The Big Party

Above: The Bird's Nest, Beijing's National Olympic Stadium ($400 million, 100,000 seats) is scheduled to open this April. This pic I took from my camera phone while biking with me pops.

Everyday I am told that the 2008 Olympic Games will be in every way awesome, everyone will be overflowing with awe, the fanfare surrounding a spectacle of this magnitude will undoubtedly shake the world and bring upon the birth of a new age... a new China. And it goes on and on. I do believe that China is developing at a scary and unprecedented pace with dozens of communities going up at the blink of an eye and with modernization and openness spreading to every corner of the nation. And I do see the importance of educating the Chinese people in regards to civility, sports, and English in preparation for the Olympics. I understand the significance of hosting the Olympics for the first time ever in China and the importance of showing the world that China is a legitimate and friendly power with peaceful ambitions and a warm heart. I get it...... But the hype is driving me crazy, it's driving every expat crazy. Imagine you have a friend that is really excited about his two week party he wants to have in 5 or 6 years, and he brings it up everyday.

I don't know what people in Beijing are going to do after the Olympics. China loves short term goals. At most 5 years (like the Communist Party's popular 5 year plan). If the government doesn't put forth more immediate public-oriented goals or sign up to host another party, the people will be forced to look 10, 20, 30 years ahead - and that's not possible. 30 years ago most of them were memorizing Mao's little red book, starving to death, or beating their teachers. I don't think things will get that sour again but to a Chinese person (30 or even 20 years is enough to turn a country completely upside down). And sustainable stability seems like an inconceivable prospect considering the dozens of unresolved issues threatening China's economy, government, society, and environment.

It gives be goosebumps just thinking about all of them. This post is over.