I watched the opening ceremonies for the Olympics last night. It was very beautiful, but I kept thinking of how many people had been forced out of the little homes they had to make way for the Olympic stadium. I love the architecture, and I especially like the nickname, birds nest. I know fireworks are dirt cheap there, but I kept wondering how many meals that money could have bought. On the other hand, it was a great employment opportunity for many of the construction workers, and people who got jobs working there during the Olympics. If the air had not been polluted already, all the smoke from the fireworks certainly made it so.
I was proud of how average citizens helped to clear the algae from the lake where the sailing events will be. I'm not sure many Americans would take the time, or be willing to wrangle with all those strands. I'm sure it didn't smell that great, either. I hope it's made into animal feed or fertilizer, or something useful.
I know the Olympics is supposed to be about sportsmanship, and not about politics, but I wish the Olympic committee had been more forceful about China's abysmal human rights record. I wish Tibet could just be left alone. I doubt that will ever happen, but one can dream.
The only reason I would want to go to China would be to see the Great Wall. It was the topic of one of the short stories I used when I tutored. Otherwise, a noisy, crowded city is not my idea of a good vacation.
Have a lovely day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DnUxLISFcA
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Shelly, I had some reactions to the Opening Ceremonies that were similar to yours. I keep hearing people saying it was the most specatacular, beautiful event they've ever witnessed, etc. And I guess it was... a very sweaty HOT beautiful event full of overworked people who can only have one baby, and it *better* be a boy!! But I'm enjoying the events now... speaking of which, I think it's on! :)
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