Blogging has been light for a few days. If you must know it’s because I was in Beijing. Soon, I’ll be telling you more about that, but for now I must say that I enjoyed the trip this time. One thing I noticed is the palpable nature of how the Olympic atmosphere is starting to really creep in. There’s tons of olympian construction everywhere, some of it quite nice. The city is really gearing up for this.
I’ver never had the slightest desire to attend an Olmpic event, but I may consider it this time. I imagine there’ll be an amazing atmosphere in the city in the Summer of 2008. I definitely want to be here to see it: the history, ther spectacle, the partying, etc. And hell, I might even go along to a sporting event!
Are any of you planning to come over for the Olympics? Why? Why not?
Ken Carroll
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I plan to be there. It is one thing to have the Olympics in a city like Los Angeles or London. But I think China has something to prove to the world with these games. It will be a great show!
I’m planning to visit Beijing (or anywhere in China) once a I feel confidence with the language. I hope before summer 2008!
To: Antonio
not to China, how can you improve you language ?
I plan to come over to watch the Olympics. I`d love to work as a volunteer, but I have no idea if that is possible as a foreigner?!? But my (Chinesepod supported) Chinese skills should be a plus
I have a house in Zhuhai and I promise my Chinese friends, that we will be staying there during the Olympics. I am also going to try to drag my European family and friends there.
We were in Zhuhai during the World Cup final and it was great to watch it with a few Frenchies (14 of them)and 2 Italians at 4 o’clock in the morning in a bar. Our Chinese friends had made stickers and anyone coming around had to wear one and decide for which country he was going. The bar was packed and it was very much fun. I had never thought that so many Chinese will follow it so early in the morning.
I lost (I am French) but I had a great time…
I was also in Beijing last week and it is true that everyone talks about it and you can feel that it is going to be extraordinary. I also met a few guys from the UK Olympics comity and they were very positive about the developments.I only wonder about the traffic jams, it took me 1h45 from the airport to my hotel… it was a huge mess.
dominique,
Zhuhai is a beautiful place and definitely a place I’d like to watch the sporting events with some good friends.
As to the traffic in Beijing – I really don’t think it’s going to be a whole lot better by 2008. Nor, to my mind, will the service be any better there. It can actually get pretty frustrating with clueless waiters and hotel staff if you’re working (as opposed to just visiting). I don’t see how all that could be solved within a year or two. By contrast, I think the level of service in Shanghai is generally much better.
Ken Carroll
I will be visiting Beijing for the 2008 Olympics and also attending some of the events. I’m a marathon runner and so I hope to make it to see both the men’s and women’s marathon.
Hope Chinesepod can give us a lesson on running long distance.
Forget about the traffic – what is the gov’t going to do about the air quality?!?! I was in Beijing two weeks ago. The smog was unreal. I couldn’t imagine doing any type of aerobic exercise in Beijing.
Well Ken, please feel free to spend a few days there at our place. We also love Zhuhai. It is not yet a huge city and it has that kind of pace that give you a smile all day long.
So you are welcome.
And hell, I might even go along to a sporting event!
Ken, I think gymnastics, judo and track&field are fantastic events to watch.
This Olympic stadium looks so weird !!!
I agree, the stadium has a different look. My guess is that in years to come, someone will say “What were we thinking!?!”
I like the look of the stadium- it’s like it is made of rubber bands.
As for air-quality, it is one of the gripes I have about Shanghai, and Beijing is no different. If the air quality was like that in a Western capital (like it is in BJ/SHG daily), people would be advised to stay indoors until it was had passed. The air is a chemical scented and definitely not conducive to aerobic exercise. I sure pity the marathon runners having to run over 26 miles in that. I have often heard that living in New York is like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, I wonder how many packs it is for BJ or SHG – maybe a carton.
How westerners can bring up kids in that when they have a choice to return to less polluted cities in the West is beyond me – they have their heads buried in the smog – it seems.
dominique
I am envious of you living in Zhuhai. What a beautiful place. I ran many many km’s along the sea there last year. I hope it does not get too spoiled as Macau becomes “Sin City”
Mike in Jubei
Hi Mike,
I also love the place there. I am now sitting in Holland, it is raining and the sky is so grey. But I will back within 2 weeks 1/2 to Zhuhai…
You are right about Macau and the development there. I also do not like the idea of a new LV next door. Besides they also plan to build a bridge between HGK, Macau and Zhuhai. I do understand the economical side of the decision, but I worry about “Zhuhai, the city with blue skies”. I would not like Zhuhai to become a new Zhenzen….
Anyway if you happen to run again in Zhuhai, stop for a coffee… you are welcome.
Hey! I am just living in Foshan, and I´ll need to move to Zhuahi quite soon. If I get it, I really would like meeting with “residents” there and making some friends. (I am from Spain and I am interested in Art Goods).
Anyway, Do you know the best way to get a house there (for rent o for sale). I have a lot of work here in Foshan and really no time for asking from here. Any especial helping adress?
Thanks and looking forward to seeing you there next year in lovely China.