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Jan Barranco-Grams is a well-traveled, professional business woman in the travel industry. She is currently on assignment at the Olympics in Beijing. Jan will post Blogs, “Bites from Beijing,” exclusively for HOFN.com that will keep us abreast of her fun lifestyle while in China during the 2008 Olympic Games.
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Our group had tickets to see men’s tennis play today. As a tennis player, I would have loved going, but it was my turn to hold down the fort, plus I had work to get done. Also, having gone to Opening Ceremonies plus Gymnastics, I was okay about staying back.
The irony is that it was Sunday morning when I traditionally go to the “Church of the Tennis Court” with my favorite tennis pals. So after the group left for tennis, my friend, Claire, asked if I wanted to join her at BICF – Beijing International Christian Fellowship Church. While a welcomed idea, it was difficult seeing the broken hearts of the Volleyball Team.
I’m trying to be “PC” and not talk politics or religion, but this was a wonderful experience that I have to share. As most of you must know, religious freedoms are squashed in China, so to attend church you must be a foreign national or an international visitor. You must present a passport to enter and go through security screening. This church was huge, more like a big multi-tiered theater. When we entered, there was a great band playing….none other than the Gatlin Brothers! They played a handful of songs, then the “house band” came on, who were equally wonderful. When the minister came out, he asked the audience to turn to their neighbors and introduce yourself. I met people from Hong Kong, Chicago, Singapore, and California. It truly was an international church – and a very comforting morning. I had a good cry, prayed for peace and healing, and I left with a lighter heart. I was where I was supposed to be this morning.
And, btw, tennis got rained out – and James Blake was scheduled to play. …So, all-in-all, I’m feeling a whole lot better now.
In the afternoon, we headed up to the Great Wall to prepare for our dinner at the old school house – and walked up The Wall to set up our party. We had previously worked out the details, with a timeline that was down to the minute. We had darling little girls who danced, plus men dancers who did the traditional Dragon Dance. Unfortunately, plans changed multiple times, as it continuously rained. However, it was still a great night!
Time for bed. As I predicted, once the games began, sleep and workouts would be minimal.
Wan An!
Jan
Good Morning JB-
The Gatlin Brothers. That sounds good, my Mom will be jealous. Glad you got to experience that. I was watching some coverage of the games this morning and will watch more tonight. The Chinese Men’s gymnastics team is something else. Cool to see Mike Phelps is picking up some Gold. Hope he gets his eight Gold medals goal met. This morning, they were saying the rain may actually make for some blue skies in Beijing. Nice to see a new post/update. Keep ‘em coming!
All is good in La Mesa -:)- Love Ya!
rsg in SD
Comment by rsg in SD — August 10, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
Good to hear the Chinese government at leasts allows foreigners to visit a church of choice. Hope you make the next tennis match, even though I don’t think tennis belongs in the Olympics.
Comment by Delmartian — August 10, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Dear Delmartian,
I am going to let that “tennis doesn’t belong at the Olympics” comment slide only because I have the same sentiments about the whole basketball nonsense. . .the NBA plays at the Olympics! I am sure that will open a whole can of worms, because basketball is huge here.
btw, Delmartian. . .do I know you? Give me a secret clue. . .
jbg
Comment by Jan — August 10, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
jbg…you’re right, like tennis, nor does basketball belong in the Olympics….and I’m a huge basketball fan. These sports have their own forum, they don’t need the Olympics.
We have a mutual friend…..
Comment by Delmartian — August 10, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
Glad there’s some notice that the Chi-Coms “squash” the religous. I would have chosen words more like imprison, persecute, subjugate, and at times, execute.
Comment by Bostonian — August 10, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
He’s baaaaaaaack!
Comment by GZG — August 10, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
Jan
Your blog is wonderful - makes the Olympics (which have taken on more than Olympic proportions) very personal. ahhh . . an event at the Great Wall. . . wow!
Comment by lw from san diego — August 10, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Just trying to insert a little reason and objectivity into the fawning over one of the most barbaric dictatorships history will ever see. That’s the least one can do to honor the millions the Chinese Communist regime sent to their graves.
Comment by Bostonian — August 11, 2008 @ 8:41 am
Hey Bostonian …. can you ever see the forest for the trees? This blog is about the Olympics and experiencing a new culture. We all know of the atrocities of Communist China. We don’t need you to teach us!
Comment by SurfTurf — August 11, 2008 @ 9:38 am
Experiencing a new culture? You mean the managed version the Chi-Coms are putting up like some all-you-can-eat media buffet? Even the fireworks at the Opening Ceremony were faked. Do not forget that each time a dollar goes to Communist China, the United States grows weaker, and our grandchildren become the property of Mao’s very clever regime.
Comment by Bostonian — August 11, 2008 @ 9:42 am
Spare us. There are plenty other political blogs you can voice your concerns and share your historical expertise.
Comment by SurfTurf — August 11, 2008 @ 9:56 am
Spoken like a classic liberal. Avoid the content of the discussion. Make it personal.
Comment by Bostonian — August 11, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Liberal? Personal? Spoken like a fanatic right-winger - using other people’s forums for your own personal agenda.
Plus, you’re making my point. You using this forum is NOT the content of discussion.
Comment by SurfTurf — August 11, 2008 @ 11:15 am
Hey Sis,
I agree with you on the basketball issue. I still don’t know how the “no professional” athlete rule got waved in the Olympics for that goofy sport.
I was cheering for the Chinese. Kobe belongs in a cell next to Michael Vick.
If they raise the basket in conjunction to the taller and taller players maybe the sport would appear more legitimate.
Or maybe the should score them extra when they do their little routines on the hoop.
I still think it is sport invented for 7′freaks of nature that couldn’t find a job else where.
Water Polo. Now THAT is a REAL sport.
C-Ya JB
CEB
Comment by Charley Barranco — August 11, 2008 @ 11:36 am
Hey CEB … “no professional athlete rule?” Where have you been living - under a rock? Other than the U.S., countries have been sending professional athletes to the Olympic for “ever”.
But, I agree… no basketball, beach volleyball, tennis, softball, baseball, etc.
And, btw, I do like water polo…
Comment by Cardiff101 — August 11, 2008 @ 11:57 am
CEB …. cheering for China?! That’s not very patriotic. Do you even know who was leading the Chinese basketball team? Yoa Ming… an NBA player!
Comment by Delmartian — August 11, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
OK Cardiff101 and Delmartian… I plead ignorance to the “professional” athlete thing. I really wasn’t cheering that hard for the Chinese. Maybe if basketball was only one quarter long, I would find it worth watching. Although I do admit going to a few games in high school when Bill Walton was on our team (Go Helix High!) Otherwise we are on the same page with scratching beach volleyball,softball and baseball. Out of fear of my sister Jan and the tennis thing, I’ll leave that opinion out.
I’m sure Jan would take the opportunity to remind me that I challenged her to a match once after I ‘dissed the sport and she trashed me.
That all said, let’s all stick together and gang up on Bostonian. Peace.
CEB
Comment by Charley B. — August 11, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
To all you *Testosterone-producers* .. rather than “gang up” on the likes of Bostonian how about you just bypass those entries, ignore the comments and not respond in any manner!?! Any response is a plus in their book and just keeps this unnecessary banter thriving.
Clearly Jan would rather her blog not deviate to politics or religion nor diminish the experiences she intends to share with us all. So let’s leave the schoolyard mentality to those of the appropriate age.
PEACE OUT
Comment by TAHOECAT — August 11, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
Affirmative! Good point TahoeCat. Let’s all just enjoy the efforts of the athletes from all countries who have all worked so hard over the past four years to reach the Olympics. That is what the athletes want. Let it be about the competion and enjoy the games for what they are; the best of the best…Go USA!
Comment by rsg in SD — August 11, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Next important Olympic subject, then. Is Costas wearing a rug or just a bad dye job? Talk amongst yourselves.
Comment by Bostonian — August 11, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
Hey RSG,
Check your E-mail
CB
Comment by Charley B. — August 11, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
For you first-comers to blogs….opinion and banter is what blogging is all about. No harm, no foul!
Comment by blogAwayCAN — August 11, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
Regarding Costas … I originally thought it was a bad dye job, but tonight it looked like a bad rug!
Comment by GMAN88 — August 11, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
Here,Here ‘blogAwayCAN,
Thank you for clarifying the concept of the blog to those who would steer the subjects discussed down a more narrower path.
It is the thoughts and the opinion and of all those contributing that opens minds and stirs ideas and fuels banter.
And yes,to the distress of many of you, even our friend Mr.Bostonian has a right to his opinion.
Be it Left,Right or Centrist,this is what this country is all about.
The vast majority of us are here anxiously waiting for Jan’s next update. We are responding to mostly, her experiences,views AND opinions. This IS the freedom our forefathers intended us to explore. As ‘blogAwayCAN so simply explained it, “That is what blogging is all about”
And as one of us mentioned, let us not digress to the school yard antics of name calling and disrespect.
Blog on, Jan fans. Let the Games continue!
Charley B.
Comment by Charley B. — August 11, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
For blogAwayCAN & Charley B. ~
I’m fully aware of the concept of blogging .. which includes one’s option to choose what they care to read, or not.
Charley B. — while you’re entitled to your opinion of Bryant I find it unfortunate that you’d cheer for the Chinese rather than support the U.S. – in the scheme of things I feel that is what’s disrespectful. It’s a *team* endeavor and shouldn’t be devalued because of Kobe’s involvement.
Jan … I found your church experience to be both moving and enlightening. I hope you still have the opportunity to see James Blake in some fashion. Looking forward to your next entry.
GO DARA TORRES and the U.S.A.
Comment by TAHOECAT — August 12, 2008 @ 2:55 am
If you have a chance, check out the other blog on this site regarding the Olympics called: Olympics: Past the Point of No Return?
The more I watch some of these Olympic events, the more I agree that manny don’t belong in the Olympics.
Comment by Delmartian — August 12, 2008 @ 6:33 am
RE:TAHOECAT;
Wow! Now we are being told who we can cheer for.
Sorry,I celebrate all the athletes . I don’t care what country they are from. The ones who work the hardest, have the most heart and perform the best ARE the ones who deserve the gold medal.
As one of the hundreds of tv commercials states, GO WORLD!
as far as being “dispectful” or un-patriotic, between my home and my vehicles, I guarantee you I have more American flags flying than you do. Please don’t go there again.
CB
Comment by Charley B. — August 12, 2008 @ 8:46 am
Can’t you all just get along!
Comment by SoCaGirl — August 12, 2008 @ 9:47 am
SoCaGirl…. sports bring out the passion in people. This is all good stuff!
Comment by SDsportsnut — August 12, 2008 @ 9:49 am
Wow passion is right, so China Blog Girl has been very busy working while you all go at the verbal gymnastistics - very fun to read. Delmartian, the blog “Past the Point of no return”, I absolutely agree - this really is a gathering of professional athletes, but how do you undo it?
I have now been to Men’s gymnastics, women’s volleyball and will go to the Beach Volleyball venue tomorrow morning. Every venue here is state of the art, it’s been a thrill everytime I go. I am on the run, so will write another letter tomorrow when I come up for air.
CB & TahoeCat - you both are so a like in so many ways but you don’t even know it.
OK I gotta go to bed, I’ve been getting about 5 hours of sleep a night. I would love a massage right now but I would fall asleep immediately and they frown upon you sleeping on thier tables
good night
jbg
Comment by Jan — August 12, 2008 @ 10:25 am
Charley B. –
In my book (& the dictionary) feeling that somebody is disrespectful is a far cry from calling someone unpatriotic … and I was not insinuating that you are. You’re getting me confused with “Delmartian” who actually did – refer to comment #16. I find it interesting that you didn’t appear to take offense to that statement but instead tell me “don’t go there again”. Apparently you missed my point (or it was not clear enough) re: Bryant vs. the U.S. as a team. You’re probably right that I’m not flying as many flags as you are (one of mine IS a “USA Olympic” flag) but I don’t feel a person’s patriotism is measured by the number of flags one displays.
It doesn’t bother me who you or anyone else roots for – that’s everyone’s prerogative. And I do admire and appreciate the efforts of participants from other countries – it’s not all about winning. However I generally choose to cheer on representatives of the USA when they’re participating in an event.
HURRAY FOR PHELPS !!!
Comment by TAHOECAT — August 13, 2008 @ 2:39 am
We have some very sensitive people here. And, noone used the word UNpatriotic. I said, “that’s not very patriotic.”
Below is the definition of patriotism. As you’ll note, it relates to pride of achievement for other members of the nation. When you’re “cheering for the Chinese” that doesn’t fit the definition of patriotic. But, certainly, cheer for whomever you choose……
…Patriotism denotes positive and supportive attitudes to a ‘fatherland’, by individuals and groups. The ‘fatherland’ (or ‘motherland’) can be a region or a city, but patriotism usually applies to a nation and/or a nation-state. Patriotism covers such attitudes as: pride in its achievements and culture, the desire to preserve its character and the basis of the culture, and identification with other members of the nation.
Comment by Delmartian — August 13, 2008 @ 8:07 am
You’re right Delmartian - YOU didn’t use *the word*. Since that’s not what you meant, my sincere apologies.
Comment by TAHOECAT — August 13, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
No problem. All in fun!
Comment by Delmartian — August 13, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
One of the nice thing about being Canadian is we may not have won any medals but at least we don’t have to watch Bob Costas…….
Comment by P. Le Pew — August 14, 2008 @ 12:17 am
Each time we go into Ikea and buy some Chinese-made this or that, each time we go into Costco and buy Chinese farm-raised shrimp, each time we go into Wal-Mart and buy shirts and pants made in some Chinese sweat shop, we are unpatriotic. But the most unpatriotic – treasonous actually – are the confederate whores in Washington who run our debt into the trillions with IOUs owned by China, and concede the future of our nation and our children to the the dictatorship in Beijing. We, by virtue of our proxies in the Congress and their profligate spending programs, fund not our own prosperity, but the power lust of China.
Comment by Bostonian — August 14, 2008 @ 8:14 am
I hope all this bantering hasn’t ruined Jan’s interest in updating us. I look forward to hearing more about her experiences.
Comment by SoCaGirl — August 14, 2008 @ 10:40 am
a quickie note from Jan, I’ve been running on about 5 hours sleep the past few days, I’m playing and working long hours. I went out to beach volleyball venue twice yesterday, it is so much fun out there. Both the men’s and women’s teams won - I know them all now, so that makes it twice as fun.
I must go to bed right now because I am up early tomorrow and off to the National Stadium for track and field events. I will have time to write after I get back.
Bostonian, what did your last entry have to do with the cost of tea in China or The Olympics? Listening to you is like Chinese water torture. There, I am tired and punchy and got it off my chest. . .but now I know the wrath of Khan is coming.
All sorts of puns intended,
good night,
jbg
Comment by Jan — August 14, 2008 @ 10:56 am
My point is this: When we, with our wills and dollars build a new China, we destroy the United States. It is really that simple and clear and beyond debate. If this is what we choose to do, so be it.
Comment by Bostonian — August 14, 2008 @ 11:33 am
Good to hear from Jan. Nothing wrong with working and playing hard. I just hope you’ve left yourself some time off to rest when you get home!
Don’t waste your breadth on Bostonian. Same old, same old. If I wanted a history lesson, I’d go on history.com!
Comment by Delmartian — August 14, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Just like another liberal, avoid the content of the point, attack personally. It is very apparent you have never wanted to know anything about history, history.com notwithstanding.
Comment by Bostonian — August 14, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
Bostonian… you don’t get it. We’re not interested in your content. Go to a Blog where people want to have dialog about what you’re selling. Most of it is accurate, but it’s just not wanted in this space.
Comment by Delmartian — August 14, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
Touche delmartian!
Comment by blogAwayCAN — August 14, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
Hey SoCaGirl,
As you probably noted, Jan has not given up on us. Talking privately with her, she has no problem with the dialogs that have been conjured up on this blog between us all. She actually finds it amusing. She’s glad we can entertain ourselves between her updates.
Re: her last update, her opinion of Bostonian’s diatribe is evident.
Charley B.
Comment by Charley B. — August 14, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Hey Bostonian,
As the Delmartian said, I think most of us here get what your saying and yeah, even probably agree with you. “China gal Jan” was asked to share this experience of a lifetime, that she has the chance to be part of, with those who are interested. You may of noticed, a lot of folks are.
You are not going to solve the mess this world is in, on this site. Your not going to close Walmart or convince me to vote for Obama. We are all taking a few weeks(or how ever long this this thing lasts) to enjoy a little sanity in an insane world.
Why don’t you give it a try. Your blood pressure might just go down a few points.
Charley B.
Comment by Charley B. — August 14, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
I was just watching PSI on ESPN. They were talking about tennis in the Olympics. Their vote? OUT!
Comment by Delmartian — August 14, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
good thing about being canadian is that i won’t bump into delmartian or bostonian on the streets….
Comment by P. Le Pew — August 14, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
another good thing about being a Canadian is that …. “we stand guard for thee”
Comment by SurfTurf — August 14, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Hi Charley…Convince you to vote for Obama? Oh, Lord, Obama and his hate-filled wife in the White House would be (and might be) the final blow to the nation. When that couple is done, the United States as we know her, and once loved her, will be over. I would love to get my blood pressure down, but in this world, it’s tough, don’t you think?
Comment by Bostonian — August 15, 2008 @ 8:51 am
Hey Bostonian,
Your preachin’ to the choir on the BP thing, my friend. I’m learning that you have to pick your battles very carefully other wise you’ll implode.I can be as passionate as you are when I get fired up. My sister Jan(in China),I’m sure got real nervous when i jumped on this blog.
Barack and Michele are the scariest things to creep into politics in a long time. McCain doesn’t give me a warm fuzzie but I think we can keep a leash on him. The biggest threats to this country in the future, I think are Nancy Pelosi and the Obama’s.Lord help us.
Your gonna get me in trouble now for going political on this site.
By the way.I really don’t have a collection of dictator hats.;-)
Happy Friday
Charley B.
Comment by Charley B. — August 15, 2008 @ 11:37 am
Sir Charles: next time you are in Boston, let’s raise a toast to the defeat of those shameful and shameless Dems in Congress. However I fear they along with the Messiah and wife will prevail. I have a place in Canada were likeminds are welcome.
Comment by Bostonian — August 15, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Bostonian,
I share your fear of the powers that may be in the future. They will be this country’s downfall or it will maybe lead to a political upheaval in this country never before seen.(wishful thinking).
Keep a Boston Ale on ice for me.
Cheers,
Charley B.
Comment by Charley B. — August 15, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
I will keep the Boston Ale cool for you. And we have plenty of firewood for the cold, Obama winters. Now if only we could figure out a way to keep them out of our wallets.
Comment by Bostonian — August 15, 2008 @ 4:06 pm