ place where we are at least in our mind becoming regulars,” posted Munden on their last Sunday in Korea.

The photogs took a walk to stretch after a long editing session.

“Lots to see when you get away from Olympic Park,” said Munden.

Adkins also loved visiting the shore.

“One last trip to the coast today, then a swing by the Market in Gangneung,” he said. “We down to the Fish Market, wishing I knew more about and had the time and facilities to try some of this. Mad thanks to Jamie Munden for being willing to walk around and explore before we leave the country.”

The trip threw the WRAL teams into the midst of other media, commentators and athletes. Munden got to meet a few news and photography idols he posted about on Facebook. And the team snapped many photos with athletes and their families.

And before they knew it, the 2018 Winter Olympics were over, Closing Ceremonies done, and it was time to head home.

Crabtree shared his thoughts as they prepared to leave.

One of the few Korean words I actually learned is to say goodbye. That’s odd for me because goodbyes are always hard. I won’t have trouble bidding adieu to my alarm sounding at 4:00am, waiting on the bus in the cold darkness, working 15 hours days and sleeping on a mattress that I’m confident was made in the town of Bedrock for Fred and Wilma Flintsone.

What I will miss is the camaraderie of working with the best road crew in the business! Kathryn Brown, Richard Adkins and Jamie Munden have done the work of twice as many and they’ve made me look good.

I will miss the games and the excitement they produce.

Most of all I will miss the South Korean people.

Perhaps Adkins summed it up best:

These type trips are fun, but they are a lot of work. While I post pictures of the great parts of the adventure, what you don’t see is the long work hours, the 4:30am bus rides, the wait in the cold for the bus, the biting wind and all the long walks carrying all the TV gear to get from one venue to another. The constant language barrier and the logistic nightmares.

Working this long, this close, with any coworker can be trying.

But I can’t imagine being part of a better team. My tripod has logged more miles on the Crabber’s shoulder in the past few weeks that it did in my car the last few months. Kathryn turns on the TV magic every time she steps in front of the lens. Jamie is a monster, staying late to get post game sound from athletes and keeping us all between lines when it come to sports knowledge.

All this without a raised voice or cross word

As we wrap up here in Korea, just want to say it’s been an excellent adventure. From the DMZ to Fire Art on the beach, so glad I had this opportunity.

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