“The Olympics aren’t just a sporting event, they are also a travelogue” –Jim McKay

While I was watching the opening ceremony last night, which was fabulous by the way, I got to thinking that I love the Olympics for exactly the same reason I love to travel. I love the glimpse into other cultures. It’s one of big thrills in my life to learn about different people and places.

The Olympics gives us that opportunity. Not just of the host country, either, but of all the countries attending. And while nothing will ever compare to real travel, you can learn a lot even from the couch. I can’t even count the number of interesting facts I leaned about so many the countries attending last night. This was while trying to scramble and figure out where some of them were!

Each country’s outfits alone told volumes about their culture. From brightly colored traditional African clothing to the spiffy French to the sporty Brazilians to the always appropriate Bermudu team in their Bermuda shorts.

Here are a few interesting tidbits:

• The entire county of China is in one time zone.

• 1/5 of the world lives in China!

• Saudi Arabia still doesn’t allow women athletes, but for the first time Pakistan brought two women athletes. Sure, they are the prime ministers daughters. But, hey it’s a start.

• The African country of Lesotho is one of only two countries in the world that is completely surrounded by another country. It’s surrounded by South Africa. The other country is San Marino surrounded by Italy.

• There is a Starbucks on the Great Wall of China.

I think they hit the nail on the head with the Olympic slogan this year: One world, one dream. We are all so much more alike than we are different.

So while I am still a total Olympics cheeseball, most of my reasons do run pretty deep.

These photos really don’t do the opening ceremonies justice. China really outdid themselves. It was a beautiful, moving, and very relevant opening ceremony.

*The quote that is the title of this blog post was just one of many brilliant things said by the late, great sportscaster Jim McKay. I actually heard it after writing this, and it sums up my feelings perfectly. Much better than I could ever do myself. Jim McKay certainly had a way with words. He will be missed.