We couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the Olympic spirit than our first day of events. We had a 2pm women’s basketball game to kick off our ridiculously huge schedule of events and it was an awesome day all around.
The venue was great, the game was fun, beers were less than a buck, plus we wore a load of China gear complete with t-shirts, headbands and massive flags and were a hit with the Chinese fans. Inside the stadium we joined along with their cheers and outside, after the game, we were mobbed by camera-toting Chinese people.
We soaked up our newfound celebrity status for about an hour before we were able to make our escape to the train. A huge group of people in mysterious yellow shirts befriended us and posed with us for ages. At the end of the photoshoot a couple of the ladies gave us their souveneir opening ceremony wristbands wihch were only given to people who went to the opening ceremonies. I think. They’re numbered and in demand so for them to give them to us was a big deal. For us it was at least.
Hugs were exchanged, goodbyes said and we wandered off towards the train only to be reunited with them all inside the station. We boarded the train and the singalongs and that’s when the good times began! They were singing some Chinese song with the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ (the New Years song) was a popular favourite as well although nobody really sang any words, it was more about noise making. It was possibly one of the most bizarre and funny experiences of my life and an awesome way to kick off the Olympics.
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