Yes indeed, genetics does a lot, but hard work, discipline and endurance, and in some cases teamwork, compares, and sometimes surpasses genetics.

The weather was the best by far.  Clear blue sky, not a shred of a cloud.  Hot but not scorching, humid, but not wet.  Probably the absolutely best Beijing can offer in mid-August.

Organization was outstanding.  From the time we left the car, to the time we got to our seat, was about twenty minutes.  But we were never lost.  Signs and ushers were all over the place, courteous, welcoming, and speaking English.  The competitions were extremely well organized as well.  Stands were brought in and out, hurdles placed and taken away.  All events started precisely on time.  It was an outstanding display of organization, order, planning and execution.  To all my friends, colleagues, direct and indirect reports – watching the Olympic Games can be considered as an Advanced Project Management class.  Watch for details, plans for contingencies, pay attention to progress and schedules, and execute diligently.  Do that and you will succeed.  Do that and you will delight your customers.

Drinks and snacks were extremely reasonably priced, and readily available.  The lines were long, but manageable.

It was an exceptional experience.  To attend an Olympic event was an experience we’ll never forget.

One exception.  It was very apparent that the smart people were sitting on one side of the stadium, while the others were seated on the other side.  How so?  The sun rises on the east.  Smart people know that.  So if you sit on the western side of the stadium, what do you have?  You got it: the sun in your eyes, and on every other exposed part of your body.  Soon enough I started to turn around, to get evenly cooked on all sides.  When we left at 13:00 PM, I was ready to be served.  I was burned.

You guessed it, I was sitting on the other side.  Burnt or not, I had the time of my life.  So did Dorit and Guy.  We’re looking forward to the two other events we have tickets for.  This time, however, the moon will be up.  What a relief.

One last thing.  In the picture I took, there’s an error.  Can anyone figure it out?  Feel free to email or post a comment.  No prizes.  Recognition only – name or email…

We planned the day, which turned out to be a mandatory day off for all Beijingers, so that no matter what, at 8:00 PM we would be sitting in front of the TV, watching the most watched event in human history (I don’t think the numbers are out yet, but I’m willing to bet this will be a record).

Let me see if I can line up enough superlatives for what we’ve been watching: spectacular, colorful, outstanding, amazing, thrilling, exhilarating, compelling, exciting, absolutely wonderful.  I know, it’s not enough, but rather than spend the time looking up words in the thesaurus, I’d rather write a few words on our impressions.  The glory of China in thousands of years of existence came to light.  And what a beautiful show it was.  Starting with an outstanding show of human coordination and synchronization, with the drums which literally never missed a beat.  Hundreds if not more of drummers beating as if they were one.  It really did feel like a large beating heart.  The five circles Olympic logo rising up and into the air, was again, spectacular.

Fifty six children, representing fifty six ethnic groups, all dressed up in their ethnic clothes, marched through the stadium with the audience cheering excitedly.  It was a real nice show of unity and representation.  When it cam to the scroll, the rolling scroll, depicting inventions the Chinese are credited for – paper and print, compass and seismographs, sails, fireworks and more.  Calligraphy shown in the grandest way.  Again spectacular.

I have to admit that living in Beijing for so long, I have seen already a show or two of fireworks.  None like last night.  Computer synchronized, amazingly colorful, perfectly shaped.  Another show of attention to the smallest details.  Outstanding.  The Olympic delegations strolling in, I must admit, took way too long, in my opinion.  For the London designers of the opening ceremony I would suggest to have the delegations of athletes coming in from at least four gates rather than one, and cut the length of this phase to a quarter.  It’s nice to watch two hundred and four delegations, many from countries I am not familiar with (some of which are brand new).  But two hours was a little too much for me.  I loved seeing the Israeli, the American, and the Chinese delegations, and I wish them all the best of luck in their attempts to get as many medals as possible.

The Olympic Torch coming in to the stadium was, again, spectacular.  Li Ning, pulled up into the air, running in the air to light the Olympic Flame, was another show of absolutely outstanding choreography, and source of pride for everyone.

As for me, if I had to point out one thing that really got to me in a big way, literally, I would have no problem doing that.  Yao Ming, the 2.26 meters (7″4′) star basketball player from the Houston Rockets, marching along with Lin Hao, the nine year old child, who not only survived the Sichuan earthquake on May 12, but also managed to have saved two of his classmates, would be it.  To see this giant of a man, the realization of a dream for many Chinese, walking hand in hand with a small child, with an already larger than life story, was touching to all of us watching the ceremony together.

Lastly, from the comfort of my air-conditioned living room, and the 42″ TV, let me wish everyone a peaceful Olympiad, multitude of medals, plenty of pride to all.  May the best men and women win!  Let the games begin!