army day

So today is August 1, 建军节, the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, which traces its origin to the Nanchang Uprising of August 1, 1927. It’s also one week until the Olympics.

One week to go, I’m almost starting to look forward to it. The air is looking pretty good, has been since Tuesday’s wind and rain. And we got a good, thorough soaking yesterday afternoon, too, just to make sure. Yes, the air is looking very good: I can neither see nor feel nor smell nor taste it, as I could last week. If this weather holds the air might actually be really good for the Olympics. That would, unfortunately, mean that tougher traffic restrictions will not be implemented, but you can’t win them all. And good air is good enough.

Another thing the Olympics are bringing are helicopters. As the games have gotten closer more and more of them have been flying around here, usually in circles around BeiGongDa. Two days ago and then again this morning there were two apparently chasing each other round. From what I’ve been able to see of the colour schemes (and the light has not always been favourable), some of them are from the PLA, at least one from the Police, and still others seem to be from some commercial or civilian outfit. Presumably they’re here for security purposes, but sometimes I’ve wondered if the apparently civilian helicopters are filming or photographing the Olympic badminton venue, or perhaps even the campus as a whole, perhaps for promotional purposes.

Whatever, it’s been mildly entertaining hanging out the window watching them fly around- and those PLA helicopters have been big, old Russian Mils. Those are big, noisy helicopters and quite impressive when they fly directly overhead.

Well, I guess it would be a good idea to get on my bike and get out in this good, clean air again this afternoon.

About the Author

wangbo

A Kiwi teaching English to oil workers in Beijing, studying Chinese in my spare time, married to a beautiful Beijing lass, consuming vast quantities of green tea (usually Xihu Longjing/西湖龙井, if that means anything to you), eating good food (except for when I cook), missing good Kiwi ale, breathing smog, generally living as best I can outside Godzone and having a good time of it.

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