The torch is coming

On Sunday the 15th June the police had come along to move the street vendors on. This is a common occurrence and happens about once a month. After a couple of hours the street vendors are back. But this time the police stayed. They set up guard stations.

On Monday they were still there. The street appeared lonely and had lost is bustling metropolis feel.

Walking back from the gym I stopped to ask a Bung Bung driver whom I knew spoke minimal English what was happening. With the help of two other older Chinese men it was established the Olympic torch would be coming down the street.

How exciting!!! The torch will start at Mt Tai (that's the mountain that took me 10 hours to climb!) and come pass the school on the 25 July. I will be able to witness part of the relay at a very close vantage point.

How sad! The street vendors have been moved on. The Chinese do not want the world to think they are backward so the street vendors have been moved to an area that is not visible from the street. The street certainly feels sad, lost and lonely without their fresh produce.

On the 25 July tune into the news and look for the torch from Taishan. I should be easy to spot. I am one of 20 foreigners who live here. Therefore my skin is white and my hair is not black!

Look out for the update in my blog - Torch has arrived!