What a fantastic Opening Ceremony!
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| (Fireworks Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
Whatever the hurdles, or controversies, or politics, or drama surrounding the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, it was worth it to see the two separated nations of Korea come together, if only briefly for these 23rd Winter Olympic Games.
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| (Joint Flag bearers Chung Guam Hwang of Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Yunjong Won of Republic of Korea Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
There is a common bond that binds the two Koreas. They are kinsmen, one people, one culture, share one history though it maybe a challenging one. But despite all the rhetoric and political posturing, underneath it all, Koreans are Koreans, no matter where they end up on the Korean Peninsula.
Highlights of Opening Ceremony:
I love the White Tiger! Guardian Spirit!
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| (PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
That human faced bird freaks me out!
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| (Dancers perform "The Land of Peace" segment during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
If you like it then you should've put a ring on it!
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| (Dancers during the Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
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| Performers at the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 February 9, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images AsiaPac |
If you're wondering what the hottest fashion is this season, it's all about hats and color:
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(South Korean flag is carried during the Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Nigeria is sending the first ever team to the Winter Olympics, the first ever bobsled team out of Africa! And they're a women's team, with lovely headgear. It's all about the headwear and color!
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| (Flag bearer Ngozi Onwumere of Nigeria and teammates Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
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| (Flag bearer Tariel Zharkymbaev of Kyrgyzstan leads the team Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
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| (Flag bearer German Madrazo of Mexico leads the team Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
Fashion innovation of the season: The Packaging Popcorn Dress! Now you can be safely packaged and shipped long distances and arrive at your destination whole and in one piece!
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| (Standard bearer of the Nigerian Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
Most fashionable footwear: Canadian Wonder Woman Boots!
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| (Flag bearers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada lead their country Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
Most fabulous winter wear: New Zealand's traditional Kiwi feather cape!
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| (Flag bearer Beau-James Wells of New Zealand leads out his country Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
As there are no Kiwis available locally to make my own feathered cape, will I get the same effect if I use chickens or pigeons or seagulls?
It wouldn't be the Winter Olympics without Bermuda showing off their signature shorts!
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| (Flag bearer Tucker Murphy of Bermuda leads his country during the Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
I love their dedication to showing off those shorts! They're crazy for wearing that in freezing winter!
But if Bermuda is crazy, then Tonga is insane!
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| (Pita Taufatofua of Tonga leads the team during the Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
He's back! Rio 2016 Olympics fashion sensation, Pita Taufatofua of Tonga, once again showing that sometimes, less is more. Fashion is what you make of it!
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| (Pita Taufatofua of Tonga leads the team during the Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
Me? I'd rather be bundled up in warm comfortable layers. But kudos to Pita Taufatofua of Tonga for wearing his native costume with pride on the world stage.
Other favorite standouts in the Parade of Nations:
San Marino, only 24 square miles, the third smallest country in the world, surrounded by Italy, and established on 3 September 301 A.D., making San Marino the oldest republic in the world!
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| (Flag bearer Alessandro Mariotti of San Marino and teammates Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
Who runs Barter Town? Master Blaster runs Barter Town!
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| (German athletes emerge during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
The best way to enjoy any parade is with a great seat with an awesome view, and with good friends.
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| (US Freestyle skiier Gus Kenworthy and Snowboarder Shaun White Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to think about the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Cauldron.
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| (South Korean Figure Skater Kim Yu-Na about to light Pyongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Cauldron Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Pool - David J. Phillip/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
That cauldron reminded me of the Eye Walker from
The Venture Brothers.
I wasn't sure what to think when Kim Yu-Na lit the cauldron.
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| (South Korean Figure Skater Kim Yu-Na lights Pyongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Cauldron Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Pool - David J. Phillip/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
But when that cauldron caught fire and when viewed from the right frame, it looks magnificent!
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(Pyongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Cauldron Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Pool - David J. Phillip/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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The show was fantastic!
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| (Performers entertain during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
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| (PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
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| (Fire Performer Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
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(Fire Dancer Opening Ceremony PyeongChang 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Limited Edition. Authentic Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Dancer. Mint In Box.
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| Performers participate during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Photo Credit: AP/Petr David Josek |
Thank you for an amazing Opening Ceremony, PyeongChang!!!
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| (Pyongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Cauldron Feb. 8, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images AsiaPac) |
For me, High Point: the old guy in the traditional garb singing the Korean folk song; Low Point: NBC's schmaltzy coverage of the US team entry and subsequent mugging for the camera (biennial complaint).
ReplyDeletePS: I could never have briskly carried the Olympic torch up those steep steps!
LX, That old man singing their ancient Korean song was the best performance of the night. I quite liked the light show and the dancers and the constellations. Kudos to the volunteers who kept dancing and entertaining the crowds.
DeleteI would've asked for a ski lift or a donkey ride if I was assigned to run the torch up those steep, tall stairs. That was quite the hike for the torch bearers!
It does suck how NBC keeps cutting away from other countries to waste airtime on American athletes who are too busy taking selfies! We watch the Parade of Nations because we want to see other nations! When else am I going to see someone from Andorra or Togo? Or prove to nonbelievers that Liechtenstein is a real country, not a made up place from A Knights Tale (2001) with Heath Ledger?
I don't know about those red boots but "Yay, Tessa & Scott!"
ReplyDeleteMJ, I'll gladly take those stylish warm boots over Tonga's slippers or Bermuda's socks and shoes!
DeleteAnd Scott and Tessa are displaying at the Figure Skating Team Event why they're the best at ice dancing!