ATL Report – Atlanta News and Gossip

As I am going on three weeks here in Beijing, there are lots of stray thoughts and nagging questions I have about China.

Like why haven’t paper towels and napkins caught on here?  Usually you have to ask for a paper napkin and usually you get a “Kleenex” type tissue, a tissue to dry your hands in the wash room and to dab food off your chin at lunch.  I guess it works alright; I just have to resist the temptation to blow my nose.

Also why do the Chinese like to march in groups?  I can see it for the military security types at Tiananmen Square.  But I see groups of Olympic volunteers marching together.  I’m not talking about walking in a line but feet in lock-step and arms waving in sync.  The other day I saw some caterers carrying food and drinks to some affair; they were lined up and marching – serving trays and all.

Speaking of security, I don’t see how they stand at attention in this heat and humidity.  They are an imposing sight in full uniform, long sleeve jacket and cap, stoic expression and looking straight ahead.  I have seen them squinting, probably in pain, from the sweat running into their eyes.  I guess it would be bad form to wipe sweat off your brow when you’re in your “don’t even think about it” stance.  I just hope they get lots of breaks.

“Green” Thrash Can

The Chinese like to call these the “green” Olympics for their efforts to become more environmentally conscious. We have had some beautiful blue sky days this last week or so of the games.  I don’t know if it is the payoff for banning half the cars from the streets and shutting down polluting factories.  There are signs in my hotel room encouraging me to conserve water by reusing the towels.  The garbage cans around the city are divided into two sections – one side for garbage, the other for recyclable.  I’m sure the government never needs to send anyone around to empty the recycling bins, because there seems to be a lot of average citizens that scavenge plastic bottles and aluminum cans out of the thrash for some purpose.  There a little old ladies that collect bottles out of the garbage, crush them and stuff them in big plastic bags.  Men pull up in 3 wheeled bicycles with big baskets on the rear called “che kuang”.  It’s amazing how much junk they can pile on those things.