Video Slide Show

I took so many pictures it was easier making a slide show to a song popular in Beijing.  In english, the song translates to Beijing welcomes you.

enjoy

Back in the States, but lots left to post

A day at the Great Wall 

What can I say about China

As many of you know, I came here to work at the Olympics, so what can I tell you about China.

I have been here for three weeks and I swear I wouldn't even know the Olympics were going on. Beijing is a wonderful place.  Sure there is poverty, and other issues, but what makes a city? Or country?

I can tell you this, I have met some incredible people here, some I worked with, some just traveling around town.   Everyone was so nice!  One of the camera men I worked with came here two years ago.  I asked him why, he said he wants people to see what China has to offer. The way the western world views China is not the way he experiences it!  I tend to agree.  There is no doubt that this is a coming out party for China.  There are 1 billion people more here than in the states, and alot of issues to deal with, but this country is up and coming, and look out!

I would love to come back and see this part of the world in a couple years.  I hope that China moves forward.  I am glad that I came here for the Olympics, and even more excited that I experienced a city that didn't feel like the Olympics were even here!


Beijing I welcome another visit to you soon!  And I am so glad that I met so many real people!

Thanks

Some fun signs around town!

Late night working last night, so I am not typing much! enjoy the signs.

Oh yeah, and here is my challenge every time I log in!

Beijing Hutong

Images from the side streets of Beijing, the local neighborhoods

Athletes Village

A couple days ago I was able to get into the Olympic Village, where all the athletes stay.  This is a cool place, but humbling too!  You walk around, and all around you are athletes, Olympic Athletes at the top of there game.

There is a section where all the flags of all the participating countries are represented, some 200 countries.

And then you might see a scene like this, the China synchronized swimming team doing some on land training.

All these units in this complex are brand new, and I am told that they are all sold out.  The look much like any nice complex you would see in the states.

Experiencing the city of Beijing

Today, it was my mission to be a Beijinger! experience the city as a person who lives here!

So here are some snapshots out and about.  I walked from the Temple of Heavens to Tianemen Square, about a mile or so, through the neighborhoods.

Then I hopped on the Subway system and did two transfers.  I have to tell you, the subway here blows away any other subway system I have been on.  There are lighted system maps, in each car, that tell you the stop you are at, in red are all the stops behind you, and green are all the stops ahead of you, so easy to understand.  Plus in English and Chinese is the next stop, plus a warning if it is a transfer stop.  Very user friendly.

Plus, look how clean it is! and there is no car separation.  If there was no one on the subway cars, you could see from one end of the train, to the other.

Random Images

Down this little street is some of the Best Chinese food I have ever had!  We went there with a local, she ordered a handful of things, because we couldn't read the menu, and Wow, was it good.  I probably would never go in this place, if you just looked at the building.

Take a left instead of a right, and you might run into this scene.  This was not 10 minutes from the base of the Great Wall we happened across while looking for a place to eat some lunch.

I am staying at a 5 star hotel, and apparently, I have used a 4 star toilet!

A street view.

The scene on the road leading to the Great Wall.

USA wins Silver

Today I was able to attend the women's Gymnastics Final.  I never knew the crowd would be so rowdy at an event like this! I was a fun time.

The Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is a place where the Emperor use to go to pray for good crops etc.

Now people gather there and do all kinds of things. Take a look! This is a very interesting place.

One more from Opening Ceremonies

A view from row seven of the start of the Opening Ceremonies.

More from The Opening Ceremony

China, in many ways is exactly as we picture it.

This building is called the Dragon, note the three buildings making up its tail.

Look for the people.

Stay tuned for more!

Opening Ceremonies WOW!!!!

I am posting just a tease of what I saw last night at the Opening Ceremonies last night in Beijing.

Wow, if you are near a TV, Watch this show, and more will come later!

enjoy

The Olympic Green

This place is huge!  The Olympic Green is the area where most of the Venues are for the games.  A massive area that is completely new. Notice on the map, the shaded area, how much land this really is.

I think it is probably about 6-8 miles long, I walked about 2 miles of it, and yes it is still Hot and Humid here, about 95 degrees.  This whole area wasn't even here in 2004, and as of May, the streets were still dirt. Check out the history of the Olympic Green.  Click on the Panoramic view for details.

Here are some more pictures of the Green.