PEK!

What a day! arrived to Beijing last night (airport code PEK) after a fairly smooth trans-pacific flight...and jumped straight into Beijing life! Day One was all about rolling around town on a too small bicycle, checking out the parks, learning the ropes of LARGE intersection crossing and taking in the Olympics Opening Ceremony (at a restaurant and home better to not sit in the stadium for 4.5 hours in the sweltering heat) and the excitement and pride this event instilled in the Chinese people. The weather is hot and humid (low to mid nineties i would say),

To view a full size photo album and see videos, click on the following link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/meyer.ethan/BeijingDay1

Beijing is both alive and quiet during these Olympic Games. According to my friends here, huge numbers of people (mostly the folks who would add to the chaos and texture of city life) such as street vendors and migrant workers have been moved out of the city during the Olympics. As you have probably read, many efforts are being taken to reduce pollution and also make the city more manageable during these two weeks.

I have been impressed with the people, very accomodating of a large obviously foreign guy. Beijing is an immense city with all that a major cosmopolitan city would bring in terms of crowds, traffic, skylines, shopping, nightlife, restaurants etc. Meeting the ex-pat community is always interesting - folks from all over the world doing interesting things. It seems foreigners living and working here have a decidely global life style and an ingrained sense of adventure. Recreational activities for this community of jetsetters include mountain biking in Inner Mongolia and long distance races in the Sahara.

My host family (Brian is one of my best friends dating back to highschool) is Brian, Katja and Eliodoro. Doro is a four year old who speaks Mandarin, German and English. Katja is working as an events planner for the Olympics putting on Galas and will then work for the German Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Chamber Manager (Katja is half German and half Italian).

Off to see the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square today! Zai Jian (Bye)!