Beijing is changing, 北京改变了

I've been outside of Beijing for more than a month now and coming back yesterday and I can strongly say: it is changing!! It seems it's been a while, but it also feels it was just last week that I left the city.

The weather is still cold, but now I've had clear sky in these last two days. You can actually see stars at night.

Just when I came out of the airplane, I could see that things have changed right away. Inside the airport, there were more signs that would direct your to your proper direction, there were special waiting lanes for Olympic athletes and service was quick. Outside, the taxis don't wait in huge lines anymore, but asked to park on the left side and wait for clients to pick them up from there. It seems more efficient and is more foreign-friendly especially for those coming to Beijing for the first time.

As I was going by subway today, I noticed that inside, on the TV screens the Olympic Committee is educating the people on all the Olympics sports. When I was traveling they were showing Field Hockey and explaining all rules and regulations: how wide is the goal, how are the players equipped, how to play, showing a combination of live action and computerized graphics. They want people to know what they will be looking at.

The cab drivers, today I got to meet two, both were asking me on how to say "Left" and "Right" and other basic stuff joining the Olympic spirit that is building up in here.

Something has not changed yet... the Chinese food, I forgot how good it was and how badly I missed it. Beijing, I'm back!!