Day 3 finishes with a drive back to the hotel

The first picture is the Bird's Nest Stadium where the Opening Ceremonies will be held. The second picture is of two buildings under construction that seem to be vying for the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" award. We were wondering if they are going to be connected in some way.

Driving through the city was interesting--there was a mix of old and new, elegant and shabby, high tech and low. We saw some of the buildings being constructed for the 2008 Olympics next to dilapidated old apartment buildings. The guide said that the area was less then 20 years old, so it was surprising how rundown everything appeared.

Actually, the lack of attention to detail with every day things was evident everywhere. Even though our hotel was new as of March 1st, there were unfinished sections of the room and paint was splattered on the carpet and curtains. Compared to ancient artistic details, it was unexpected. The guide explained that with so much construction going on, unskilled workers are coming in from the countryside in great numbers, and they don't have time to be properly trained. I hope the underlying superstructure is better constructed! We keep reminding ourselves of how much development has taken place in the last 25 years, and are amazed at how how much actually has been accomplished.

Before returning to the hotel, we stopped for dinner at a very nice family style restaurant. The menu included: appetizer plate, rice, sweet & sour pork, cauliflower, spicy chicken, pork & green peppers, egg & onions, and fried cabbage. Finally came sweet & sour soup and sliced apples for dessert. The meal was served with Chinese beer and tea to drink, and was very good.

When we returned to the hotel it was 7 pm and we were VERY tired. I watched TV for a while because I found an interesting discussion of the Chinese economy in English. They said that 80% of the GNP was exported which was unprecedented in world history--and wasn't sustainable in the world economy. The American economist explained that the Chinese aren't spending enough. They are saving too much of their income as a protective saving. He thought China needed a social security and health program to protect the people. Then they could spend more and better balance the economy. It seemed to make sense from the American point of view: spend and spend; depend on credit; don't worry about tomorrow; but looking at where it has gotten us, I'm not sure if it's best.