Cross Talk: Should you stay in Beijing during the Olympics?

	Cross Talk: Should you stay in Beijing during the Olympics? Updated: 2008-05-10 07:44 YES Living through history is far more gratifying than hearing about it later. Experiencing the Olympics in Beijing will be like witnessing the unfolding odyssey through the eyes of Homer. It's a historical moment for China that will stick in the minds of many for years to come. Those who can't afford the already sold out tickets or hold no interest in sports can still find value in sticking around just to see how the city copes with the chaos that will ensue. After all, Beijing has poured resources into ensuring that everything runs smoothly. When the true test comes in August, I want a front row seat. Sure, a Beijing apartment can fetch a pretty penny during the Olympics. But passing up a priceless opportunity for a little extra spending money doesn't calculate in my book. Some are leaving because of crowds, as if they are not used to them by now. For me the flux of foreigners will present a protean playground perfect for expanding one's cultural horizons. Walking around the block will be equivalent to a journey around the world. Friendly competition will be the lingua franca of unity. With less than 100 days to go before the Games the volcanic energy bubbling throughout Beijing is growing increasingly vibrant. In a few short months the anticipation that has been compounding will erupt onto the city and crowds will flow through the streets like seas of lava. It is with an uncontrollable eagerness that I await the fiery fanfare. balaz2ta@gmail.com NO The crowds. That's the first thing I see when I imagine what Beijing is going to look like in August. A city of 15 million people might seem crowded enough, but can you imagine more than a million more hustling and bustling? I'm not talking about in the suburbs, I mean downtown in the restaurants, bars, parks and shopping centers, which are already packed to the max. Speaking of crowds, the masses at the ticket booths the past week have insured that it'll be next to impossible to get a ticket to any event. Even if I was at the front of the queue on Monday I would still have to drop a bundle just to buy a ticket to an event I probably don't want to see. No offense to the Hungarian women's handball team but lashing out a couple thousand yuan to watch them play is economically sound for me. So if you aren't going to physically be able to go to the games, it'll be the same on TV no matter where you watch it. What make senses is renting out your place. I've heard about places 20km outside of the city that are fetching $50,000 a month. Imagine what you could make with a nice apartment within the Fourth Ring road. If you want to sit at home watching the games on your TV, because you're unable to get a taxi to meet your friends at a bar, which is overcharging, you're nuts. At the same time, you'll be missing out on one of the best real-estate opportunities of a life-time, if you stay in Beijing for the Games. trevnichols@gmail.com (China Daily 05/10/2008 page8)