Closing Ceremonies

Well. I didn't have a ticket to the closing ceremony.

I heard that there were going to be fireworks in like 19 places around the city. As I had no ticket to get into the Olympic Green, I decided to go to Tiananmen Square. I left for the square around 5ish... turns out the subway stations around there were all closed, so I took the bus. Even the ticket seller was like, "I don't know if the road will be closed or not." In addition to the guards, volunteers, and traffic police, there were soldiers at every intersection and bus stop. Swat tanks and vans were in front of a couple places along Jianguomen street (the street that runs right in front of Mao's picture on Tiananmen).

The bus made it no problem and I got off and made my way to where I thought I was going to watch the fireworks, but I couldn't get through. Everything was closed off. Apparently the fireworks were going to be set off down there--south of Tiananmen square. I was hoping to go there where they have large outdoor television, watch the closing outside and then watch the fireworks. To get to that area, I would have had to go pretty far west. Everything was all closed off.

So instead, on my way to where I could head west and then south, I changed my mind. I headed north, right next to the Forbidden City and ate in a small Beijing restaurant called "the taste of the city." I sat down there and ordered a bunch of food. I was really hungry. I had some dumplings and edamame and then a fried vegetable and meat thing (delicious). 

When the closing ceremony started I had finished my meal and was just having another beer. The restaurant was full now and I was drinking with two other guys. The three of us all planned on heading to Tiananmen to watch the fireworks. 

At about 9:15 we started making our way over to the Square. It was full of people, but really not too crowded. We sat on the ground for a bit and after maybe 10 minutes the fireworks began.

They were really something. If I ever figure out how to link pics and / or get around to putting them up, they probably don't do it justice, but it was amazing.

After that the crowds parted and had to walk a ways to get the subway as all the nearby stations were closed.

It was a great night.