The World Stood Still For At Least Half An Hour On The Night Of 8 August 2008

At about 7.30pm of 8 August 2008, I was rushing home to be caught in the jam when everyone was making their way home to witness the fantastic, admirable and spectacular opening of the Beijing Olympics at 8.08pm. The car parks in SS2 were for once left deserted!

I missed all the countdown performances but stayed glued to the big screen in a friend's place where we gathered together with our husbands to watch the greatest magical performance so far ! It was fun watching it with some old time friends as we caught up with some recalls of the good old days of our husbands. For almost half an hour, everyone was mesmerised when China put on a stunning display of pageantry and pyrotechnics to open the 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium called the "Bird's Nest" in Beijing.The world practically stood still just to watch this magnificent performance directed by the acclaimed Chinese Movie Director Zhang Yimou.

This dramatic opening ceremony featured a cast of thousands . The ceremony started with the entry of a young pigtailed girl , Lin Miaoke ,dressed in red serenading 91000 people as the national flag was carried into the stadium.I really admired her for her cute appearance , showmanship and confidence. The performances then took the audience through 2000 years of Chinese history! The four great Chinese's inventions of paper, printing, gunpowder and compass were highlighted .We were guessing whether it was the effect of laser or computer tricks until the thousands of performers removed their covers to wave to us at the end of the typesetting movement.

The tiny nine years old boy from Szechuan who saved two others was given the honour to lead China's contingent together with the very tall Yao Ming who carried the nation's flag.

Another eye catching and fantastic feat was the lighting of the fuse which led to the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by Li Ning, a former Gold medallist for gymnastics. He was seen
'walking 'around the roof of the stadium.Some commented that he took too long to walk around before he lighted the fuse.But , I enjoyed seeing him walking with his "shadow " against the screen around the stadium.I later learned that he was not hesitating to light when he was in the proximity of the fuse but was instructed to give time to the broadcasting crews to be ready to capture the historic moment of lighting the cauldron . According to newspaper reports, our hero had to practise as many as 20 times late at nights to keep it a secret and even his wife was not told of the details of his involvement for the opening.

Congratulations to China! The whole world is so proud of you ! We are looking forward to more surprises for the closing ceremony on the 24th!