Formally ending an Olympics that was as much mystery as majesty, the host nation unfolded its arms, threw back its head, and howled.
There were silly flying drummers, a human tambourine composed of thousands of shimmying women, and chugging unicyclists rolling giant glowing circles.
There were guns shooting confetti into the stands, gymnasts bouncing on stilts, and Power Ranger look-alikes soaring up and down on ropes just for the heck of it.
In the closing ceremony Sunday, after two weeks of an Olympics that was run as sternly as the thousands of soldiers who guarded it, the Chinese finally let that guard down.
They allowed athletes to break human barriers and run around the National Stadium screaming and waving what appeared to be bottles of booze.
They allowed David Beckham to kick a soccer ball into a crowd.
And, oh my, they even allowed Jackie Chan to sing.
"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world," said Jacques Rogge, International Olympic Committee president, in his closing address.
Those giant booms that filled the National Stadium throughout the night were not only fireworks, but Rogge's sighs of relief.
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