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beijing just before the olympics (jm) SERIOUSLY INSANE PIC OVERLOAD

Posted : 8/5/2008 1:31:28 PM

ok, i'm sorry, i cant chose. sun finally came out today around 4:30pm, so i spent the rest of daylight hours walking around the area where i live to take pics of beijing, a lot of them with olympics stuff.... a lot of them didnt turn out as well as i would have hoped, but i'm learning. hehe

this is just outside my compound. old man walked into my picture and the second one didnt turn out as well.

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0650.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0651.jpg[/IMG]

olympics flags:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0656.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0655.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0653.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0652.jpg[/IMG]

almost all street signs now have a "beijing 2008" sign attached above. this is right on my street:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0657.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0658.jpg[/IMG]

taken from the a pedestrian bridge:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0659.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0660.jpg[/IMG]

here you can see my vet and the pet store next to it on the right side of the pic.

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0661.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0662.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0663.jpg[/IMG]

flowers (some arent focused properly, but it was so sunny, i could barely see... lol)

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0668.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0667.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0666.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0665.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0664.jpg[/IMG]

olympic volunteer stand:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0670.jpg[/IMG]

beijing electric bus.

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0672.jpg[/IMG]

worker's gymnasium. this is where the boxing events will be held (this gymnasium is really old!!):

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0674.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0675.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0676.jpg[/IMG]

this is the building where i live. the picture is taken from the exact same spot as that last one of the gymnasium. if only my apartment didnt face the other way! lol:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0678.jpg[/IMG]

more olympics "stuff":

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0680.jpg[/IMG]

flower close-up. in one of them i caught a bee flying into the flower. didnt realize it, until i got home! Smile

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0681.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0683.jpg[/IMG]

a nice green area right off to the side walk. people really make use of the nice atmosphere:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0687.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0688.jpg[/IMG]

olympics signs:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0689.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0690.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0692.jpg[/IMG]

these are street signs that normally bare regular advertisement. i have quite a few of these. they show different disciplines...

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0693.jpg[/IMG]

these guys are reading the paper, which is hung in these things everyday. god knows why Big Smile

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0695.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0696.jpg[/IMG]

more olympics signage. you guys have to realize i am taking pictures ever few meters here. THATS how much signage there is!!

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0706.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0704.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0703.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0702.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0700.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0697.jpg[/IMG]

this is the worker's stadium. in the first picture you can see bits of beijings most famous hip-hop club, which of course is closed during the olympics, because it's inside of the stadium's gates:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0707.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0708.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0711.jpg[/IMG]

street sign

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0712.jpg[/IMG]

side walk pics:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0713.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0714.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0715.jpg[/IMG]

these guys are playing chinese "chess":

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0716.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0717.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0718.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0719.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0721.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0722.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0727.jpg[/IMG]

street sign

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0728.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0729.jpg[/IMG]

bycicle parking lot.

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0730.jpg[/IMG]

soooo many chinese flags everywhere!

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0731.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0734.jpg[/IMG]

sidewalk in front of the new mall:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0743.jpg[/IMG]

another street sign. and a closeup of what they all say on the buttom. lol

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0746.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0747.jpg[/IMG]

ok, so here i am turning into one of the busiest bar streets of beijing:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0748.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0749.jpg[/IMG]

more volunteers:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0750.jpg[/IMG]

sidewalk. this is still the mall- sidewalk from before. just from the side of the bar street.

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0752.jpg[/IMG]

you guys seen kungfu panda? dunno why there's a statue of him here, but it made me chuckle....

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0753.jpg[/IMG]

more flower close ups:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0756.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0759.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0762.jpg[/IMG]

cool grafitti:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0765.jpg[/IMG]

intersection on the other side of the bar street:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0772.jpg[/IMG]

more flags:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0775.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0777.jpg[/IMG]

another street sign..

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0778.jpg[/IMG]

side walk. just on the right is the canadian embassy. that's why there's a fence :)

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0779.jpg[/IMG]

street signs

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0780.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0782.jpg[/IMG]

flags:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0781.jpg[/IMG]

right behind this flag is my hairdresser Smile

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0791.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0792.jpg[/IMG]

more olympics stuff:

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0783.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0784.jpg[/IMG]

here i am just truning into my street again (from the other end)

[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k76/janetmichel3009/IMG_0794.jpg[/IMG]

i gotta say that was exhausting today. the HEAT!!! i was so sweaty after that, it wasnt even funny!

hope you enjoyed. and again, i'm sorry, it's so many pics....

snownose

Posted : 8/5/2008 1:39:47 PM

Thank you for posting these pics......

Can you keep us up to date once the Olympics start? That would be so awesome having a first hand reporter with pics......:)

janetmichel3009

Posted : 8/5/2008 1:41:30 PM

hehe, sure! i'm not actually going to any of the events though....

i was actually gonna go to the birds nest today, but i was afraid, i'd get in traffic and just miss the little bit of sunlight i had left. will go next time it's sunny!

VanMorrison

Posted : 8/5/2008 1:44:45 PM

Wow!

I really enjoyed seeing all your pictures. I'm thinking that you should take pics at some of the locations during the olympics so that we can all share with the craziness!

Thanks for the virtual vacation Big Smile

chelsea_b

Posted : 8/5/2008 2:00:48 PM

"Beijing Welcome You" That's funny! You'd think someone would tell them to add an s before they printed the posters and put them all over the city...

Cool pictures! They're getting really into it huh? Thanks for posting them Janet.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 8/5/2008 2:21:20 PM

van morrison, i will see how close i can even get. not sure really how crazy things are gonna get, come friday... but i will definately try... :)

chelsea, it really is so lame with the signs. you know they had a campaign to get rid of bad signs in beijing, just for the olympics? they had a hotline you could call, if you saw a sign that was "wrong". and then this. "beijing welcome you"... i'm just glad, that even with all they change the olympics has brought, i still get to chuckle over idiotic signs... Big Smile

thanks guys :)

Chuffy

Posted : 8/5/2008 2:50:51 PM

Wow, thanks for sharing Smile I really enjoyed looking through your pictures. You must have looked like a tourist on your own street *giggle* You should have worn a back pack and carried a map and phrase book Smile

You're really liking that new camera aren't you.......

nymaureen

Posted : 8/5/2008 2:58:26 PM

Thanks so much for the (Van Morrison's words) "virtual vacation". That was just great. I too would like to see some more pictures come Friday.

Thanks again.

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 8/5/2008 3:03:09 PM

Wholey carp, Janet, you're smack dab in the middle of it all, aren't you? The Beijing Welcome You signs crack me up. Thanks for sharing them with us. :o)

janetmichel3009

Posted : 8/5/2008 3:46:57 PM

Chuffy

Wow, thanks for sharing I really enjoyed looking through your pictures. You must have looked like a tourist on your own street *giggle* You should have worn a back pack and carried a map and phrase book

You're really liking that new camera aren't you.......

haha, you know i saw all these tourists today, and i really did feel like one of them at times. but there's something to be said about carrying a big black camera, and just making a serious face. you feel less like the idiot tourist and more like a "photographer". i'm sure far from it, but the people around me dont have to know. Wink

yes, i sure am enjoying that camera! Big Smile

marty_ga

Posted : 8/5/2008 3:56:15 PM

Another vote for more pics! I really enjoyed seeing a part of the world I'll probably never get to!

I remember when the Olympics were in Atlanta, no one from here wanted to go...Atlanta was crazy enough to drive in without adding more to the confusion. I'm curious....here they were asking people all over the state to take in visitors or rent their homes to them, and people thought they could really make some money from that. I don't think it actually happened that way, but are they doing the same thing over there?

janetmichel3009

Posted : 8/5/2008 4:02:50 PM

oh yeah! rent has gone through the roof over here since last year already. home owners have done that in hopes of keeping people out, so they can make big money renting during olympics. however getting a visa to come to china has been a nightmare for many, and having tickets has in no way ensured that, so rent has been dropping quite a bit since the last few months, although it's still not back to its original levels, much to my dismay, since i am trying to find an apartment.

hotels are charging up to 10 times the usual amount per room and will simply refuse anyone who isnt staying for the whole 3 weeks! not sure how that has worked out though....

i hear they have built a lot of accomodations on campuses (sp??) of the local univesities, which will later be used as dorms. these are supposedly quite cheap, so i think most visitors will probably go down that route, unless they really do have the money...

Chuffy

Posted : 8/5/2008 4:08:56 PM

janetmichel3009
Chuffy

Wow, thanks for sharing I really enjoyed looking through your pictures. You must have looked like a tourist on your own street *giggle* You should have worn a back pack and carried a map and phrase book

You're really liking that new camera aren't you.......

haha, you know i saw all these tourists today, and i really did feel like one of them at times. but there's something to be said about carrying a big black camera, and just making a serious face. you feel less like the idiot tourist and more like a "photographer". i'm sure far from it, but the people around me dont have to know.

yes, i sure am enjoying that camera!

Sometimes we get tourists around here and they take pictures of EVERYTHING. And they stand in pairs or groups and smile and squint and point and chatter.... so if you were on your own (sans phrase book) you probably DID look more like a photographer Smile

BCMixs

Posted : 8/5/2008 4:29:07 PM

Thanks for all those pics, it really is interesting to have someone who lives there and is familiar with the area posting and commenting on all the goings on! I wonder, do you know how many languages the volunteers speak? I'm just wondering how people from countries other than those that speak English, Spanish, and Chinese will fare trying to get around and find things.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 8/5/2008 5:18:24 PM

BCMixs

Thanks for all those pics, it really is interesting to have someone who lives there and is familiar with the area posting and commenting on all the goings on! I wonder, do you know how many languages the volunteers speak? I'm just wondering how people from countries other than those that speak English, Spanish, and Chinese will fare trying to get around and find things.

you know i was wondering that myself. i always wanted to ask, but i'm not good about going up to people to talk to them. (unless i've had a few drinks Wink ) i will ask around... but i doubt they speak many languages...

beijing just before the olympics (jm) *SERIOUSLY INSANE PIC OVERLOAD*

beijing just before the olympics (jm) *SERIOUSLY INSANE PIC OVERLOAD*

beijing just before the olympics (jm) SERIOUSLY INSANE PIC OVERLOAD

beijing just before the olympics (jm) SERIOUSLY INSANE PIC OVERLOAD