http://www.beijingboyce.com/2008/08/19/beijing-an-olympic-city-on-display-warts-and-all/ A Somewhat Young China Hand on the Local Drinking Scene Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:20:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.beijingboyce.com/2008/08/19/beijing-an-olympic-city-on-display-warts-and-all/#comment-65230 Dynamic Tourism, China, Business » Reflections on the Olympics Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:03:02 +0000 http://www.beijingboyce.com/?p=1436#comment-65230 [...] (most of the time, until you hear my friend’s story) but not imposing, the city was clean (almost sterile), the new subway is sleek and modern, and people were friendly and helpful. Everything was very [...] [...] (most of the time, until you hear my friend’s story) but not imposing, the city was clean (almost sterile), the new subway is sleek and modern, and people were friendly and helpful. Everything was very [...]

]]> http://www.beijingboyce.com/2008/08/19/beijing-an-olympic-city-on-display-warts-and-all/#comment-62362 Dan Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:40:28 +0000 http://www.beijingboyce.com/?p=1436#comment-62362 Boyce, you need to buy a scooter. Petrol is very cheap, and I paid 1000USD for a brand new 125cc black scooter a few years back in BJG- as cool as the batmobile. Labour is virtually free and plentiful - so although the bike broke down quite often (usually minor stuff) it got fixed within minutes. Boyce, you need to buy a scooter. Petrol is very cheap, and I paid 1000USD for a brand new 125cc black scooter a few years back in BJG- as cool as the batmobile. Labour is virtually free and plentiful – so although the bike broke down quite often (usually minor stuff) it got fixed within minutes.

]]> http://www.beijingboyce.com/2008/08/19/beijing-an-olympic-city-on-display-warts-and-all/#comment-62312 Tom S Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:37:26 +0000 http://www.beijingboyce.com/?p=1436#comment-62312 To be honest I can;t agree with the perception that Beijing driving is "might is right & pedestrians last". Beijing drivers are pussycats. Try the Arab world - Beirut would be a good place to start. Traffic lights there are just nice colourful decorations. Or Dubai - where the boy racers have enormous 4x4s instead of Nissan Micras. In Beijing, drivers are looking for an excuse to stop the whole time. Oh look, a green light. Better slow down, it might turn red... To be honest I can;t agree with the perception that Beijing driving is “might is right & pedestrians last”. Beijing drivers are pussycats. Try the Arab world – Beirut would be a good place to start. Traffic lights there are just nice colourful decorations. Or Dubai – where the boy racers have enormous 4x4s instead of Nissan Micras. In Beijing, drivers are looking for an excuse to stop the whole time. Oh look, a green light. Better slow down, it might turn red…

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