Some people are way too excited about the Olympics, like this guy....
The countdown clocks have been counting down for years. If you walk into any store in Beijing and the surrounding areas, you are likely to hear the song "Beijing Welcomes You," the song of the Olympics. I could sing you the whole thing in Chinese I have heard it so many times. After much anticipation, years of preparation, weeks of media coverage (some good and some not so good), the 2008 Beijing Olympics have arrived. Pollution, protests, and politics have surrounded these Olympic games, and it is exciting to be right here when it is all happening. Two Sundays ago was the clearest day Beijing has seen in years. Today, it is quite smoggy and of much concern to athletes and spectators here.
In case you were unaware, today is 8/8/08.
8 is a lucky number to to the Chinese, therefore double 8's mean "Double Luck" so today is a very special and lucky day. 8 is lucky in China mainly because of the word for the number 8. It is pronounced "ba" in Chinese and sounds like the word for prosperity, which is pronounced "fa". The Chinese have to pay extra to have the number 8 on their license plates and phone numbers. 888 is to the Chinese as 777 is to the Americans and how we associate getting rich with these numbers.
So obviously, it would only make sense that the games would start at 8:08 PM. 7:08 AM for most of you reading this, but you can always watch them on TV!
With all this talk about the number 8, I must point out that interestingly enough, 888 is "Jesus" in the Greek.
I have been fortunate to witness the excitement of the Chinese and the countdown clocks throughout the years here in Beijing throughout my travels...
The countdown clock in 2005. 1,191 days to go.
Me and the clock at the zoo last year. 356 days to go.
It's almost here!!!! 1 more day!
So as we watch these games with excitement and joy, may these games do in China what they did for Seoul, Korea in 1988, and change the nation forever, not just temporarily while the world is watching.
2 comments:
Did you take the picture of the 1 day left sign? Let us see any new olympic pics if you get anywhere near there. Take Care! Mom
Tabitha,
The Olympics have been awesome! I am surprised at the smog. It did not seem that bad when we were there, except for the one day we did the Great Wall! I love the info abut Josiah--he is a cutie...keep up doing your great work. I know God is smiling down on you everyday!
Love,
Eve
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