We in Israel were lucky enough to be able to see the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in real time starting at 3:00 p.m. on Friday local time.
In a word— WOW!!!!!
Having seen another production by Zhang Yimou, I have been telling everyone I know not to miss the opening (and closing!!!) ceremony. I told them it would “knock their socks off.” I was not disappointed.
The Chinese people are clever and creative and intelligent. I am happy that the world is getting to know them better.
And I am hoping that people will want to travel with me to China. I can promise it will be spectacular.
I too thought that the opening program was great, until I read in the LA Times that the participants had to practise 10 to 15 hours per day 7 days a week for 3 months; while they lived in army barracks with no outside contacts. That many were their injuries. And that the men in the “Typeset” boxes were required to wear adult diapers for the 6 hours that they hid in their 40 lb. boxes. That is they were allowed one meal break and diaper change per practise session. OH! and don’t overlook the disappointment of the singers who were replaced because they were not “cute” enough. They were still required to sing, but out of site while others lip-sinctd (sp?)
P.S. We enjoyed your visit.