Olympic Fever

Although I do love the Olympics, admittedly I am super excited about the games in China and seeing some of our stomping grounds from only a couple months ago. Beijing wasn't my favorite city we visited but it was where I saw some of my favorites sites and learned the most about the Chinese ruling body past and present. I remember Beijing as a city with a lot of really crazy new architecture and outlandish design (you'll get a feel just seeing the Olympic structures) but by the government quarters around Tien'anmen square it still feels very strict and no non-sense. A member in our group who was there earlier in the day saw a government vehicle pull up with guards and pull a man off the square and quickly drive away. This is not a place to mess around. I also thought this was the place where you could feel the clash between the old and the new China. Although things are changing, the government is still an all seeing eye.

The Olympics were to start in just over 2 months from when we were there but buildings were still in the process of going up. Our guides told us that they were not worried about things being completed because they have crews that work around the clock and I don't doubt that they will be completed. The man power in that country is still hard for me to comprehend. I also think that the Chinese love to sparkle and they see this a stage to show their country's skill and power on an international stage. The Chinese can put on a good show so I am really excited for the opening and closing ceremonies. I can't wait until tomorrow. Go 'Merica!

Outside of Beijing hiking the great wall.

Members of the high court.

Corey and Grant displaying their athleticism playing Chinese hacky sack with the senior citizens at Jingshan Park.

Flexy man stretching at the pagoda on Prospect Hill.
Everywhere we turned this man was somewhere stretching.

Our posse cruising around the newly restored forbidden city.