The city is huge, there are people everywhere, but as a sports fanatic, it doesn't get any better than this. Olympic fever has hit the city of 15m people in a big way.
You can certainly question some of China's methods in preparation for the Olympics, but Beijing is a magical place right now.
I've been here for four days now and I have yet to see any of Beijing's top attractions. I've been too busy soaking up the atmosphere, enjoying the patriotism of the Chinese people, and their friendliness, and stuffing myself with the most ridonkulously good food.
One minute I am in Tian'anmen Square marvelling at the Olympic statues and figures, and within 10 minutes I'm in the jacuzzi in the adventure pool of my hotel, and an hour later, I'm having unbelievable Chinese food in a hutong with local Chinese people!
I've granted myself some luxury and am living on the corner of Wangfujing Street, the main shopping street, and Dong Chang An Avenue, which is only 300 metres from Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. In the centre, it seems almost everyone has a Beijing 2008 T-shirt, there are volunteers everywhere and the police presence is large, but not intimidating, although the officers could smile from time to time.
The Beijingers are so happy that the Olympics are being held in their back yard. They don't seem to mind the restrictions placed on them during the Games. Taxi drivers must wear ties (sent to each of them by the Government) even though it is at least 30 degrees celsius. Cars are only able to drive in the city on alternative days: based on odd and even numbers plates corresponding to odd and even days of the month. Many residents have been sent pamphlets on how to behave during the Games: no public spitting (very common amongst men and women), no rolling up your top and showing your belly in public (a man thing), smile at foreigners, don't shake hands for more than 3 seconds, girls with large thighs should hide them, and it goes on! Sadly, i've been told many of the street food stalls have been forced to close, which is a shame as the food is supposed to be excellent.
It's so easy to get around town, yes there are lots of cars, but i've never been stuck in traffic. Fine they are only allowing half the city's cars in on any given day, but the Beijingers want to do it, so who are we to knock it. The subway is also very cheap and efficient. Security checks don't seem to have halted the transport network. All bags must be scanned before gaining access to Tian'anmen Square, but despite the masses, it only took a few minutes to get in. At Heathrow, this would take hours.
I have to mention the smog. The first few days I was there, I didn't know what all the fuss was about - beautiful clear skies. However, the next few days were very different - couldn't see more than 100 yards into the distance. I say suck it up and move on - no athlete is likely to be in Beijing for any longer than 2 weeks and it's the same for all.
I have been very lucky in that I have been shown around by sisters, Whitney and Erika. They are cousins of Adam's and have been teaching English in Beijing for 4 years and 1 year, respectively. They have given me the local experience, especially when it comes to food.
I've had some of the best food i've ever tasted and so much variety. The highlights have to be the Sichuan hotpot at Haidilao (with the public noodle making performance) and the double spice chicken wings in a hutong, so spicy that they keep on bringing you toilet rolls for you to wipe your nose, tears and sweat! Forrest, an ex English student, was loving it, but in pain at the same time. It was so hot, we both ate with our tops off - I felt Chinese except I don't have the belly.
The variety of bars is amazing! Nanluogu Xiang is a fantastic road with handicraft stalls and many cafés, restaurants and bars, many open 24 hours. On Saturday night, Cici, another ex English student, had her leaving party before heading to New York. It turned into a crazy mess ending at 5am, but only after a round of "flatliners" and some pole dancing with her at Club Kai - she's pro, I'm clearly not. After chicken wings on Monday night, the girls left Forrest and I to explore the city. After walking around Houhai lake and through several hutongs, we ended up at the tiny "Anna's bar" just off Nanluogu Xiang and stayed until 6am.
It really was a fantastic few days and the Games haven't even started yet. After a few days exploring Mount Tai, considered the holiest mountain by the Chinese, Qufu (pronounced choo-foo), the birthplace and residence of Confucious, and a few days in and around Shanghai, I will return to Beijing to see some of the events for real: swimming, rowing, athletics and women's beach volleyball! Can't wait!
Pics to follow later.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
1 comment:
Wow, dude sounds like your having a fantastic time!! Can you smuggle any of those spicy chicken wings back?? ;-)...or at least find out the recipe and get Jenthi uncle to cook some up :-P
Sooooo jealous!!
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