Game Still On!

Ok, so I didn't get to post first thing this morning, but have found some time now and the internet connection is up and running!.... back to the tale boys and girls.  Now where was I?  Oh yes.  Just made it and was being made fun of because it looked like I wet my pants.  I am so charming.  Why still single??? (insert pondering here).  

I digress.  I am back.  Like I said, the Opening Ceremony was amazing.  All of the crap that we had been through with work (definitely some logistical and operational challenges over here) was all of a sudden worth it.  For four hours I was not working and could just sit back and enjoy as a spectator and remember why we were all here.... (insert melodramatic violin score here...). For once, I am at a loss for words (so says the 800 word paragraph I just wrote).  Here are some pics of the Opening Ceremony.  I was at the very back and I have to give a shout out to my new camera. I think the photos came out pretty well considering I was in the nosebleeds.  

Opening sequence of drummers.  I think all of China performed in the Opening Ceremony.  The cast was STAGGERING.  Hearing all of these people drumming in unison sent shivers down my back... or that could just have been sweat evaporating.  We will never know.

This scroll and painting were integral to the entire show. This painting was added to throughout until it finally became the stage floor. It was added by many different people, including children, to symbolize the continuity of history and how it is all interconnected. It was very impressive!

The scroll and many traditionally clad Chinese warriors.

Representation of the printing blocks.  What we learned at Opening was that the Chinese really like writing and paper!  Each block was controlled by a person.  It was spectacular to watch.

The costumes were very ornate and the Ceremony, elegant.  It was as if we were watching a moving painting.  And the sense of intimacy in that huge stadium was awe inspiring... 

This represented China's naval history- and all the oars formed images.

Look at all the pretty colours!

The glowing suits would change colour as different formations happened.

The glowing men formed the Bird's Nest - the stadium that we were sitting in.  If you look closely you will see they are standing on top of one another.  Cirque du Soleil would have been proud.

I was thoroughly enjoying the Ceremony, but there was one problem.  I was by myself surrounded by many Chinese people that I did not know.  This is an occupational hazard - when working the games, if offered a ticket, it is usually a 'leftover' and you could be plopped anywhere in the stadium and have no say who you sit beside.  Heck I was just thankful to be there!  All of a sudden I got a text.  It was Crystal, one of my local staff, asking me where I was. She told me that she was in the "tooth bleed" section.  It took a second to register, but Amy and I had just taught the girls the English expression "nose bleed seats"!  Too cute!   It turned out that she was 10 rows behind me in the same section!  I waved to her and she came down and sat in the vacant chair beside me.  It was a good feeling to share this experience with someone that I knew!  It didn't stop there, however, and in 10 minutes Crystal and I were joined by Tammy (Las Vegas) and Matt (Chicago).  We were now a party of 4.  It was an awesome coincidence.  

Crystal and I find each other. 

I wore our Country proudly... even if it was soaked through!

Matt and Tammy.  

Sea of faces representing the diversity of the Olympics.

This section of the show was entitled "The Dream" - I think they should have called it "The trip!" It was soo trippy but really cool.

I think this one was pilfered from Lennon and McCartney - Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds anyone?

Matt trying to get relief from the heat with his fan...

Crystal shows him how it is done!

The parade of champions begin... The girls we posed with outside the stadium coming in are down there... I think they are the two on the left!

I waited patiently and the anticipation inside of me was building.  I needed water and to cool down but I would not leave my seat until I saw Canada march into the stadium. The thing was, we could not be certain because the countries did not march in alpha order of any kind.... so I waited, and waited, and waited some more... Then it finally happened.  Right after Ghana Canada came into the stadium (makes perfect sense, no?).  I went nuts!  I was the only Canadian in my section and as soon as I started screaming hundreds of pairs of eyes turned and looked up at the spectacle that was going on above them...  You would have been proud of my asinine behaviour.

Oh Canada!

Me embracing both Canada and China - that peace sign thing is contagious over here!

Once Canada was finished marching, Tammy and I went out for some much needed water and ice cream!  You would have thought that they would have jacked up the prices but I bought 4 waters and 4 ice creams for 30 RMB - a whopping 4 dollars! When we went back to our seats we discovered a miracle of science.  Matt, Tammy and I ate our ice cream, but Crystal, unbeknownst to me, had left to go to the bathroom.  She was gone for over 15 minutes.... what would happen to her ice cream?  I was nervous...

Matt and Tammy indulging.

The strange thing was.... Crystal's ice cream did not melt!  In a 45 degree sauna it did not melt.  Now, for some reason, I have been able to come to terms with rockets that control the weather, but ice cream that does not melt???? That is just wrong.... but oh sooo good.

Johd is dumbfounded.... it just won't melt!

Crystal comes back a day and a half later to enjoy her genetically altered ice cream... mmmmmm plastic.....

Tammy celebrating the entrance of the US Olympic Team

China FINALLY enters the stadium (only 203 teams before them!)  Crystal is ecstatic!

So is the crowd

Their flag bearer was Yao Ming (basketball).  The most touching part was that a little boy from the region where the earthquake hit walked with him.  It was awesome to see.

Once the Parade of Nations was over, it was time for the Olympic Flag and torch.  Here are pics of that.

The final version of the painting from the beginning of the Ceremony

The Olympic Flag

The Olympic Flag (please note the lack of wind... yet the Chinese flag waving proudly)

They had a wind machine on the flags to make sure they blew.... they love to control nature here!

Look carefully... the torch enters the stadium

The torch

The Final Pass Off

The final torch bearer running on the inside of the roof of the stadium.  AWESOME!

I hope you all got to see how the torch was lit.  This Olympic gymnast flew into the air and then ran around the roof of the stadium - a la crouching tiger hidden dragon - and then lit the torch.  It represented the journey and was very touching.  The English major in me appreciated the metaphor and motif.  

A view of the Bird's Nest with the Olympic Flame.  Game On!

While everyone exited Jackie Chan et al came out to sing... who knew Jackie Chan?  Props to you.

Tammy and I took the subway home together - but she had to make one important stop first.  I am starting to fear that my love of Chinese bathroom signs is verging on fetish... they are all so different!

Self pic of Tammy and I after the show... why has nobody told me I have a mutant neck and head? ... Never mind... I am in China - I am sure that someone will come up to me on the street and inform me soon!
Water Cube at night
The throngs depart
The communications tower at night.

Tammy and I took the subway home and it was fine... if you like sardines!  I only had to shove a 12 year old girl once - she was pinning me to a subway pole in a very uncomfortable position.  I don't care if she weighed 87 pounds and was 3 foot 6... she was feisty and deserved it!  I rolled in at 2:00am, with the night's events reeling in my head.  It was truly amazing.  From not thinking I was going, to a crazy cab adventure, to a mad dash and a dripping end, to a beautiful show, to my walk home it sure was one heck of a ride.  Can't wait to see what the rest of the games has in store for me!