Finally, after the intense hustling and bustling of the last few years, the 2008 Beijing Olympics have begun. The people of China could not be more excited, nor could they be more emotional.
At work I was able to watch the majority of the opening ceremony with a large group of OMEGA staff and some of our co-workers at the residence.
For anyone who did not get the chance to see the ceremony, I highly suggest that you find it on youtube or something and check it out, because it was an amazing performance. I think that my personal favorite was the dove in the center of the bird's nest stadium made of hundreds of people wearing neon suits with glowlights on them.
I said that many of the Chinese were emotional.....
Sitting beside my co-worker Bonnie Wang during the opening ceremony, I turned to her to say something about one of the performances and saw tears just streaming down her face. She started "laugh-crying", which made even more tears come, and, speaking chinese, she continually remarked about how wonderful the entire display was.
Most of the Chinese at the residence were quiet during the event, watching intently and making quick comments about the entrances of different countries from time to time. The Europeans, however, were a little more boisterous, and one time during the raising of the Olympic flag I actually had to tell some of them to be quiet because the Chinese around us were looking at them as though they were being quite rude.
As each country presented itself, cheers went up from within our crowd depending on different people's nationalities. There were many French, a few Italian and Spanish, British, and of course, Swiss. My friend, Diana, is Ecuadorian, so she was excited to see Ecuador.
I was the sole American in the residence, but I recruited a few people to clap and cheer along with me during the US' procession. However, our cheering turned to "booooos" (jokingly) when President Bush popped up on screen, for he is not exactly the face that anyone wants representing our country at such an important international event as the Olympics. He does not necessarily represent sentiments of international peace....
Anyway, I don't want to get into politics.
At this point, I should just say that I am extremely excited to be here for the 2008 Olympics....it's truly one of the most important gatherings of international representatives, and I am lucky to be right at the heart of it.
Given the amount of problems that still exist in the world, it is nice to know that we can all still come together peacefully for sporting competition.
Let the games begin!
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3 comments:
Dear Ben,
We watched the entire opening ceremony from 7:30 pm to Midnight last night. The opening was such an awesome and beautiful ceremony - the Chinese people conveyed so much - and all the colors, sincere and meaningful messages, and honoring their past philosophers and culture. Also in our newspaper the first person you mentioned you gave a ticket to was Yao Ming. The paper described that Yao Ming was the flag bearer for the Chinese Team. I wasn't sure if it was him that they featured with the 9 year old boy who rescued two people from the earthquake - the young hero, held up in the middle of all the ceremony they were so proud of!
Could you also send us the photo of yourself that was on the first page of the blog and the one that is on there now? We couldn't make a copy of it from the webpage!
Much love,
Grandma
Hi Ben,
This is from Hilary - I can imagine how emotional the Chinese must have been - I think the Olympic ceremonies was such a communication of "welcoming the world" and China's embarkment of an "open China", not only welcoming the rest of the world, but presenting the BEST of their culture as an offering placed so graciously before us all. They were so proud of the true Chinese cultural contributions to civilization - that was so promising and meant so much equally I'm sure to the Chinese and to all peoples across the world. How far China has come from just showing the outside world their military might, from years ago - the military had a small yet very appropriate presence - in raising the Chinese flag. What is most important was looking at their entire history - its great pride in philosophers (Confuscious - can't spell it), which philosophy as you know gives the gift of independent thinking and especially the tranquil, peaceful wish of its modern day culture. Truly, all Chinese are proud of their gorgeous dynastic gowns of incredible silks and beautiful women, and the fabled Chinese symbol of Peace. Its is not every culture that can celebrate that, and I'm sure for many Chinese of this generation, they are witnessing the full acceptance of their cultural, artistic and intellectual brilliance - not always allowed to be expressed publically in past generations. It is a triumph for all nations to see their message of peace, the embracing of all nations as "friends", as is a very Western thought. It was so refreshing to see the Chinese reminding today's culture the power of the smile, a welcome, and a belongingness, when they held up the faces of photos of individuals from across the world. I was so proud our President, Sarcosi and the French Prime Minister were there to embrace China as a friend, despite internal pressures. China is reaching out to all in an era of openness, offering their finest like a flower presented delicately and spectacularly to the world - and every country should embrace this opportunity. I think every Chinese American can be seen with more awe and dignity as well. The key is - it isn't show - it is so sincere. Like the world coming together for Peace. I'm hoping the best for Georgia, and we all felt a pang that Russia was invading Georgia like a shadow in the midst of a global expression of peace and harmony among nations. But, each day's Olympic events is another foothold of peace and harmony. Take it all in Ben! Can't wait till you can interact with the other American's there - they must be "over the moon" with enthusiasm and fascination at it all! Thank you for your beautiful columns. More countries will reach out so peacefully and share their best, I hope! I'm sure the tears of pride in China, touched so many American Chinese, and others of Chinese and Asian descent across the world. There is such empowerment in positive and true self-reflection - it will enable them to move into the future with such energy, and trust in the gifts they will give, and the help and reciprocation they will receive - don't you think? No one needs to define them - they have defined themselves with great pride for each advancement - but they will share so much - as friends. It is enormous - there is always friendships among people, but among nations, it is the work and prayers of so many that accomplishes that!
Love,
Hilary
Grandma and Hilary, if you have personal requests, send me an email, don't write a book about it on the blog. Thanks!
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