Finishing our trip in Du Jiang Yan, a city not far from the epicentre of the 12th May Sichuan earthquake was a humbling experience. 7,000 people died alone in this city, 4,000 of them children in six schools that collapsed during classes. We had read the statistics before coming, 70,000 dead, 5 million made homeless and about the immense response from the Chinese people but we had not expected what we saw. Walking around a series of refugee temporary housing, we talked to people who were generally very friendly and happy to see us. The camps were well set up, extremely well in fact, much better than I have experienced in my 15 years covering conflicts and disasters around the world. Nearly every room had a TV and most were showing the Olympics. Rather than what we had thought would have been a negative reaction to the money being spent in Beijing, the people here seemed overjoyed at China's success.
Tonight we return home, tired but glad we embarked on this trip. Sitting in the stands at the beach volleyball in Beijing and looking down on the photographers rushing around to get the perfect sports picture I was glad I was on this journey and not with the other photographers. I guess my interest has always been people and this Olympics has had an enormous impact on the people of China. One student in Zhaoqing told me, "after these Olympics when someone asks me where I am from, I will be confident to tell them I am Chinese." This was the sentiment throughout the cities and towns we have visited. China will undoubtedly be stronger as a result.
Labels: Team A
The past few weeks of travel and storytelling have raised interesting questions for me. It has made me think about my future, China's future, the world's future. Its given me insights into a complex country and insights into the complexity of humanity. I've valued this experience greatly and hope to continue on the story telling path soon. I hope everyone who's followed our journey has enjoyed what they've seen and has learned something. I know I have....
Labels: Team B
Typhoon Nuri upset our plans to get to the earthquake area as all flights were cancelled from Guangzhou yesterday. We are now waiting in an airport hotel for news of a flight to Chengdu.
Labels: Team A
In the heat we have come to rely on fans and air conditioning but last night we had a black out and was left to sleep on the floor next to the windows. A hot and sticky night. Many Chinese still sleep with little to cool them, it's worrying to think that when this vast nation all ask for the basic luxuries we take for granted the planets energy consumption will sore.
Labels: Team A
We came to Qingdao by D-express train from Beijing. It suppose take 4 hours but we spent 6, that means, we didn’t feel the real speed as our plan. Somebody said that because the project is not all finished but I think its for the security reason. I have been Qingdao couple of years ago and I can feel the difference when just walk out the train station.
Qingdao divided new town and old town and the new town looks beautiful and clean. It cost 3.3 billion RMB to build the training base for the Chinese team which to prepare the sail of Olympic Games since 7 years ago. Fortunately, Chinese sailor Yin jian got their first gold medal which creates the record and makes Qqingdao people so happy. They make color firecrackers to celebrate this moment. An old man stand next to me said, this gold metal balanced the expenses of the preparing on this games……
Labels: Team C
Well, there's really not much to say about Ge'ermu or Golmud as its spelled in English. Although getting escorted to our train by the worried police, it was an uneventful trip west. There's not much to do or see in this city besides desert, and salt. So, we took a drive to see both. Well... There you are... deserts.... and salt....
Labels: Team B
After arriving in Zhaoqing I decided it would be useful to climb the local mountain for an establishing shot. At 37 degrees in 90% humidity it was not my best idea, but I made it and the view was worth it.
With its crag like peaks sticking out of large lakes Zhaoqing is a beautiful place. We are told we have been very lucky with the weather as in summer it is usually unclear.
Labels: Team A
Finishing our trip in Du Jiang Yan, a city not far from the epicentre of the 12th May Sichuan earthquake was a humbling experience. 7,000 people died alone in this city, 4,000 of them children in six schools that collapsed during classes. We had read the statistics before coming, 70,000 dead, 5 million made homeless and about the immense response from the Chinese people but we had not expected what we saw. Walking around a series of refugee temporary housing, we talked to people who were generally very friendly and happy to see us. The camps were well set up, extremely well in fact, much better than I have experienced in my 15 years covering conflicts and disasters around the world. Nearly every room had a TV and most were showing the Olympics. Rather than what we had thought would have been a negative reaction to the money being spent in Beijing, the people here seemed overjoyed at China's success.
