This a Blog about Beijing

I'm really back in the swing of things now. Yessir, I went back to work today. Luckily, my friend Eoghan has been kind enough to let me stay at his apartment in Ann Arbor so I don't have to drive all the way home (1 hour 10 minutes, approx.). I'm in one of UofM's libraries getting out this blog.

I guess if I had to describe Beijing in one word it would be prolific. Everything there comes in olympic quantities. Want a modern highway? Beijing just built FIVE high-speed rings around the city. Want a modern subway? Beijing just built SIX new lines-- the cleanist I've ever seen. Want bike lanes? Beijing has one on every street just teeming with bikers. Want to meet some people? Beijing has 15 MILLION.

Of couse, the big deal in Beijing right now is the 2008 Summer Olympics. With signs plastered everywhere and a security check at every subway station, visitors cannot forget that they're visiting an olympic host city.

Even better are the throngs of young Chinese volunteering. Every young person I met seemed dissapointed that I wasn't staying for the Olympics. But they were sure to tell me how they had come all the way to Beijing from Hunan province to volunteer.

After seeing all the hype the Chinese government puts out for these games, I can no longer blame ordinary Chinese for being defensive about their country during the contentious torch relay through the West. This summer is China's time to shine. After so many years as a "second-tier" country, the people get to show off their hard work. Although this certainly doesn't absolve the government for its actions in Tibet or Darfur, Chinese citizens deserve this moment under the global spotlight.

As an aside, I'm having trouble posting photos into old posts, so I hope to have some up by the end of the weekend now. Thanks for waiting. In the meantime, check out my Mongolia Picasa album!