Olympic Reflections

Time has an interesting way of marking itself.  Four years ago today, I arrived in the Philippines.  I know that because of the date on the calendar...July 28.  But I also know that, because four years ago (around today), I was watching the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies at a friend's house with Patrick and Christina because we had just moved into our temporary quarters and didn't yet  have cable.

As I watch the Parade of Athletes, I think of how my global experience has changed in four years. Now, I actually know where Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands are (along with Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Cook and Midway Islands).  And by "know", I mean more than just being able to locate them in an atlas.  Now, I look at these countries' athletes and their costumes, and totally understand why they are wearing flowers in their hair and long, colorful outfits.  Instead of just thinking, "That looks like how an island nation might dress."  Now I know because I've been to some of those places, met the people, and made some friends.....and, even "regular people" walking the streets, dress (and look) like that.

The same with other countries where I've visited since I've lived in Manila,like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Guam (thought that's not really another country).  I find that the faces and clothes of the athletes are pretty representative of the people I met when I traveled there....all with the exception of the Philippines!

I understand the pointy hat that they were wearing (that's pretty much all over the fields and farms of the Philippines), but the plain ivory color, I just don't know about that.  Nothing about the Philippines seems "plain ivory" to me.  Yes, the faces of the Olympic athletes were smiling (and as we all know, there are so many smiling faces in the Philippines, so that's an accurate representation), but their clothes were not.  I think of the Philippines as being such a colorful country....just look at their flag, or their festivals....to me, there's nothing "plain ivory" about it.  And besides, who would wear plain ivory in Manila...it would get so dirty so fast!!!  Maybe that's why they chose ivory?  Because they could wear it relatively "dirt-free" in London?  lol Or maybe they are trying to impart a formidable feel since there are only 11 athletes in total?  I don't know.  And, that surprised me too....only 11?  That's all?  Given how many people are running around the CCP every morning, and The Fort at night, I would think there would be more than just 11, but I wish them all the best of luck....especially Filipina 200m freestyle swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna (a swimmer will always have a place in this swimmer's heart).  

Originally, I was missing the American media coverage of the Opening Ceremonies, but now, after watching the Filipino coverage, I feel pretty satisfied.  I'm happy that, after four years, I can understand, the "Taglish" reporting style, and it's heart-warming to see how much positive coverage they do give to the US team.  Clearly Filipino-American friendship runs deep and that's not something that was evident to me, four years ago, after my arrival.

Four years later, four years wiser.