Betty: May 2008 Archives

People's Olympics

- on May 22, 2008 6:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Speaking of the impending Beijng Olympic Games, I always wonder what it will be like when the most populous nation and the most enigmatic culture open their arms to the most popular multi-sport event and the most participative and diverse spectators in the world.

I can't be sure neither how grand the opening and closing ceremonies will be nor how many medals each of the participating countries can earn, but I do expect it to be one of the greatest Olympics Games, with good reasons of course.

Despite of the sporadic ill-advised boycotts and criticism that tried to politicalize such a sport and culture pageant of all nations, all of which almost always ending up with more crashing waves of counter criticism, things seem to have worked out pretty well to this day, especially for the ordinary people of Beijing and all other Chinese people.

The 13 billion Chinese, as well as other nationalities working in Beijing and the partner host cities or living in the adjacent countries, are sincerely embracing the advent of this festive season.

To showcae a New Beijing, Great Olympics, and create a Green Olympics, Hi-tech Olympics, and People's Olympics, everybody is mobilized to show his or her commitment and determination, to share their pride and joy, and to shoulder the chances and challenges for this great game.

There are taxi drivers trying hard to learn basic English phrases, populace observing the torch relay with intense passion, Chinese artists, calligraphers and painters donating their priceless artworks as gifts for foreign friends, private car owners willingly reducing the usage of their vehicles in support of pollution prevention, the construction of suchs massive avand-garde Olympic venues as the National Stadium "Bird Nest" and the National Natatorium "Water Cubic" being brought into completion which is way earlier than the set schedule, and tens of thousands of others from across the country volunteering to assist in all aspects of this holistic wonderful event.

History also tells us, time and time again, that when the resolved and resilient Chinese say they are ready for something, they really mean it!

I hearby express my support to Beijing Olympic Games and my firm belief that the benefit of the 2008 Olympics will be ever-lasting and the Olympic Games will be forever more successful!

Beijing Cab Drivers

Betty

- on May 14, 2008 6:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've mentioned before that it's said that taxi dirvers in Beijing are overly talkative. They surely were!

After several concrete experiences of riding in a Beijing cab, I can safely come to the conclusion that there is rarely one moment when a Beijing cab driver keeps his mouth shut.

They seem to be the know-all in town and anxious to know it all about you: what's so heavy in your bags, who's calling on your cellphone, why in a hurry, why not some music, where do you come from and stay in town, how do you like the city, the weather, the food, the day, the road, and various other topics of samll talks.

And it's so weird that, as prying as it may sound, you might not feel the slightest trace of offence in most cases. Probably because of their warmhearted attitude, and their witty way of conveying the conversation.

Even when it comes to a guest who is prone to keep most of the feelings to herself, like I am, they can still manage to mutter to themselves all the way from the spot you hail the cab down to your final destination.

My formative education of Beijing Olympic Games was indeed given by a cab driver over my twenty minutes ride in his carriage.

And it was his idea to make a detour to the National Stadium, aka Bird's Nest, which was under construction. Here is a photo taken from inside the car.

Beijing vs Shanghai

Betty

- on May 7, 2008 6:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This topic is much of a cliche, at least for native residents coming from these two places.

From the official point of view, Beijing and Shanghai are always prioritized as the first and second city of the oldest continuous civilization in the world.

But the comparison between residents, as well as all other aspects about the two cities, has constantly brought into hot debate, on the internet, in the press, or by word-of-mouth.

While the rest of the world think fairly high of both cities, Beijingnese and Shanghainese look down upon each other fiercely, as they do with other ethnic Chinese, the latter attitude being actually understandable, since they simply stand out, as the elite groups of richer, better-educated, more open-minded people.

As far I can tell, the special feeling of superiority towards specifically the other group of folks can be generalized as follows: Beijingnese are disgusted with Shanghainese's overdone snobbery, shrewdness and standoffishness, while Shanghainese hates Beijingnese's forever brag and boast and boorishness.

I surely don't think any of this would be totally it or would do any justice to either side. And I'm not gonna buy any of the arbitrary conclusion that either Beijing or Shanghai is a better place.

But have I mentioned a customary saying I overheard the other day? The whole sentence can be loosely translated into: Beijing is China's Beijing, Shanghai is the World's Shanghai.

This makes much sense to foreigner visitors, for whom it's simply a matter of choice. If you wanna take in some insight into the profound ancient Chinese culture, Beijing is the place to be. If you wanna conquer the culture shocks with ease, invest on Shanghai.

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