Beijing Beckons

Well it certainly turned out to be an auspicious beginning for the Beijing Olympics yesterday with an awesome opening ceremony combining the rich cultural tapestry of a millenia with their technological achievements today. No doubt most of their naysayers ( plenty of psychologically-embattled western critics around ) have thankfully been silenced by the dazzling spectacle.

Then again I might be biased :)

Showcasing the four great inventions of the Chinese, the opening sequence was represented by different sections dedicated to the gunpowder, the paper, the moveable-type print and the compass. Of course my favourite scene from the opening had to be the relentless army of Confucian scholars in watery shades of gray sweeping across the hushed terraces to the rhythmic snaps of their ancient bamboo scrolls.

有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？
四海之内皆兄弟也.


Rampaging Confucian academia!
Wonder whether I quoted it right or Confucius is gonna come hunting for me. Ah, the plight of the speechless Chinaman. Supposedly quoting from the analects of the philosopher Confucius and telling all about the delight in greeting travellers from afar while musing that all men are brothers.

And here you thought those gray men were chanting hoodoo.

Of course Charming Calvin will have it that the unofficial coming out party for China ( as most are calling it! ) was held purely for his sake. No doubt aided and abetted by his colluding colleagues who brought a cake to celebrate his birthday this week! Don't have to tell you that they had a magnificent fireworks display to commemorate the birthday as well! :P