Fernando and I went to check out the Olympic venues and village on day one of the Olympics. Here's what we saw. It was pretty packed and if you stopped, for example, on a pedestrian bridge, the security people would wave you on. So you can imagine, it's heavily guarded and most people can't get within 200 feet of any Olympic building. There were many scalpers. The government gave as much as 75% of the tickets to Chinese and most of the tickets were through a lottery system. If you got picked in the lottery, the ticket was 10USD. Now you can imagine what a profit they are making when they are selling them for in most cases 8-10X as much! I don't know, I would like to go to at least one event. But I can't say for sure it's going to happen. And along the walkways around the venue area, there were many people capitalizing on the Olympic spirit. There were several men on bikes where people would take pictures with them like they were famous. Come to find out, they biked around the country in the name of the Olympics. Fun touristy stuff.
The funniest story comes from an American we met in the entrance of the subway. He has a grant for research on Olympic swimmers through University of Georgia. I don't know what about them he is studying, but they sent him over here paid with hotel. However because of the Chinese government's strict regulations on who gets tickets/deck passes, no one on the Olympic swimming team or University of Georgia program could get him tickets. So he's in Beijing, no ticket in, and can't interview or meet with the Olympic swimming team. So he has to either scalp tickets or do his research when he's on the flight back with them.
The Water Cube and Bird's Nest. Check out the security gate.
Ta hen ke ai (He's cute.)
The closest most spectators can get to the Bird's Nest is from the other side of the 4th ring road. That is, if you don't have a ticket.
The Olympic flame. Notice the gray sky. That's pretty typical for Beijing.
This building is supposed to resemble the Olympic flame.
2 comments:
China, congratulations!!!!!!!!!
"08-08-08" Olympic Games!!!!!!!
I can't imagine what an interesting snapshot of humanity (and international relations) you're getting. I'm glad you're soaking it all in! Must be quite a trip. :o)
Post a Comment