This was awesome!

Contrary to all the pre warnings, there was No blockade. Also,  no need for any bunkering up, no police harassment, no cars, no annoying Anhui tourists, No annoying American tourists.

Just  a brilliant autumn morning in Beijing, the streets so quiet and deserted you couldhear birds chipping. people in yellow uniforms gathering around T.V’s or using their cellphones to watch that ridiculous ceremony, on par in stupidity with the Obama inauguration earlier this year, Enough restaurants were still open in close proximity, everyone who bothered to go out was in good mood. Seriously, one of the most enjoyable days I’ve had in Beijing.

Not much to say about the parade itself, as I ony watched a little bit of it. The girls in white boots were really cute, sure their appearance was demeaning and they are a disgrace for womankind, but who cares? they were pretty.  Just one more thing: I do hope somebody brought Jiang Zemin water when the cameras weren’t on him. The man is Old and shouldn’t be standing for so long.

What about average Beijingers’ thoughts of the parade? Well, from what little I saw, people were happy to have a day off, and many were gathering together in restaurants to watch the events. The mood was pretty festive though quiet, but many were still going about their business, running shops, doing laundry, food shopping etc, while glancing at screens here and there to see the procession.

Some in the neighbourhood took the time to go fruit picking near the MeiShuGuan

Tired performers on their way home