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8/14/2008 |
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OLYMPICS 2008 |
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Thursday, 8/14
Well, here is a bit of an alarming take on the Olympics and their effect on some of the common Zhonguoren (Chinese people). We expats living in Beijing have our favorite cab drivers that we regularly call. I did so last night to take me to the airport to pick my friend Brad Thomas up. Mr. X (so we will call my cabbie friend) responded to my question about having watched the Opening Ceremony. To my surprise he said that he wasn't interested. Next he said, "Zhonguo bu hao. Meguo hao" (China is bad. America is good). He then tells me he has no money, his child cries, and he must work day and night to make ends meet. Mr. X perceives if he lived in the United States he could work hard and advance. He sends his one 7 year old son to private school (tai gui le...too expensive), but he hopes that his son will study hard so someday he might be able to go to the U.S. or England to attend college.
I believe that some like Mr. X see all the glamour and glitter of the Olympics, but see prices for food and goods become more costly. He, on the other hand, sees little benefit personally. This is one of China's greatest problems...the gap between the burgeoning billionaire 1% and the Mr. X's of the great land of the Middle Kingdom.
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Heading to the "Cube"...don't worry...I am not wearing a Speedo! In fact I'm in rain gear. It has been raining all day. Got very wet taking Brad to see GuGong Forbidden City). I am always amazed at the sheer size of the Emporer's palace grounds. (He & his 53 wives). Now Brad, Tao my driver & I will catch the subway @ YinXia to the Olympic green. I happily buy Tao a ticket...he will help Brad & I maneuver our way to the natatorium successfully. Tonight we will see mens 200 meter breaststroke & 100 meter freestyle finals. Brad, on the other hand, was asked by the English girl he met to wear a speedo. (Actually she has a boyfriend...Gold medal hopeful, Peter Reed of England's 4 man rowing team). Oh well... what can you say. It is now 6 pm in BJ & in a few hours my sweet wife will wake up to her reocurring 39th birthday. Happy birthday, sweetheart.
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We made it to the cube...I'm rethinking the speedo...its hot & humid. We rode one ditie (subway) with 2/3 of the 1.4 billion Chinese jammed in our one car...then we transferred to the Olympic line that was almost empty. Taking our seats to Jia You (Give 'em gas) screaming Zhonguoren (Chinese) we sit down next to 4 people from Dallas! Go figure.
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Michael Phelps just dove in for 100'm butterfly...came in 2nd behind Cavic from Serbia...Olympic record setter.
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posted time 9:07:16 AM |
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