As of Sunday, half of the cars in Beijing must not be on the road, by government order, and thus there is a spike in bicycle sales. It is thought that this will help alleviate the pollution. The thing is, there doesn't seem to be that many cars, certainly not considering the 18 million denizens of this city. Shutting down the factories hasn't seemed to work yet. Three weeks is not enough time to get the air ready.
The sun is this scary orange bulb directly overhead, unsettling as it appears to be a full moon at noon. It is nothing to look directly at the sun - there is that much smog between you and it. Everything is hazy hazy hazy. Pictures don't come out well, your throat burns, your eyes itch, your skin is covered in film. You wheeze as you climb the steps of the Great Wall, slightly disappointed because you can't take the fantastic photos you hoped for - everything is covered in hazy mist. Instead you spend your time posing for the hundreds of school children who want to pose with you while their friends giggle and snap pictures. You can't see the Wall, but you are climbing on it.
Part of the area is under construction for the end of the Olympic Bike race. If the news crews are smart, they've been stalking out the scene, waiting for the one clear day to hit this city in order to get their requisite shot. You hope the runners will be able to carry inhalers as they round the track.
The sun is this scary orange bulb directly overhead, unsettling as it appears to be a full moon at noon. It is nothing to look directly at the sun - there is that much smog between you and it. Everything is hazy hazy hazy. Pictures don't come out well, your throat burns, your eyes itch, your skin is covered in film. You wheeze as you climb the steps of the Great Wall, slightly disappointed because you can't take the fantastic photos you hoped for - everything is covered in hazy mist. Instead you spend your time posing for the hundreds of school children who want to pose with you while their friends giggle and snap pictures. You can't see the Wall, but you are climbing on it.
Part of the area is under construction for the end of the Olympic Bike race. If the news crews are smart, they've been stalking out the scene, waiting for the one clear day to hit this city in order to get their requisite shot. You hope the runners will be able to carry inhalers as they round the track.
1 comment:
So random that someone just forward me this clip of a Beijing subway during rush hour: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DBv534qB9H0
Is this out of control or what? Have you taken public transport yet? I'd love to hear reports.
Love your blogging. Can't wait to read more.
Love, Kyra
Post a Comment