BEIJING - I've hummed and hawed (sp?) over the past few days about my overall thoughts of the Olympic Games.  It was certainly a hectic time:  I wanted to post here daily but simply didn't have the time nor any more creative juices (some would argue those have been missing for a while).  But with the games finally done, it's worth taking a moment to reflect on how they went.

Already, to me, they seem like a surreal experience.  My daily life involves working with a PR firm and co-hosting a program for Tianjin TV.  For 17 days this month, both stopped and I worked full-time, day and night, for a network of radio stations across Canada.  The job was fun, but added to my personal sense of surrealism during the games.  Not only were the Olympics in town, but it was as if I was starting a new job.

By all accounts, the games went very well.  I had planned to write a review of the opening ceremonies, which I watched with a number of athletes' families at the BC-Canada Pavilion.  In lieu of that review, I'll summarize: when the digitized numbers on the floor of the Bird's Nest counted down to one, there were a few people who briefly teared-up:  after all the hype, the China talk, the torch relay protests, Tibet, human rights, and more, here was the big moment:  the games are finally beginning.  Contrary to some comments, I thought the opening and closing ceremonies were both well done.  For the closing, my Chinese girlfriend mentioned how different London's eight minutes were from China's grand performances:  "We would never allow our performers to be wearing different outfits," she said.  And the woman playing violin?  "That's what Chinese people wear to bed!"  Yes, the London games will be a whole lot different.  She did get a kick out of Jimmy Page though, who she'd never heard of before.

Aside from the ceremonies, I also found the venues to be stellar.  I only visited the rowing venue, baseball parks, and beach volleyball.  I also spent an afternoon walking around the Olympic Green, but couldn't be bothered to stand in long lineups at the sponsor pavilions for a free Coke.  All the events were fun, the beer was cheap, and the atmosphere good (minus the Canada vs. Netherlands baseball game, in which only a handful of people filled the stands).  I also had accreditation to the Canada Olympic House, although only spent one day there.  Talk about heaven for Canadian athletes and their families:  three free meals a day prepared by gourmet chefs, barbecues on the outdoor patio, free drinks, coffee, bar, and living room with a live Olympic feed from the CBC.  If it wasn't so far (out near the Bird's Nest -- I live near Gongti) I would've spent much more time there.

I also assumed - and said repeatedly on Canadian radio - that it as likely there would be some protests during the games.  There were, but nothing approaching any kind of sensational news.  China kept a tight lid on any dissent -- and whatever your views on this -- the world's media largely focused on the sporting events, which is what was intended.

I must say one final thing on this topic:  the people of China should be proud.  I spent a lot of time interviewing tourists, athletes, families, staff, and more, and nearly everyone gave me glowing reviews of Beijing and the Chinese hospitality.  Despite some concerns going in, China showed the world that it was capable of pulling off perhaps the world's greatest sporting event with class and flair.  The country and people should be applauded, with extra praise for the legions of volunteers.

From a PR perspective, I'm not sure China could've asked for much more.  Talking with radio hosts in Canada over the past two weeks, many seemed in awe of China's venues, development, and gold medal count.  If China considered this a "coming out party" (sorry, Kaiser), it must be seen as a success.  Any concerns about pollution, human rights, or Tibet seemed to vanish; despite some small banners being unfurled, none of the negative news really stuck.  China's image was burnished around the world through images on television and the thousands that flocked to the city who will go home with mostly positive reviews of their experiences.  Former Canadian Olympian Mark Tewksbury summed it up when he said, and I paraphrase, that he always figured China was oppressive and grey.  But now, he said, he has no doubts that China is "the future."  Others said the same kinds of things.

We mustn't look past China's many problems, but I'm willing to put them on the backburner for a day or two as the country basks in a job well done. I probably need a few more days to let everything sink in, as the days seemed to fly by.  It was a blur, it was fun, and I'm glad I was here.  That being said, I'm kinda looking forward to getting back to reality.