Olympics in Shanghai

Shanghai was to be the host city for the Olympic football matches. Upon learning this I tried to get tickets as Australia was playing Serbia. I was unable to get tickets, however at Starbuck's I found a magazine that told you what was on and where. I found a sports bar that was bound to play the football. So off to the Big Bamboo Bar to watch Australia play.

Waiting for the game to start and they bring out a flag that is not the Australian flag but the Kiwi flag. I go up to the TV to get a better look. I missed the game. This was the NZ V China game. Anyway we stayed to watch it before heading back to the hotel for a sleep.

We watched the Opening Ceremony at Malone's American Cafe. We did not understand anything so thought the whole thing was a bit boring. When it was explained to us by our families in the days following, we then had a better appreciation for the opening ceremony.

There was this french guy hanging around us, whom I really found quite annoying. Anyway he said, "Do you sleep around?" In a stern voice I asked him to repeat. This time he said "Do you sleep around here?" I'm not sure whether he was trying or for someone who had lived in China for 8 years his English was really bad.

Whilst we were waiting for the parade of countries, my American friend asked me what is the full name of Australia? I was astonished. Although I shouldn't have been as I have come to realize that American's I have met are very limited in their knowledge of the outside world. Is it ignorance or arrogance? I'm not sure. They certainly do not know much about the little place down under.