Outside The Workers Gymnasium

There are almost as many police men in the city now as bicycles. And thats saying something. In Chaoyang district they are stationed every 50 feet, standing by the side of the road looking both serious and bored.

Police stand under umbrellas guarding the populace

Police on a bike in front of Olympic signs

A police man talks on the phone.

The only thing more common than police man now are Olympic signs, especially the five fuwa.

Behind all the bicycles and the police car, the blue Olympic sign has the birds nest on “One World, One dream ” in English, French and Chinese.

There are also hundreds of volunteers all over the city, sitting on street corners or setting up informations booths sporting bring orange armbands. Many of the volunteers are retired men and woman eager to share in the excitement.

An elderly volunteer in front of a “one world, one dream” sign.

A man bikes with his dog in Chaoyang district, an Olympic sign in the background.