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Day 2: 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
2008.08.10
On the 2nd day of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the sun refused to shine. Instead, it hid under the grey smog / clouds / pollution but the heat was unbearable. I was profusely sweating and as I write this, I smell like a stinky tofu (well, a bit). ;)
Two friends and I went for a walk around the Tiananmen Square, the center of Beijing! There were thousandths of people who went through security check.
But, seeing how the Chinese people celebrate the first weekend of the Olympic Games is a sight that will be forever etched in your memory.
So, here it goes.....
Weather
This is how the weather looks like today.
A picture of Mao hangs on the Gate of Heavenly Peace, a very common landmark we could think of when we talk about China.
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On the 2nd day of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the sun refused to shine. Instead, it hid under the grey smog / clouds / pollution but the heat was unbearable. I was profusely sweating and as I write this, I smell like a stinky tofu (well, a bit). ;)
Two friends and I went for a walk around the Tiananmen Square, the center of Beijing! There were thousandths of people who went through security check.
But, seeing how the Chinese people celebrate the first weekend of the Olympic Games is a sight that will be forever etched in your memory.
So, here it goes.....
Weather
This is how the weather looks like today.
A picture of Mao hangs on the Gate of Heavenly Peace, a very common landmark we could think of when we talk about China.
1
At the subway, Line 10.
12:23 p.m.
This is a new subway that opened last July 19, 2008.
Where are the people?
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At the subway, Line 10.
12:23 p.m.
This is a new subway that opened last July 19, 2008.
Where are the people?
2
Subway Transfer Station between Line 10 and Line 1.
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Subway Transfer Station between Line 10 and Line 1.
3
Goumao Subway Station, Line 1
A group of Greeks.
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Goumao Subway Station, Line 1
A group of Greeks.
4
Inside the Line 1 subway train.
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Inside the Line 1 subway train.
5
A child in Olympic fever.
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A child in Olympic fever.
6
Father and Child.
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Father and Child.
7
This is national shirt since the beginning of Olympic Torch Relay in March. Today, it was EVERYWHERE....
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This is national shirt since the beginning of Olympic Torch Relay in March. Today, it was EVERYWHERE....
8
An empty bottle collector inspects the trash can. He can sell it for a few cents.
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An empty bottle collector inspects the trash can. He can sell it for a few cents.
9
They're twins. It was a good thing that the parents were kind to give in to my request to take a photos of their boys. The one on the right was furious. :))
I guess, he was afraid of me.
The head band says, "Go, China!"
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They're twins. It was a good thing that the parents were kind to give in to my request to take a photos of their boys. The one on the right was furious. :))
I guess, he was afraid of me.
The head band says, "Go, China!"
10
At the underpass going to the main Square of the Tiananmen.
People queued up for a lone scanner.
Aside from putting our bag on the scanner, my friend and I were told to open our bags. We were luckily / randomly handpicked. :))
Do we look like a terrorists?
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At the underpass going to the main Square of the Tiananmen.
People queued up for a lone scanner.
Aside from putting our bag on the scanner, my friend and I were told to open our bags. We were luckily / randomly handpicked. :))
Do we look like a terrorists?
11
My friends doing imitaing hard the Dancing man, the Olympic Logo!
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My friends doing imitaing hard the Dancing man, the Olympic Logo!
12
Young party member? .
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Young party member? .
13
Go, China, go!
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Go, China, go!
14
East side of the Tianamen Square.
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East side of the Tianamen Square.
15
A guardian of One World.
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A guardian of One World.
16
Olympic Fever is everywhere!
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Olympic Fever is everywhere!
17
Picture taking here and there!
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Picture taking here and there!
18
The Victory sign is Chinese trademark pose!
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The Victory sign is Chinese trademark pose!
19
A guard guarding the flowers? :))
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A guard guarding the flowers? :))
20
The countdown billboard registered zero.
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The countdown billboard registered zero.
21
Guards in three (the other one not shown) march in around the Square. There were a lot of them going around.
And yes, the last one is me. ;)
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Guards in three (the other one not shown) march in around the Square. There were a lot of them going around.
And yes, the last one is me. ;)
22
Band of Brothers....
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Band of Brothers....
23
At 4:11 P.M., we went to the newly-opened Qianmen. This is the oldest street in Beijing. It opened last week with a new look: new buildings and some parts are not finished. A lot shops are still unoccupied.
When I arrived, three years ago here, I stayed in one of the hostels here. It looked like a Chinatown in China--not just the unique Chinese colors and ancient architecture but even the smell. ;)
No, it's not raining. It was sweltering heat even if the sun was nowhere to be found.
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At 4:11 P.M., we went to the newly-opened Qianmen. This is the oldest street in Beijing. It opened last week with a new look: new buildings and some parts are not finished. A lot shops are still unoccupied.
When I arrived, three years ago here, I stayed in one of the hostels here. It looked like a Chinatown in China--not just the unique Chinese colors and ancient architecture but even the smell. ;)
No, it's not raining. It was sweltering heat even if the sun was nowhere to be found.
24
Then, SUDDENLY, at 4:19 P.M., a rain shower came.
It was just a sprinkle....
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Then, SUDDENLY, at 4:19 P.M., a rain shower came.
It was just a sprinkle....
25
A bit more of sprinkle....
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A bit more of sprinkle....
26
And then...the heavy downpour....
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And then...the heavy downpour....
27
That's her daughter. She's big enough, isn't she?
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That's her daughter. She's big enough, isn't she?
28
Very Chinese.
When the rain comes, expect a view like this.
It's a clever way not to get our shoes wet. ;)
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Very Chinese.
When the rain comes, expect a view like this.
It's a clever way not to get our shoes wet. ;)
29
After 40 minutes, the rain stopped.
And the order of the day continued....
#16 makes me anxious, #22 makes me smile :) Amazing geometry at #2, interesting invention at #29, fine colours and composition at #21. Absolutely fantastic reportage.
Wonderful reportage for the 2nd day of Olympic Game.
For shot #12, Do you know that the "Olympic Logo - the dancing man that your friends doing imitaing" is the second Chinese writing "-jing" of "Bei-jing" !
Very heavy rainfall as I noticed in television. Continue your reportage for today for us ! Thanks
This series around Beijing are wonderful. Thank you for sharing them. I feel like I have a "reporter on the spot"! Take care that you don't get arrested... you're such a clown in #22! Love your work.
