Beijing, China
July 27 - 30, 2001
More Photos
|
|
Our Travel Experience
Going to the Chinese Consulate in Singapore for a visa was our first step
towards visiting China. The office was incredibly efficient. We dropped
off our passports on a Monday morning and picked then up four days later
on Thursday morning. Each visit to the consulate took less than 15 minutes
total. During the second visit, we were standing in line waiting to pay
for our visas when a man came up to Seth, thrust a marker into his hand
and said "please sign", "please sign" while pointing to a poster laying
across a table. The man then said "please sign, Beijing Olympics 2008,
where you from?". Seth, marker in hand, says "Chicago" and the man quickly
calls a photographer over to take a photo while Seth signs the poster supporting
the Beijing Olympics. His signature was totally illegible. Then, Tara gets
handed the marker and she also signs her name in support of the Beijing
Olympics.Again illegibly.
Welcome to China.
Neither one of us would have signed a poster in support of the Beijing
Olympics if we hadn't been in a situation where it was obviously expected
that we sign. We were never given the freedom to choose whether or not
to sign, the pen was simply thrust into our hands with the order "please
sign". Therefore, we now feel indoctrinated a bit into a society without
complete freedom. To get along, you just shut up and do what is expected
of you.
| Category |
Rating |
Comments |
| Overall Experience |
- |
|
| Ease of Journey |
- |
|
| Accommodation |
- |
|
| Activities |
- |
|
| Coolness |
- |
|
Tourist Info
