It Is Getting Closer!!!!

Well with all the excitement over the last few weeks, with riots in Tibet and threats of boycotts throughout the world, the Olympic Torch Ceremony in Greece went without a hitch, maybe even above expectations. For those of you
who watched it, it was shown live here in China, with much build up and enthusiasm to ignite the chinese into the expected throngs of people, who will
enter, visit and participate at the games in August.

I don't believe that there is a family in this vast land, that has not attempted to
log onto the China Olympic Games Web Site, to enter into the local lottery and receive his tickets for the event. The prices for these nationals, start at 100yuan
(50nis or $12) a price that us westerners can only envy. For anyone who does not possess an identity card, they have to go into the foreign websites and purchase their tickets there.

The government, rightly so, wants the stadiums to be full and give the opportunity to the local people or those who are willing to fight their way through the throng, by travelling across the land to visit the capital and be part of this historic event. Posters are displayed all through the city, with a large digital clock in the centre of the ring roads, displaying the amount of time and days left to the appointed moment.

Yesterday at Tian'anmen square the ceremony of the Olympic Torch took place.
Here with pride and a host of onlookers, the torch was to begin its forward journey around the world, spreading the world of peace and the 2008 Games
slogan of 'One World, One Dream'.

19,400 volunteers have been chosen for the final leg of the torch, when it arrives back at Beijing and will be transferred to the 'Bird's Nest' as it has been called,
the Olympic Stadium. These people that were chosen from a lottery, will line the route, their ages ranging from 8 - 84 and have around 500m between them.
It is considered both an honor and experience to have been chosen for this deed.

The streets are already filling up with the volunteers, stopping any passer-by
that looks foreign, to be able to take a few moments to speak english with them.
There are even pictures in the newspaper of them being taught 'the wave' that they will display in volume at an event.

Baby and marriage boom is expected this year, as many want to have a memorable year for the occasion. Video referees will help they hope to fight
controversy and the decisions that are often made by a human referee that causes upset and questionable integrity. These cameras that were already used
at the 2006 Worlds and other major events, had a positive feedback.

Air China is set to open more ticket counters for sales and transportation services, both at Olympic venues and some major hotels. Their hours will be
extended to midnight and have invested a large amount of money into the smoothness of the operation. This has been proven at the recent opening of
Terminal 3, Beijing, especially in comparison to Terminal 5, London. Further
flights to Europe are expected to begin, so even if you have not decided to attend
the games yet, come on, get in the spirit and jump on a flight.

As for me, well after listening to one and all how impossible it is to buy tickets, I have discovered that that is only true for the locals, so I am hoping to still be able to see my favorite sports and I am sure I shall be noticeable, as I will be the one waving my Israeli/Chinese flag..... See you there, I hope.