…that the government has decreed (it can do that here): half the cars get off the road (odd-numbered plates on odd-numbered days, etc.). 3 new subway lines are to open. (Zhongguancun to Guomao; 2nd RR to the Olympic Village; and an express train to the airport) factories are to be shut down. all construction halts […]
An Important Reminder…
This sign is at eye level (if squatting of course) across from a toilet in a restaurant bathroom–somewhere in Dongcheng District.
I Want One Too!
One of the realities of living as an outsider (where I don’t belong) is missing out on all the fun guides and handbooks that the government distributes to its citizens. Earlier in the year the city government distributed hundreds of thousands of booklets instructing Beijingers on how to behave during the Olympics. It was basically […]
Wow!!!
They have been holding dress rehearsals for the Opening Ceremonies this week here. They even had a rehearsal of the fireworks display. The photographers from Reuters caught some of the action, and have posted some stunning photos on their blog. When the excitement wanes, I’ll just take a look at these.
Volunteerism with Chinese Characteristics
The Christian Science Monitor published an interesting article yesterday on the Olympic volunteers, titled “For Beijing’s Olympic Volunteers, the Rules are Many.” Ms. Cai, crisp and efficient in her bright blue Olympic volunteer shirt, has a list of instructions to remember. As a helper at one of 550 information booths being wheeled out across Beijing, […]
New Full-time Job
I’m thinking of taking on a new full-time job: keeping track of rumors in Beijing. Here’s just a sampling of some of the rumors making the rounds these days…..wait, I can’t put them here. There’s a ban on spreading rumors. Sorry about that. Some of them are doozies!!