day 278: [北京 (Beijing)] = 0km

Does Beijing feel that much different now that the Games are on?

I mean, of course there’s a lot of stuff going on around the venues - and I envy everyone who has a ticket to the competitions - but what about the city itself, where is it different?

I’ve been wondering about this question.

Obviously, some things have changed around here - for instance, there are less cars clogging up the streets. Also, taxi drivers are dressed up nicely and even seem to be driving more carefully. Not to forget the whole place is plastered with “Beijing 2008″ advertisements!

But does it really feel like a big international party everywhere? Is there really a spirit of brotherly love in the air? Are all people in the streets really radiating with joy?

I really don’t think so.

To me, it actually seems more like the whole city has suddenly advanced a few giant steps:

It’s quite impressive.

But just where is the Olympic Spirit?

So many factors can either help it grow or further complicate things:

- sports,

- politics,

- the media,

- corporates,

…

But I didn’t even bother to look for anything special in those domains.

Instead I found it every day and everywhere:

There it was, the Olympic Spirit radiating between millions of TV sets and even more millions of eyes focused upon them.

A people inviting the world to play.

Soundtrack: New Order - “Morning Night And Day”

—total: 3555,1km