Frank's Beijing Olympics 2008

Well, guess what? I have a question for you in the IELTS format, please do forgive me if my blog is not interactive yet, I am working on it :-)


Would a Colombian, having lived in China for three years, refuse to attend the Olympic Games if he had the opportunity?

a. Yes, he would.
b. I don't know.
c. Whatever.
d. No, he wouldn't.


For those who chose 'a' or 'b', let me tell you that you don't know me just yet. Those who chose 'c', no offence but you might be too self involved. On the other hand, if you have chosen 'd', you are absolutely right. I cannot overlook this important event, you see, I love sport and we, Colombians, consider the games far too imortant to just say no. Even my adorable mum put it in a very lovely way; 'well, Frank, being in China, it would be such a shame if you don't go to the Olympics' so, as I don't intend to disappoint anyone, I am going there, oh, yes, baby!!! ;-)


So, I will be letting you know how I am doing while I am getting ready to fly to Beijing and go to the games. Do you feel envious? well, don't, I will take you there via some pictures.


But first, let me just show you what I wrote in my everyday's events entrylast month, this concerns the Torch Relay protests:



When will all the hullabaloo about China's Olympics end? April 17th, 2008


'Yes, that's my question this month. Tired I am of the whole thing, protests everywhere: in France, England, Australia, America, etc. The topical subject these days is exactly this: 'The world doesn't want China to hold the Olympics Games', isn't it sad? Are we forgetting that China outdid other bidders with equal strong hopes of becoming the Olympic country and won the right to hold the 'friendly' games in 2008? So, shouldn't these protests on human rights be focused on the Olympic Committee's decision instead? or why did you have to wait for this moment when the Asian country is preparing itself to welcome the world to do this? It seems to me that The Olympic Committee is a well organised association with very intelligent members who can respond to all the questions and accusations you have.


It is true, everybody has the right to express their opinion and many of you did in many ways, not only has the pride of China suffered but also the Olympic torch has been tainted as a consequence. To be honest, I think we should draw a line somewhere? Some governments are talking of even boycotting the Olympic Games here in Beijing, many people are ready to come and spoil the event, but in that case, I reckon you won't be protesting against China but the Olympic Games themselves. Enough of this, yes, China has its problems, yes, 5,000 years of history will mould any country but do believe me, the government are doing what they can to make things right. It will take time, though, let's be fair and give them a chance to adapt! The world has made their points clear and yes, the Chinese heard it, so let's give them some time to sort problems out.


I suppose there's also been lots of misinformation going on about China. Many people still think that China is living in the old system of an Emperor in a forbidden city. The expatriates living here can prove you wrong. Chinese people are getting ready to embrace the world, Chinese people are far too busy to be dealing with protests elsewhere, they are all hardworkers trying to succeed in this rat race. It is not easy to do it when you live in an overpopulated country, it is not easy to succeed when job opportunities are so limited, and yet, they are trying and believe me, by their look, they seem to be happy.


Last but not least, I think sabotage and condemnation were not the values Pierre de Coubertin wanted to inspire in all of us. I am sure everybody will love the opening ceremony, I am sure everybody will admire the perfectionism of the Chinese, I'm sure the athletes will feel so safe in such a peaceful environment. So, it is time to stop, the world heard you and if you want to protest about human rights, please think of other ways to make yourself heard, do not use the Olympics, this is friendship games and fun not war.'



Well, probably you do not agree with me, but I was a bit too annoyed with so many protests going on around the world that I thought we were missing the point. I do not want to think that we do not want the Olympics any more or that the excitement of the games is fading, what a shame!


Anyway, my own Olympic flame hasn't extinguished, on the contrary, I am most excited specially when I managed to get one ticket for one of the competitions. Yeah, I did! let me tell you it was so difficult as there were too many people trying to compete for those tickets, but hey, I got my own gold ticket medal:-) you see, the procedures for the purchase depended on your luck as they sort of drew lots. I remember so many times going online on the second sales round and then. after some crashes and 1,235 annoying messages of 'please, try again later, we are working on it', my excitement for the games did not pay off. Fortunately, I did not get discouraged, after trying 25 times on a third round and applying the principle 'once bitten, twice perseverant', I finally succeeded.


But even going and pick up the tickets was still kind of a nightmare. You have to go all the way to Gongbei on the border to Macau, but even so, sometimes there were still too many crashes on the net that they were not able to print the tickets. On a lovely Tuesday morning, the problem was solved and I am now holding the ticket, it's waiting to be used, and you know what? I have it there, hidden in one of the agendas that my lovely students gave me last year, hehehe.




What a stunning Open Ceremony:

WELL DONE CHINA!!!


I hope you loved the Opening Ceremony just as I did, I told you before, these Chinese would pull it through in such a way that even the next Olympics hosts, Londoners, will have 4 years to think how to beat them. And personally, I don't think this ceremony can find an equal, when China decides to use as the main highlight their history, everything: the performances, the movements, the attire, everything becomes synonymous with perfection.


Now, to give you an update, I find myself relaxing and following most of the matches on TV, China is currently getting better and better in many disciplines, just yesterday they got 4 gold medals, awesome, but I don't think they will manage to beat their biggest contender, the US. I cannot wait to see the Women's Olympics finals, that will be unforgettable, I hope Zhan Fei will be able to excel in spite of her latest weight problems, all the best to you, Zhan. I have spent the last four hours, going through different videos of the Olympics gymnsatic finals in Atlanta, wow, that was amazing.


In the meantime, some cities continue to do their best to welcome foreigners, which is tough given the terrorist threats. I thoroughly agree with the authorities in the way they are controlling everything that comes into China right now. Neither Chinese nor foreigners want to experience any more incidents like the one happening two days ago. Let's hope that the world takes this only as an independent case and not as a country's demonstration, let me reassure you, China treats foreigners nicely and I am just an example of it. Thanks China!!!


I happened to be on the last couple of days in Macau and I was there when China was releasing the new Olympics stamps to be sold at the post offices. You can imagine the thrill experienced in the city, where people were lining up since the early hours of the morning, I took some photos to prove it.


The city has put on some shows related to the Olympics which are worth seeing, the famous Cirque du Soleil is there, lion and Portuguese dance performances are programmed near the St Paul's ruins where you can also see a beautiful decoration with the mascots of the Olympics. ome concerts greeting the games, in which local school bands as well as the Macau Youth Symphony will be performing the Olympic selected themes. To help people overcome the language problems during the Olympics, youngsters with perfect Chinese, Cantonese and English speaking skills are ready to talk to you whenever you need them, be it a taxy or find your whereabouts.


They are also displaying some nice sculptures related to the Olympics, if you happen to be in Macau, please go and see them, you won't be disappointed.


16th- August

The experience of the Olympics is unique, after having watched one game, I got more tickets, I cannot believe it, thanks China and thanks Hungary!!! Tomorrow, I'll be watching four more games and I have to tell you, the craze in Beijing is really something, everywhere you go, you meet, athletes, coaches, reporters, volunteers, this is superb, and I am here, I'll put up photos later.

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