Attitude of Gratitude

Me promoting peace at the Paralympic games

I’ve been to a couple of places over the last few weeks to Hong Kong, China, and then Australia – I’ve had a mixture of business travel and some holiday as well. I have had lots adventures to write about, and will start with having the incredible opportunity to visit the Paralympics while in Beijing. It was a wonderful opportunity and such an amazing experience it nearly had me in tears a number of times.

China was hugely proud of sponsoring the Olympics and Paralympics in 2008, and it is easily seen across the city. Olympic flags line every street, enormous banner drape buildings, and huge statues are strategically placed all around the city. And as just about everyone on this earth knows, they spent millions upon millions of dollars on just the opening ceremony.

Beijing buildings show their Olympic pride

The Korean team was staying on our hotel, The Wenjin Hotel, which was fairly close to the Olympic complex. Our hotel housed a fancy Korean restaurant, which is why I think the Koreans chose it as their Paralympic headquarters. Throughout my week stay there, there were Korean Paralympic red carpet events and the Korean team wheeling around. I tried to get into some of the events, but they didn’t let me in. I don’t know how they could tell I wasn’t Korean.

But I was lucky enough to meet one of the Korean world champion’s while in the lobby with most of the Korean Paralympic planning team. They were very friendly and happy to get some pictures with some crazy red headed American.

Me and the Korean Paralympic Team

But seeing the Olympic complex for the first time takes your breath away. It is so grande that it would take one at least an entire day to wander through it all. I had not expected it to be that massive, with several uniquely architected buildings covering miles and miles of ground. In my mind, the complex only held the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube. No way… there are remarkable buildings in every direction as far as the eye can see. Each building held different sports arenas, from wheelchair tennis, to ping pong, to swimming, to running. The Bird’s Nest is HUGE and reminds me of the futuristic time travel machine out of the movie Contact. All of it was spectacular and the excitement in the air that was nearly palatable.

A small section of the Olympic complex

Chinese stick figure guarding the Olympic complex

The Water Cube

As you wander through the park, there is also an entire section of large tents dedicated to each of the provinces in China – 22 all said, I believe. They show the special things from each region and some of them were spectacular, showing painted caves and carvings, bright paintings, and interesting dances and traditions (like the frog dance, where people dress up and hop around like frogs – still not sure about that one).

And the tents cover was just a small area of the huge complex. There are other areas that had cool looking car displays, different sports clothing ads – oh, and the food for the champions was sponsored by none other than McDonalds. That’s right, only the best for our Olympians! We only offer the highest quality in nutrition and sustenance, starting with double Big Macs and supersized fries and ending with an extra large shake. The food courts were strategically located throughout the campus, and the one we went to was the largest McDonald’s I have ever seen in my life, with two floors – just for good measure – which were both bursting with people.

Olympic sized McDonalds

And I was fortunate enough to obtain tickets to a wheelchair basketball game where South Africa played Sweden. It was incredible – that is all I can say. And you feel so happy for the players – you just want all of them to win!! They are incredibly agile, racing expertly around the court (with wheelchairs that have up to 6 wheels). And the way they maneuver, not just when wheeling around, but when they fall over, and somehow manage to bounce right back up.

Sweden vs South Africa wheelchair basketball

But all too soon it was over. I could only stay a few hours because I had to catch (another) plane. No rest for the weary. I can tell you that it was an unbelievable experience and one I won’t easily forget.