Since you ask... I won't be watching the Olympics. I wish the people of China well, ditto the athletes and everyone else who is enjoying the events. In particular I can understand and appreciate the pride of Chinese people everywhere in their accomplishment. But for me there is too much suffering underneath/behind these Games to take much pleasure in it. So I am doing other things while trying not to rain on anyone's parade.
On a personally celebratory note, however, today the post was exploding with goodies! I received the crystalline emerald gaiwan from Hou De this afternoon, along with a package containing a couple of celadon cups from the delightful Salsero. So now I have to hunt up some inauguratory tea to do them justice. w00t!
Aug 8th, '08, 22:53
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Touche, Master Pentox. Or should I say touCHA.Pentox wrote:Aren't you seeing the opening ceremonies prerecorded?Chip wrote: Seeing China put on a show for the entire world to see. I cannot help but wonder if I am watching a part of world history happening live.
I will blame it on the Long Jing. I do not remember the caffeine kick of this tea.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Aug 9th, '08, 02:07
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I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the opening ceremonies.
Perhaps what was most impressive was the humanity of it. 15,000 Chinese actively particpated in the festivities. 2000 drummers at the beginning set the stage for the evening.
No, China is not perfect, but for more than 1.3 billion Chinese citizens, it was a night to be proud and to share with the world another side of China we do not see.
It is for them that I am happy. The next 17 days we look into a China that for much of our lives was mostly closed to us. China will be more fully exposed to the world than they ever have been. Maybe this will be a new beginning, maybe it will be more of the same past. Time will tell as the Olympics unfold to a world wide audience
Tonight as I raised up my Chinese teacup filled with Chinese Long Jing, it was more than simply tea, I was included in their celebration.
Perhaps what was most impressive was the humanity of it. 15,000 Chinese actively particpated in the festivities. 2000 drummers at the beginning set the stage for the evening.
No, China is not perfect, but for more than 1.3 billion Chinese citizens, it was a night to be proud and to share with the world another side of China we do not see.
It is for them that I am happy. The next 17 days we look into a China that for much of our lives was mostly closed to us. China will be more fully exposed to the world than they ever have been. Maybe this will be a new beginning, maybe it will be more of the same past. Time will tell as the Olympics unfold to a world wide audience
Tonight as I raised up my Chinese teacup filled with Chinese Long Jing, it was more than simply tea, I was included in their celebration.
Chip wrote:2000 drummers at the beginning set the stage for the evening.
I hope there's a replay, too. I was putting kids to bed & didn't come in until the calligraphy dancers (I liked those, too!) so I missed the drummers & little boy.RussianSoul wrote:My favorite parts were the calligraphy dance and the little boy the earthquake survivor. But really all of it was just fantastic. I hope there will be a replay because DH missed the calligraphy part.
We ended up letting DD stay up late & watch since it really was a part of history. Once the parade of nations started, she went to bed & we watched something else.
