Visiting the Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympics will take place in Beijing .China has recently becoming more developed for tourism (although some parts are still closed). The “bamboo curtain” has lifted and China really wants visitors but critics have brought forth objections.

I recently went to China including several Olympic sites to review what visitors may expect. Visitors will see that China is very modern especially as they also manufacture most of the goods we consume.

Beijing (aka Peking) the capital is having an ongoing facelift in preparation for this summer. It is a very large city of 17 million with a flat grid like arrangement with 8 ring roads encircling it making city traffic navigatable. Traffic was fast and efficient with street signs in English although not all cab drivers can understand it. Mainland Chinese speak Mandarin not Cantonese and it is important to have destinations clearly written in Chinese characters.

Pedestrian traffic can be dangerous as many drivers make some deviations so be very careful when crossing the street.

Travelers should bring their own medications since it may be very difficult to refill specific medications. Over the counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol and Imodium were very difficult to find so bring your own.

The essential vaccines for Beijing would be a tetanus booster and Hepatitis A. Other vaccine could be considered for extended trips.

I usually offer a prescription for a broad action antibiotic to be taken in case of traveler's diarrhea.

Beijing is notorious for being polluted. When I was there during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Years) the Beijing sky was a beautiful blue since the factories had been shut down for 15 days and strong winds removed pollutants. This is expected as well during the Olympics but these strong winds also bring in sandstorms from the Gobi desert, adding to the air pollution so air quality is not guaranteed during the Olympics and travelers may wish to bring a face mask.

Recent conflicts between China an Tibet have cast the Olympics games in controversy.

These conflicts are unlikely to affect travelers attending the Olympics but visitors are encouraged to check www.bonvoyage.gc.ca to review Canadian advisories on personal safety.

Human rights issues are important but I see these Olympics as a positive opportunity for Western people to open a dialogue with China that may be continued and this includes discussion about Tibetan freedom, Sudan and other issues.

I argue that boycotting the Olympics could set back opportunities for discussion.

I am also pleased to announce that several Manitoba students from Iles des Chene's own Le Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy school will be performing at the opening ceremonies at the Great Wall being one of 8 Canadian schools invited. Having young people travel to exchange ideas and culture is one of the best ways to keep communication open

For those not going to Beijing the may consider the future Shanghai 2010 World exposition.