I liked it very much. At the end as the different nationalities entered the stadium it got a bit lengthy.

But what I remembered most is the torchbearer who was caught up by a carpet as he raced towards the giant torch above the stadium.

I understood the program mostly. There were some parts that I still wonder what the meaning of them was supposed to be. For example, the boxes with the Chinese characters on them, which moved up and down. For me it looked like an old Chinese typewriter.

I liked the opening ceremony very much. It was colorful and impressive. The drummers and the artistic performance where they recreated the bird's nest were the highlights for me.

I think they were soldiers. Because I have some insight into China, I think that I understood most of the symbolic meaning behind the program.

What is always quite odd for Germans or Western people is the marching of soldiers, but I felt it was performed discreetly. It didn't really bother me.