Climbing Mount Olympus

Beijing is gearing up for the Olympics, which can be seen in all aspects of the city.

From the flowers planted on every patch of open ground to buildings shaped like the torch...

... to the now famous Bird's Nest.
The amount of preparation that has gone into this event is obvious. But, when I took this picture of the Olympic countdown clock last week, thinking about the excitement everyone must be feeling leading up to this major event, I didn't know that there was still something missing -- language skills.When I travel to a foreign country, I never expect anyone to speak my language, afterall, I am in their country. (It doesn't stop me from trying English, but I don't get upset when it doesn't work.) But, with the Olympics coming, the taxi drivers and other key personnel in the city were supposed to learn a certain number of phrases in English, since they would be hosting so many foreign visitors. I hate to say it, but that hasn't happened. I have met almost no one that speaks English, even basic phrases. And, unless the pronunciation is exact, they don't seem to understand a foreigner's attempt at Chinese.

My cab driver the other night spoke not a word of English and I had to resort to pointing and shouting. This doesn't bother me, but I can just imagine what this would be like for someone not used to being unable to communicate. I had the same problem in shops and restaurants. Almost all transactions were conducted through pointing and writing numbers. I worry about how visitors will cope when they need directions or assistance and how this will play on the international stage.

I hope this changes in the 57 days left.