Dance, Dance, Revolution

August 21, 2008

Dance, Dance, Revolution

Beijing-My last night here in Beijing and I hit up GT Bananas with the Canadians and my temporary roomie Christine M. It was bananas! Not quite as good as the banana split I had earlier in the week when I went out with the Brazilians, but still fun. The dance-floor was like a trampoline, there were bubbles, and when I used my credit card to pay for a round, I had to follow the waiter all the way to the kitchen where a woman was sitting to process my payment: 9 beers for $30. I only asked for 6, but they kept giving us extras. We also weren't allowed to take our purses in, but after "speaking to the manager" (the only way to get anyone to break the rules for you), they let us in after a $5 cover.

It is supposed to be the hottest club in Beijing and it was certainly going off last night. In between dances with locals who performed perfect video game dance moves, here we were, a group of 10 giant awkward swimmers crowding the bouncy dance-floor. Our night was filled with fun and humour.

Bud House parties take place every other evening, which is why we were going bananas last night. The Speedo party was hot, and Oakley threw a fun one on the roof of a bar, complete with sand and beach umbrellas…I forgot for a moment I was in Beijing. I've been eating dinners at London House, a beautiful venue that welcomed me many nights. Canada House on the other hand is very strict; despite being a two-time Canadian Olympian, I could only get a day pass to visit my friend, swimmer Adam S. The Olympian Reunion Center was in the palace of the grandson of an emperor. It was a breathtaking location, and lovely respite.

Of course, getting to your destination is another story.

The subways here are clean and timely, but there is absolutely no chivalry going on. Men dive-bomb for open seats knocking old ladies out of the way. When Elliot M. tried to give his seat to an elderly woman she blushed and waved her hand no. When I told my taxi driver one day, "Wou ai nee" he too blushed, and put his palm against his cheek giggling with embarrassment. I mean, I really did love him. He actually got me to the place I wanted to go. This is a huge feat in a place where the drivers need the location spelled out in Chinese script and even then they don't know where they are going. While taxis were cheap, I longed for the educated New York cabbie. After handing my hotel's business card with directions in Chinese to each taxi driver, every single one of them proceeded to talk to himself for 5 minutes out loud, then back to me in Chinese, as if I had better instructions for him than the card.

I can't believe it's been 4 days since MP won 8, and the swimming has come to an end. It flew by, especially with the daze that surrounded me for the first half of the meet. I've been to see waterpolo, Dream Team basketball, and Usain Bolt at track to fill the void, but nothing compares to swimming.

I went to the Great Wall with Adam S. and his family. We took a gondola ride up and then a toboggan ride down; it was very fun. I have been to Beijing before, way back in 1993 for World Cup. I also went to Shanghai, and I couldn't tell you if either city has changed. I do remember the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, but I did not go to Tiananmen Square as I did yesterday. I stood there surrounded by Chinese people happily snapping photos in front of Olympic inspired shrubbery and signs. I felt sick and left.

The 2008 Olympic Games were amazing, but I will not miss China. I do not speak Mandarin, and no one speaks English. It takes 10 people to make a decision and at least 20 minutes to discuss it as a collective. If I had had to fill out another form in triplicate just to buy a phone card, I think I would have lost it completely. Everyone was very friendly and I cannot fault the Chinese people for the system thrust upon them, but Communism sucks. The inefficiency is mind-boggling. I have a lot more views on this issue. I blogged for Team Darfur if you are interested: http://www.teamdarfur.org/node/596

Most people shopped until they dropped, buying fake Tumi suitcases to store all their new wares. I didn’t buy anything because I'm not down with counterfeit thievery. But I do have some wonderful memories and stories to tell. The new friends I made and the old friends I got to hang with have made this an amazing 4th Olympic Games. I can't decide if it's the best; it is impossible to measure fun, friendship and swimming adventures. But it certainly was full of great times.