Someone is listening

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I learned today that all of the licensed taxi cabs are equipped with microphones. I have to wonder, who is listening? The government? China's version of the CIA? It kind of reminds me of Cuba, where it was soon realized that the American student group I was traveling with was being followed everywhere by government officials. Creepy? Yeah, a little. (But of course, not one official person was present when I was brutally mugged in Havana!!!)

Now I notice the intensity of the traffic. Traveling the short distance between the Ritz and the program operations hotel (the Marriott) actually takes about 45 minutes in barely-moving traffic, but the taxi ride only costs about $5 USD. The drive takes us past Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. I look forward to visiting both sites, although shivers run up my spine as I recall the image of the T Square massacre, of that boy standing in the middle of the Square, so fatally standing up for what he believed in. Like the Challenger disaster or the first bombs that fell during the Persian Gulf War, the image of this tragedy is very fresh on my mind. I can't Google this 1989 event from within China - all websites are blocked. Weird indeed.

Today was a painfully long, grueling day of staff training - Information Download. About 100 of us sat in a conference meeting room at the Marriott, and were bombarded with facts and details about Beijing, the Olympics, and general program operations from about 9am until just after 7pm. It was hellish, but I have to say I am impressed with the Operations team I am working with. They are incredibly organized. They have a lot to take care of in a short amount of time, and are doing a good job thus far. We were each issued a program laptop and cell phone, and Visa cards loaded with the program per diem. We have received lots of great information about the Chinese people, society, culture, etiquette, customs - and the importance of absolutely avoiding getting into any arguments with the locals!

My day was therefore uneventful as it was spent largely indoors. I did venture to the grocery store to stock up on edible basics. Still silent in the face of this very difficult language, I should at least learn the Chinese letters for "No Meat". That would probably make shopping and eating a much easier experience. For now, I will be thankful for yogurt, fruit, and the international perfection of chocolate.

Incidentally, I learned today that the little wading pool in front of the lap pool is meant to clean one's feet before swimming. I guess it did the job - got my feet AND my shoes clean!

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Photos

mic
Microphone in the taxi - that little black thing in the upper right corner

the city
View of The Forbidden City from the road

Comments

[tammi]

fabulous!
so far, so good! i loved reading about your tales from the great empire... you are an amazing writer. you should do this for a living.