LnR 068 Olympics 2: Opening Ceremony

(In the podcast I gave the wrong number for this episode. It should be LnR 068.)

Best wishes to my listeners in Rio. I bet your city is crazy right now! Busy, crowded, excited!

Here are some words I use in this episode: abstract, indigenous people, slavery, immigration, urbanization, parkour, flag bearer, national costume, overcome with emotion and refugees.

Two friends are talking:

A: What did you do last night?

B:I watched the Opening Ceremony, of course. What about you?

A: Yeah, I watched it, too. My favorite part was the supermodel, Giselle Bundchen.

B: Of course it was.

A: I also liked the parkour. That's where the guys and girls run and jump from different things in an urban environment.

B: Urban environment?

A: Yeah, a city.

B: OK, but I liked all the symbolism of the show and the beautiful colors and costumes.

A: I didn't understand a lot of it.

B: That's because a show like this is so abstract, not clear and literal. They tried to show the indigenous people, European discovery, slavery, immigration, urbanization, and then global warming.

B: Yeah, I found a lot of that boring. I'm not interested in art and culture like you are. I had a snack in the middle of it.

A: Barbarian! Just joking. I also loved the parade of nations. I like to see who the flag bearers are and what their uniforms are like. I think the ones wearing their national costumes are the most interesting.

A: I remember the flag bearer from the island of Tonga! And the athlete from Bolivia who was overcome with emotion.

B: Yeah, and the standing ovation for the special team of refugees.