If I could describe to you a feeling in the world of the warmest, most sincere, most dignified, respectful, and honored nation right now you probably would have no clue who I am talking about. I had an amazing honor the other night, one of my last nights in mainland China, that will be my most cherished moment in China.
My friends Sarah, Clay, and I were out shopping, as you usually do the night before you leave a city. We were in Fouzghou and were in the tea district because of how well known they are for there fine Green, Earl, and Oulong teas. It was getting to be around 8pm and we were trying to hurry back to the hotel so we could watch the opening of the Olympics. I peeked my head in a tea store of about 15 Chinese sitting in front of a TV. It was about 5 minutes to 8, and they were replaying a lot of the Chinese gold medals won over the last few Olympics. All of a sudden the owner of the tea shop motions for us to come in and we are next sitting with them in this shop as the ceremony starts. Out comes the tea cup after cup after cup. One of the girls brings us chairs. Another girl brings us a table for our tea. One of the men motion to the girls to bring chairs with backs on them instead of stools. More tea. Coffee cake for the tea. And the owner of the shop even comes over to offer us a cigarette. All of this in a matter of 10 mins, and the funny thing is that we haven’t even exchanged names. Just a common interest in the Olympics.
I cannot tell you what an honor it is to be sitting in a Chinese tea house as an invited guest from a foreign country and to be watching the Olympics as they are taking place in the same country less than 4 hours away. It is a mind blowing to watch an owner of a tea house boosting so admiralably about his country (in Chinese mind you) as they put there best foot forward to open up China to the world stage.
By itself, the opening of this years Olympics is amazing, and if you haven’t checked it out or found it on you tube you are truly missing out. The art that is perceived, the 100’s of drummers that take part in the event, the spectacle that is to be had is unbelievable. And here is why I find greater appreciation in this event, then perhaps you overlooked the first time. The pure volume of performers involved in this event is unreal, and the fact that they are all in sync. No one missteps, everyone is on point, and that is why the Chinese are brilliant. I missed it at first, and now I am able to point it out. Just watch the marching that the men do when they are carrying the flag. Or during there tai chi bits, everything happens as one. Perhaps it is a reason my communism works so well, is that it is a well oiled and well tuned machine. They probably spent years working on this routine to make sure that everything happened together.
Seriously, spend the time to check it out. And my favorite moment at the very end was the lighting of the torch. Unbelievable!!!
So as the Olympics ended, we greeted our hosts and thanked them endless for there gratitude. Within a min we were out walking the streets back to our hotel. It didn't matter to them who we were, they were simply honored to have us sit with them. They expected nothing in return for there hospitality. What an amazing night.
My friends Sarah, Clay, and I were out shopping, as you usually do the night before you leave a city. We were in Fouzghou and were in the tea district because of how well known they are for there fine Green, Earl, and Oulong teas. It was getting to be around 8pm and we were trying to hurry back to the hotel so we could watch the opening of the Olympics. I peeked my head in a tea store of about 15 Chinese sitting in front of a TV. It was about 5 minutes to 8, and they were replaying a lot of the Chinese gold medals won over the last few Olympics. All of a sudden the owner of the tea shop motions for us to come in and we are next sitting with them in this shop as the ceremony starts. Out comes the tea cup after cup after cup. One of the girls brings us chairs. Another girl brings us a table for our tea. One of the men motion to the girls to bring chairs with backs on them instead of stools. More tea. Coffee cake for the tea. And the owner of the shop even comes over to offer us a cigarette. All of this in a matter of 10 mins, and the funny thing is that we haven’t even exchanged names. Just a common interest in the Olympics.
I cannot tell you what an honor it is to be sitting in a Chinese tea house as an invited guest from a foreign country and to be watching the Olympics as they are taking place in the same country less than 4 hours away. It is a mind blowing to watch an owner of a tea house boosting so admiralably about his country (in Chinese mind you) as they put there best foot forward to open up China to the world stage.
By itself, the opening of this years Olympics is amazing, and if you haven’t checked it out or found it on you tube you are truly missing out. The art that is perceived, the 100’s of drummers that take part in the event, the spectacle that is to be had is unbelievable. And here is why I find greater appreciation in this event, then perhaps you overlooked the first time. The pure volume of performers involved in this event is unreal, and the fact that they are all in sync. No one missteps, everyone is on point, and that is why the Chinese are brilliant. I missed it at first, and now I am able to point it out. Just watch the marching that the men do when they are carrying the flag. Or during there tai chi bits, everything happens as one. Perhaps it is a reason my communism works so well, is that it is a well oiled and well tuned machine. They probably spent years working on this routine to make sure that everything happened together.
Seriously, spend the time to check it out. And my favorite moment at the very end was the lighting of the torch. Unbelievable!!!
So as the Olympics ended, we greeted our hosts and thanked them endless for there gratitude. Within a min we were out walking the streets back to our hotel. It didn't matter to them who we were, they were simply honored to have us sit with them. They expected nothing in return for there hospitality. What an amazing night.
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