Beijing 2008

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Having just finished twenty four days in Beijing, I have the following recommendations for changes they should make before they host the Olympics in 2008. Because of course they will ask me.

1) Improve traveler comfort in airport. (see previous post)
2) Improve subway system. (There are plans in the works for this.)
3) Hire many native English speakers to proof read. ( "We give you bank, your money. and more, we give you another one!" "Warn: Do not scramble the escalator" "To remain fit: no spitting." While the errors produce merriment, they do not promote understanding.)
4) Line the mountains with giant fans to push the mud hanging in the air out of the city. (I know it doesn't sound feasible, but neither does the Great Wall.)
5) Introduce a campaign to curb public displays of human waste. (They have signs all over to tell people not to spit... I think taking care of sewage would rank as a higher priority, but maybe that is just a result of my ignorance and the effectiveness of their "No Spitting" signs.)

I think it would also be helpful if they included some tips among the inflight movie options as to how to catch a taxi (which kinds can stop where and which ones won't stop for you at all and which ones won't allow four passengers) and other miscellaneous information that would keep you from feeling rather hopeless when you realize that the man who asked you "Where are you going?" was really only just using his one English phrase to ask if he could take a picture of you.

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