As I came close to the city, I saw more and more people moving to the center of the city, many of them with two flags; red Chinese flag and the Olympic flag.
Yes, it was the day that Olympic torch runners were coming to the city. Everybody was gathering to see the big event.
Since there were so many people coming, police regulated private vehicles or bicycles coming in the center at some junctions. People then walked. The line was as long as some kilometers along the pavement on the road.
It was my way as well to go to the next town. A policeman told me to take another way. But I lost my way and came back to the same road where people were walking. The city was too huge. There were some other bicycles as well that were not stopped by police. There were other policemen as well, but they didn't really care bicycles going by. I reached to the center faster than many of them.
There was already crowds of people waiting for the runners. The flags were given free on streets. I saw some women on bicycles wearing red costumes. Maybe there had been some performance by them already.
I wondered if I should stay and watch the event as well. But I wasn't sure when they'd come. Since the line was so long, it could have been hours later. I left, unfortunately. Not everybody was into the event though. I saw many were playing cards in a park or doing something else. However, the atmosphare of the whole city seemed exited. The two flags on so many vehicles, bicycles, or in hands of people.
9 July 2008, 咆斗, 2812km
