在香港7天
在花了两半连续两年在中国大陆没有休假，这是期待和忐忑，我最近越过南部边境，进入中研院天文所€™最富有的城市。
尽管其一站式购物的普及与内地需要的新衣服和新的签证的外国人，我真的不知道会发生什么事情的前殖民地，据说甚至富人觉得差。 而严格的反向文化冲击吓坏了，我因此保存了英语为母语的香港，其AœOne国家，两种Systemsâ€自我为我的旅程横跨中国32个省份的尾部。
正是在这里，我汇报，我所有的成见和对香港的担忧wereâ|真实。 引述赞赏的美国作家托马斯·A·卡特（me!），短暂的逗留后，他在传说中的中国城市 - œI’VE从来没有觉得更差比我在香港时是Kongâ|我从来没感觉比我在香港Kong.â更丑陋€
第1天：跨深圳香港罗湖边境和捕捉完美无暇的九广铁路，立即留下深刻的印象，没有人盯着，推推搡搡或随地吐痰。 抵达Kowloonâ的半岛南部，从地下冒出灯的土地 - “尖沙咀。 兴奋当头，我要问，身披纱丽的美丽都大厦是一个印度妇女的宏伟组。 他们指出他们的黄金环的手指直线上升。 参天，铁锈斑斑的混凝土块，香港Kongâ的唯一负担得起的住宿。 我检查到一个幽闭的宿舍里（三次内地的宿舍，小的3倍的价格），然后点击弥敦道。 窥视到的霓虹灯，在人群的挤压跳闸，我感觉就像在北京的民工回。
第2天：早上6点醒来我绊倒后一个漫长的夜晚在bunkmates之一。 他的名字是帕特，一个年轻的长红头发的美国背包客的引进立即冗长的叙述一个关于他的两个星期的小家伙们多在香港，包括与神话 - œAsian女孩谁LOOOVE外国guys.â得分€当我对抗，我从来没有这样的运气，快说话，但可爱的帕特proffers一些袖套建议（ - œDude，失去beardâ€）发射到更多有用的信息之前。 - œItâ™星期天，没关系，thereâ的我一样，他们只有一天掀起了120,000菲律宾保姆和女佣€“和男朋友寻找！ - 我有点可疑啪嗒€™小号的概括，但果然他的手机响不断从崇拜清洗女士的电话，他会见了日之前。 下午漫步皇后像广场周围，确实揭示了成千上万的野餐南亚妇女（香港Kong’最大的移民社区）的集体喋喋不休听起来就像一个大群的海鸥文字毯。 当我试图坦率地拍摄一个有吸引力的年轻菲律宾，她呼喊“œHey！ ，我klick JOR屁股！ - 这么多获得一个日期。
第3天：实地考察香港石澳海滩上Islandâ的南侧，品尝柔软的沙滩和亚热带中国南海飞溅。 据说这个地方是挤满了上周末，但是这是平日，没有？ 它的那些时刻，当我享受失业。 追了一个惊人的摩天大楼，这似乎完全被修建灯晚上远景达太平山乘坐电车，我在阳光下的乐趣。 dafnit，敬畏Å“我们的言论，香港的天际线，显然以色列女孩在以色列没有高楼大厦。 哦waitâ|我们有一个 -
第四天：花一天时间穿越九龙，尖沙咀的时装广告牌到破旧的按摩院广告牌转向我西北下来弥敦道的小街，太阳失去了横向延伸遍布大街小巷的霓虹灯背后的悬崖下。 旺角市场团团围住，穿制服的学生午休：长发男孩与untucked的白衬衫和放松的关系，并取得女孩的小衣服了一个的日本kogal /无尽的幻想：膝盖高的黑色丝袜，短裙子和一个路易·威登的包来进行他们的铅笔和书本。 他们有纹身，舌头穿孔和抽烟。 后发表评论，他们是在中国最时尚的学生，我见过，一个15岁的男孩用完美的英语答复， - œYes，如此凉爽，但young.â€
第5天：我想看看另一半的生命，并在香港中环花一天Islandâ对资本主义的一个缩影。 通过一个上午的污染瘴气百年历史的天星码头及白领人群按照商人争到各自的摩天大楼与手机，公文包和拉塔©小号十字维多利亚港。 后来许多设计师的妇女在百货公司购物的“观察”这必须是妻子。 我注意到，他们都抓住自己的钱包，我走，那么为什么我赶上反射发瞥见自己的中国银行大厦ADE。 自我意识投我的头，我几乎翻了劳斯莱斯（行驶的道路，该死的英国人错误的一边！），然后再几乎双层缆车。 位于中环的每个人都必须对我。 我的不安全感是坚定了当晚在兰桂坊，高档餐厅和酒吧Islandâ€北部的悬崖gentrified邻里。 陡峭的街道拥挤年轻，做westpats敬酒敛财的又一成功的一天。 我不能€™吨相信有这么多白的人在中国舞台上€™吨英语教师！ 他们都衣冠楚楚，并整齐干净的头发，我穿着截止军队的裤子，低顶假匡威，一个八岁的T恤，我买了，也没有我剃掉或削减我锁在八个月IA €™去过的道路上。 我想属于，但我不€™吨。 它的那些时刻，当我感到遗憾的失业。
第6天：我给岛上另一个机会，并采取夜间过海渡轮到北恩达的老年人和seedier夜总会，臭名昭著的湾仔。 记得它是其中理查德·梅森写下他1950â禁爱的故事，“€œThe€尽管世界发生了很多变化苏丝黄，因为他写了Å€œtake1minuteâ的漫步中心和wonâ €™吨看到European.â欧元回升酒吧还行的道路，yum的yum的女孩吸引路人到他们的霓虹点燃的窝点，但这些都是苏丝黄的非婚生女儿，而不是中国，但泰国的异议，戴不优雅的丝绸旗袍，但便宜超短裙提出不正派的高度。 而不像南角酒店的亲切的女士们，这些现代化的日常工作的女孩是恶性的，唯利是图的，冷的。 当一组很失望的白人男孩从一个地点出现感叹，“€œIn泰国，他们脱下自己的衣服，塑料去，去靴棕色皮肤的门女孩是快喊回来， - œThen去泰国 - 再往下骆克我跟一个年纪较大的欧洲人引饮料和大量可爱的花束的女孩寻找慷慨的公司调情的情侣。 他们的安排后，其中一名男子斜靠在我倾诉，“œWymife，我的意思是我的妻子认为，IA€™米*打嗝*在conference.â其余的女孩给这个可怜的作家一个粗略的一瞥，然后快速横穿马路离我而去。
第7天：醒来时我感到沮丧和阶级;中央唐娜€™吨的外籍人士要我，也不湾仔海旁的女孩。 采取尖沙咀周围漫步，通过友好结挂在重庆大厦前面的第三世界混混，九龙移民聚居区，为香港提供临时宿舍Kong’的财政无力偿债é运移：©小号。 街角兜售从克什米尔对我说：“€œThe红楼梦是任何人都没有穿柔和的短裤或西装stay.â我意识到这是唯一的地方，我真的觉得家在香港多元文化的疯狂大锅。 非洲人从来没有安静的前面的步骤总是高五的我，所有的巴基斯坦人认为IA™M穆斯林（必须是胡子），印第安人蝙蝠在我自己的睫毛。 重庆大厦是任何人没有一个国际出没的地方，我是其中之一。 这是1peasantâ€的顿悟 - “在香港，我的A€〜nongmin.’
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中国收紧签证限制附近作为奥运会
笨拙地坐在一张大桌子周围的十几人从旋转的盘片拿起食物的点点滴滴，从高大的室温啤酒瓶喝着。 那里是一个郁郁寡欢的质量，到了晚上，十几组装的客人，英国人，加拿大人和美国人曾来中国教英语，考虑他们对即将离任的签证限制的帐户。
“我告诉他们，并不是说他们被驱逐出境，说：”戴安娜湾，的巴蒂尔英语学校经理。 “这是中国政府的政策。 没有什么，直到奥运会结束后，我们可以做。“
作为夏季奥运会的临近，外国人都发现，他们此前预计的欢迎垫被突然卷起。 成千上万的外国人已被踢出今天的最后期限之前，作为一个严峻的新的签证政策的结果。 那些被迫离开包括nondiplomatic支持在大使馆工作人员，外来务工人员，自由作家，艺术家和学生。
到底有多少外国人必须离开中国仍不清楚，因为政府已经发布了有关签证政策的变化，最低限度的信息。 注册为北京居民约11万外国人，大约相同数量的生活和工作在首都旅游，学生或投资者签证。 许多这些签证在六月底到期，将不再更新。
同时，大多数中国大使馆和领事馆不再发出超过30天的有效性和潜在游客的签证现在有显示酒店预订，机票和其他文件。
其中人物非不受欢迎的是许多年轻的西方人低租金吸引，前铁幕背后的一个热闹的咖啡馆和酒吧场景和生活的嗡嗡声，素质作出布拉格，捷克共和国的首都，外籍人士最喜爱的最后十年。
“我们希望到这里的生活方式，说：”24岁的纳坦Doyon，从英国搬到中国儿童教英语与女友去年。 他说，他的学生很沮丧时，他告诉他们他无法更新他的签证，他们央求，“不要去。 我们将帮助你隐藏。“
现在他和女友打算尝试越南。
因此，许多英语教师正在被迫离开，许多私立语言学校，最近的向上流动儿童的愤怒，夏季关闭。 其工作人员留下的只有三个以英语为母语，巴蒂尔削减了一半的夏令营，并可能减少秋季计划。 巴蒂尔，这是由英国链拥有广告，它提供了英语为母语的人。
“如果我们不能履行这一承诺，我们什么都没有卖，”万说。 “我们失去了很多钱。”
新规定是那些预言，是夏季奥运会的主办城市，将加快北京转变成一个现代化的，更多的国际大都会失望。
“你有奥运锁定排序。 中国已经决定，他们不能留下任何机会，所以他们已经关闭了很多北京金玉米说，“谁在这里已经住了12年，媒体分析师。
而不是压榨预计为奥运会，8月8日开始，旅游业是大幅下降。 在5月到北京的海外游客数量从去年五月下跌14.2％。
中国政府通常收紧周围的重要事件，如共产党代表大会的管制。 但奥运会，其国际性质，应该是不同的，吸引了50万外国人在什么作为一个巨大的未来出党宣布中国在世界舞台上的到来计费。
“这是非常令人失望。 已经有很多关于奥运会的不亦乐乎。 我们认为游客会来，将预订的餐馆，人们会作出了很多钱，说：“林，刘珍，美国食品作家和黑芝麻的所有者，在北京的烹饪学校。
奥运会是不是唯一的因素。 在三月在西藏和周边地区的暴力抗议活动的爆发清楚地扰乱了中国政府和全国各地的领导，以高度的安全。 五月的里氏7.9级地震四川省吓怕人可能希望结合自己的奥运旅行的熊猫瞄准中国西部之旅的游客。
之间的业务正在遭受的酒店。 截至5月底，北京五星级酒店预订只有77％和四星级酒店奥运期间预订的44％，根据城市的旅游局。
中国和外国的公司已经被迫取消，因为获得签证的问题，会议和商务旅行。 中国外交部已几乎消除了多次入境签证，允许总部设在香港的外商进入大陆通勤每周几次。
“它不只是一个短期的刺激性，但它可能对外商投资在中国的长期影响，如果人们开始谈论移动企业到越南或其他东南亚，美国商会会长说：”理查德Vuylsteke商务部在香港，一再抱怨的
攀登中国长城
这么多的已书面和发表的关于中国的长城，但有一点是肯定的，如果你出差到中国访问这个世界著名的地标，那么你的行程是不完整的。 长城的历史，这是很难理解的，但据说在公元前七世纪初开始在战国时期修建隔离墙。
中国长城是世界人工奇观，这标志着中国的伟大。 用了一千多年的功能，长城始建提供一个稳定的生活，文化和政府的北方部落的入侵，以保护村庄。 这堵墙的历史，是什么促成了中国在政治，经济，文化和旅游方面的增长。
长城的长度延伸约6700公里，穿越沙漠，高原，从中国边境的匈奴在北方领土。 美丽的长城是这样的，你可以不欣赏它的美丽，但你爬一步一步。 这是更好地看到从空中的角度来看，如果你是飞机或直升机。
在远古时代，它被称为“长城万里（一里一英里的三分之一），其建设，为保护不同的王国建土方工程开始。 每个王国有其自己的部分墙体;喜欢在东部地区，建墙的石块和砖块，而对中国西部的部分与耐用的材料，少建。 墙上的个别路段后来装修，并连接到另一个在秦王朝（221 - 公元前206年）时，当秦始皇招募农民，士兵和农民工作，在墙壁上。 这一传统持续了几百年，直到添加到各个朝代的高度，长度和设计通过强迫劳动的墙上。 墙壁现在已经成为了来访的中国游客的重要里程碑。
爬上中国长城可以从不同的部分，所有这些服务的目的不同。 最适合登山和观光的四个主要部分，是八达岭，慕田峪节，司马台长城节和Shixiaguan节。
在八达岭长城成为一个墙，因为当它始建战国时期的战略点。 作为首节向游客开放的墙，它已连续攀升约140万游客的记录统计。 本节建立巨大的酒吧石块重达数百公斤，在每一个距离瞭望塔。 这些了望塔，在昔日的军事部署点。 墙上的这一部分是非常拥挤，这是访问量最大的部分。
司马台长城位于北京东北部。 它的开工建设，在明朝和措施，约5.4公里，35座敌楼。 墙上的这部分保留了其原有的功能，并赢得了声誉是最美丽的部分墙壁。 不同于其他部分，司马台长城的部分是非常安静和远程和挑战追求冒险爬在本节的许多远足。
慕田峪长城节，是长城最保留的部分，在中国军事史上，这是非常重要的。 本节缆车，让游客到年底移动到其他安装。 它是略有崎岖，充满了绿色计划，使它的墙面绿化的部分。 慕田峪段长城，因为这部分独特的风格和建设的本质指出。
shixiaguan长城是向游客开放的长城大部分仍然显示了从古代的一些老建筑的废墟。
总之，伟大的中国绝对是一个必须看到，在您下次访问中国。 为了让您享受您的游览周围的墙上，最好是在中国的旅游经营者的咨询服务，以协助你的行程。
介绍：加拿大渥太华的资本和令人兴奋的旅游目的地
在我即将前往渥太华下周末的期待，我已经开始做一些研究和接触渥太华旅游。 作为加拿大首都渥太华，是加拿大最受欢迎的旅游目的地之一，它有一个伟大的各种目的地，活动和事件来提供。
1。 请提供一些有关渥太华的一般信息。 多么大的城市，它位于，是什么样的天气？
渥太华四季分明，最热的温度和湿度过高有时在七月和八月;温带与华丽的秋天的颜色秋天寒冷和多雪的冬季和潮湿的春天。
渥太华是从主要的金融中心，在加拿大和美国的几个城市，包括纽约，华盛顿，芝加哥，费城，底特律，亚特兰大和更多的直航访问。 渥太华是温莎魁北克城走廊沿线主要通过铁路和巴士服务站还与加拿大其他城市连接的城市。
3。 渥太华是加拿大的首都，并在这个国家的历史上发挥了重要的角色。 请告诉我们，在渥太华，加拿大遗产提供的经验，我们更多。
维多利亚女王下令在1857年，渥太华将成为加拿大的国家资本。 雄伟的国会大厦建成后不久，并保持了“必须看到”在资本的吸引力。 作为首都，渥太华也是24萨塞克斯道（总理的住所，并没有向公众开放）;丽都厅家总督导游住所和花园提供，以及高佣金的几十个和来自世界各地的政府的大使馆。
4。 请告诉我们一些主要景点，博物馆和画廊在渥太华地区。
其他的Bytown博物馆，它告诉渥太华的早期的历史，包括丽都运河建设;的比林斯村博物馆，追溯1突出本地家庭的历史;和的时髦Diefenbunker，加拿大的冷战战争博物馆，四个博物馆多层地下掩体是在1959年和1961年之间建造的位置，加拿大的政治和军事精英将走出核攻击的影响。
在渥太华的节日场景是一个强大的，全年的事情。 雪祭，前三周末在二月举行的一个巨大的冬季节日的一年揭开序幕。 今年三月，爱尔兰社区庆祝爱尔兰周，并在三月和四月，枫糖季节滋生了美味的节日和活动，庆祝这个好吃的东西。
5月下旬作为渥太华比赛周末的一部分带来加拿大最大的马拉松比赛。 夏季，节日比比皆是：门打开渥太华展示文物建筑;意大利周;渥太华艺穗节的TD加拿大信托渥太华国际爵士乐节;的北电网络渥太华龙龙舟赛节;思科系统渥太华Bluesfest（加拿大最大的）;“渥太华国际室内乐音乐节（世界最大）;声光烟花节，渥太华街头艺人节，渥太华GreekFest，CKCU渥太华民间艺术节;加拿大中部展览;和傲慢周。
在秋天，加蒂诺热气球节色的天空;而LA Vendemmia丰年祭引诱观众的口味。 渥太华国际动画节展示了来自世界各地的艺术家，而“渥太华国际作家节，作者生动的辩论提供了一个论坛。 秋季狂想曲庆祝灿烂的秋天的颜色。
6。 有关餐厅和娱乐/夜生活在渥太华地区的怎么样？
伊利近街是另一种流行的夜生活区，酒吧，餐馆和咖啡馆，在短短的几个街区不拘一格选拔。 银行街提供了三个或四个沿其长度不同的领域，包括广受欢迎的面积为旱田。 在不久的西端，Westboro晚餐和饮料也是一个有吸引力的选择。
7。 请给我们提供的表演艺术在渥太华。
从5月18日至6月11日，太阳剧团将带来其生产的Quidam渥太华。 加拿大舞蹈节每两年在渥太华渥太华艺穗节（六月）（2006年6月2-10日），是看到新的生产和创新的最佳途径之一。 在
大型活动通常是在丰业银行广场和渥太华文娱中心举行。
在渥太华存在一些大商场，包括西端海柏购物中心，丽都中心市区，在靠近东端的圣·洛朗中心，和地点的新奥尔良在商场的东端。 这些中心提供了最好的知名品牌。
9。 什么是在渥太华和周围的户外，娱乐和体育机会？
但是，在渥太华的体育参与的远不止于此。 数百公里的休闲途径，Ottawans爱周期，溜冰鞋及加息。 渥太华河提供了令人难以置信的泛舟，以及独木舟和皮艇探险冒险。
至于如何不同目的地渥太华证明，它是唯一的位置，您可以对世界上最大的溜冰场滑冰和世界上最大的沙滩排球比赛中发挥？
有超过11,000个酒店房间，在渥太华 - 加蒂诺地区。 大型连锁店（费尔蒙，希尔顿，威斯汀，万豪，三角洲，喜来登酒店，假日酒店，最佳西方，希尔顿酒店）的代表，以及更独特的产品，如精品的弧the.hotel或Brookstreet度假村。
一个全面的选项清单，发现在www.ottawatourism.ca
11。 什么是一些重大事件和大的新闻报道，在2006年及以后在渥太华？
迪拉克Leamy赌场庆祝马不停蹄兴奋的10年，于2006年3月。 最初开设赌场的赫尔，它已经发展成为在Canadaâ的首都圈地区的著名景点之一，每天从9:00提供游戏凌晨三时五钻石在Le Baccara餐厅;毗邻剧院祭午后的演出，音乐节目，以及各种综艺节目;设施对接;邻近的希尔顿温泉酒店和会议设施。 赌场庆祝了一系列主题活动，包括流行的7黄道吉日推广提供了不同的促销一周的每一天。
在第三印第安纳琼斯电影，高潮的一幕发生在一个壮观的沙漠雕刻成一个悬崖边的位置。 该场地是位于约旦佩特拉的一部分，并从2006年4月7日通过，2007年1月2日，你可以学习在加拿大文明的展览佩特拉博物馆：石头城。
户外活动的Ottawans’生活的重要组成部分。 今年夏天，居民就能津津乐道在others’成就，也为渥太华做东3500多名运动员和教练员，安大略省在2006年夏季奥运会8月9日至13日，2006年。
来自北京的珍品：5月11日，2007年9月30日在加拿大文明博物馆，了解更多有关中国文明的发展，同时从中国国家博物馆观看选定的珍品。 也将是一个尝试，提供了中国近代历史上，包括经济改革和申办奥运的一瞥。
国际足联世界青年锦标赛2007年：2007年7月1-22日：渥太华已被选定为加拿大这三个星期的主办城市，24个国家，52场比赛，具有最好的青年（20岁以下）足球球员之一世界。 它是由国际足联，世界杯之后的第二大事件上演。
加拿大肖像画廊：继去年springâ的新的加拿大战争博物馆开幕，为渥太华计划的下一个重要的文化机构，是加拿大的肖像画廊，由于在2007年年底，从国会山街对面开。
苏珊Pacher是一个网站的发布者，被称为旅游和转换（ http://www.travelandtransitions.com ）。 旅行和旅游过渡非常规的交易和塞满意见，小技巧，现实生活中的旅行经验，旅客和旅游专家的见解和反思，跨文化的问题，竞赛等多种功能的采访。 你还会发现生活的故事和我们所面临的转变，因为我们通过我们自己的个人生活长途跋涉去。
“人生是一场旅程，探索新的地平线”。
与照片的故事发表在旅行的故事和照片（ http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_regional_history_center.htm ）
仓鼠品种：中国仓鼠
中国仓鼠，科学命名的仓鼠霉菌，起源于中国北方的沙漠。 他们首次发现北京，前身是北京的街道上被作为宠物出售，但很快就使他们的方式进入医疗世界。 早在1919年，他们被用来作为实验动物，在北京协和医学院，然后出口到世界各地的。 随着时间的推移，他们不太可能被用于实验动物时，小老鼠和老鼠越来越流行。 中国仓鼠特别是更难比小鼠或大鼠，因为男性对女性的侵略品种。
中国仓鼠已经在同一类别的矮仓鼠，但在现实中有更多的类似特征的小老鼠，科学家分为“鼠”类别。 这是因为它们的物理特性，而不是因为任何发展或社会特征。 他们的尺寸范围从7.5至9厘米长，体重50至75克之间。 短鼻子和瘦弱的身体，粗壮的双腿和一条长长的尾巴配对是他们为什么要进入“鼠”类。 这些可爱的动物有原灰褐色了他们的脊椎和更熟悉的白肚皮。 他们还做出伟大的宠物，因为他们住了3年，稍长，如果你让他们很健康。
虽然他们可以成为积极的，当大量被放入同一个笼子里，如果你保持密切关注，对中国仓鼠和保持在单独的笼子里的男女，他们应该比较安静。 当作为单独的宠物保持他们有安静的气质。 中国仓鼠的倾向，坚持你的手指，对孩子有很大的宠物。
寻找中国仓鼠笼，可以证明是困难的，因为它们规模小。 定期仓鼠笼是一个大没有没有，因为酒吧间隔相距甚远;逃生会来，他们很容易。 老鼠笼完全隔开酒吧，但往往是太小了。 你的选择，最终取笼的酒吧应该是除了不超过8至10毫米。
普通木薄片，最终都是要在笼子里的床上用品的最佳类型。 但记住，传统的片可以是相当灰尘和锯末，有时可以刺激你和中国仓鼠。 一个伟大的事情，也包括在仓鼠的笼子是仓鼠轮。 这是伟大运动的小生灵，他们喜欢在其上运行！
喂养的仓鼠时选择正规的商业在每一个宠物商店出售的食品。 任何类型的小种子，粮食，甚至小虫子可以在家仓鼠食物是伟大的。 虽然每个仓鼠值得特殊对待，曾经在一段时间记得要保持它的健康，如某些蔬菜，不放纵太多。 任何在仓鼠的疾病，会导致它的寿命降低了很大的期望。
虽然中国仓鼠一般不用于在实验室，生物技术药物仍然把仓鼠的卵巢细胞蛋白基因和提取所创建的蛋白质的产生。
中国仓鼠可以做出伟大的宠物，但有些地方认为这些宠物的异国情调，甚至害虫。 在某些领域需要许可证购买中国仓鼠。 所以一定要与您所在地区的检查，在购买前作为宠物之一。
为什么美国队一定会成功
美国队即将准备开始玩游戏，因为他们看开始到2008年北京奥运会的征程。 总统治的所有钥匙都在那里，科比，而其他的得分手，安东尼吃了直板和詹姆斯听我波德对他的“了解中国”的方案，在一个角落里，记者通过投掷他的贸易需求间断的问题包围。 In another corner sits three great and true point guards in Jason Kidd, Deron Willaims, and Chauncey Billups, all jogging their minds with plays and teammates tendencies. In the third corner are the shooters, on being Michael Redd with his trainer putting in work on injuries; the other is Mike Miller, sprawled out on a chair doing an interview with a teen magazine on what products teenage age girls should use on their hair since he has used many of them. In the last corner of the room, the Weight Room” area features a battle of the bigs as Amare Stoudamire and Dwight Howard go head to head to see who can push more weight off their chest, Howard is currently ahead by 15 pounds but Amare is loading up the bar for another go. In the middle of the room stand the defenders, Tashaun Prince and Tyson Chandler, keeping a close eye on the rest of the team as they go about their business. This is the perfect mix of players that team USA needs to win gold, each player just needs to perform their role.
For the first time since Kidd last took part in international play team USA has true, pass first point guards that excel in making plays and getting open shots to their teammates. Kidd and the kid (not Kidd) Williams were two of the top three players in assists per game in the 06-07 NBA campaign with over nine a night for both of them. They understand how to create scoring opportunities for other players. Billups can also distribute the ball well, averaging almost seven dimes per game. Each point guard on this roster can hit the outside shot if they're open and can also get their own shot off at the end of a possession if needed. Defense is another area that each of these three guards excels in, as each of them is above par as far as defense is concerned. In recent years of international play USA has been led by the likes of Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury, who are great players but are not true point guards. Both of those players were shoot first guys that couldn't execute a proper chest pass to an open teammate streaking to the hoop; they were both poor outside shooters
Movie reviews: Boarding Gate
Being an avid fan of director Dario Argento, it's a given that every movie that features his daughter Asia Argento is going to be a compulsory viewing. Having seen the trailer for Boarding Gate at a film festival last year I had waited eagerly to see this movie, which to some degree I felt looked rather a lot like 1988's The Assassin (Remade from the movie Nikita). Sadly despite the promise of the trailer this was not something that was delivered.
My interest slightly was already a bit dim simply because the second billed cast member is the phenomenally bad Michael Madsen, who for fifteen years has been the death nail in any self respecting movie. Generally Madsen would turn up in a movie for a stick of gum, so I had this thought in the back of my mind that Boarding Gate was going to be something terrible. And while it was not terrible, it was neither a particularly good movie either.
Boarding Gate's story surrounds Sandra (Asia Argento) an Italian who works as a warehouse manager; Sandra has a past however as an incredibly high paid prostitute. The majority of this work carried out through Miles (Michael Madsen) a one time lover, and chief employer of Sandra, who covertly would source secrets from Miles associates. When Sandra is hired to commit something a little more serious than prostitution, she finds herself a toy in a game for people of power, in a land that is alien to her.
Boarding Gate's big problem was that it took an hour to build up to the story the movie surrounds, leaving forty minutes to tell a very complex story, and live out an awful lot of action. It's almost like a completely different movie after the first hour, up to this point it had been dull and lifeless, although the character relationship build up had been an essential ingredient for the movies final cocktail of action.
I found myself disorientated by the movie which allegedly begins in England, I find this difficult to believe unless the currency of the UK has been dropped and nobody told me. The movie has this whole feel about it until Sandra arrives in Beijing, and I find it quite annoying that a movie tries to tell you it's somewhere when it clearly is not. This fact dominated the first hour (for me) as dull and uninvolving story. If the movie is set in England during the opening portion, it's quite sad because apparently all English people are still listening to early 90's chart-toppers The KLF.
The music for the movie is clearly inspired by those awful karaoke bars that both China and Japan thrive on, with awful disco hell offerings from Brian Eno, the final credit score being the worst thing I have ever heard in a movie soundtrack, and believe me this takes some going.
I mention the story improved and it certainly does, I really quite enjoyed the last 40 minutes, which focused around Chinese thugs, and betrayal of loved ones. There is aggressiveness to this last portion that had not even been hinted at during the movies first segments. Asia Argento gets to play the action star yet again, something she does incredibly well; Asia despite her more moving films like The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (which she also directed)is carving herself a notch in Hollywood as a leading action woman, not A list but not Z list either. I recently read an article in which she referred to as the female Vin Diesel.
Boarding Gate looks beautiful throughout, even in its dark and creepy scenes. But the storytelling is confused, so much so that it outweighs the positive things the movie delivers. It's like a thinking person's Jean Claude Van Damme movie, without the time and the backbone to live up to its promises.
Euro 2008 | St. Jakob Park Basel
196 days until the first whistle of European Championships 2008 is blown. But ‘til we’ll get to eat some Swiss emmental or Austrian sausages watching these unforgettable matches, there are lots of things to be done, concerning the last qualifying stages for the final tournament and its self organization. Anyway, the only things that remain to us is dream we’ll be there and follow all the euro 2008 news . From the 7th to the 29th of June there will only be time to celebrate.
Within the opening match on June, the 7th, alongside 5 other matches, including a semifinal among them, Basel will be the main venue of the displaying events in Switzerland. Therefore the organizers chose a claim for showing the involvement of the city and the whole region for a good organization of the final tournament: “Basel. Beyond the 90 minutes†.
But what do we know at this point about the starting point of Euro 2008? Well, here’s some useful data which will certainly help us in better knowing our future summer hosts.
Stadium information
Name: St Jakob Park
Inauguration: 25 April 1954
First match: Switzerland-Germany
Capacity: 42,200
Pitch dimensions: 105*68
Club information
Club: FC Basel
Inauguration: 1893
邮政地址：
FC巴塞尔1893年
Gellertstrasse 235
4052 Basel
Tel: 061 / 375 10 10
Fax: 061 / 375 10 11
方向
汽车：
Leave the A2 at the exit St Jakob. The stadium is located next to the A2.
Tram:
Line 14 (from the city centre)
Match schedule at Euro 2008:
Match 1 – Switzerland-Czech Republic, Sat. 7th June 18:00
Match 10 – Switzerland-Turkey, Wed 11th June 20:45
Match 17 – Switzerland- Portugal, Sun 15th June 20:45
Match 25 – Quarterfinal 1 Winner group A- Runner-up group B, Thu 19th June 20:45
Match 27 – Quarterfinal 3 Winner group C- Runner-up Group D, Sat 21st June 20:45
Match 29 – Semifinal 1 Winner 25- Winner 26, Wed 25th June 20:45
St. Jakob Park
St. Jakob Park (St James Park in English) is the stadium where FC Basel plays. “Joggeli†as it is nicknamed, has a current capacity of 42,200 seats. After the demolition of the old stadium in December 1998, it lasted 26 months until they had this new piece of jewelry. It was designed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, two architects known worldwide for their fantastic work and creativity (see Tate Modern in London or the new Olympic stadium in Beijing). The stadium is divided into four blocks, ABC and D, each block is a whole side of the stadium. St. Jakob Park is a fairly new stadium, the construction started on the 13th of December 1998. The first game played in it was on the 15th of March 2001. The “Genossenschaft SJP†officially own the stadium, the stadium itself is managed by “Basel United†. The stadium cost around 220 million Swiss Francs (130million Euros) to build. Within the stadium are 32 stores on 3 different floors. There are also 2 restaurants within the stadium; these are “Restaurant UNO†and “Hattrick Sports Bar†. The stadium has parking space for 680 cars on 2 different floors, but 1500 parking places wait outside. The multifunctional sport arena is visited by 850’000 people each year for sporting and cultural events. Other great facilities: a gym, a shopping mall, a retirement home with over 100 apartments.
The stadium has been awarded 4 stars by UEFA, which is the highest amount of stars that can be awarded to a stadium of that size.
In 2006 there was a riot after a match between FC Basel and FC Zurich. The hooligan incident (also called ‘Disgrace of Basel’) occurred on May 13th after a championship-deciding match between the two teams. FC Zürich scored in the dying moments of the match, and the goal ended the dream of Basel winning the Swiss Super League a third time in a row. This incident resulted in property damage and it is seen as one of the worst of such incidents involving violent hooliganism in Swiss sport.
However let’s not let us guide by this displeasured and lonesome occurrence and put our trust in the sense of fairness and swiss honesty. Afterall, they’re number 1 in banking systems and good watches, right? I’m sure we can easily confide in their work.
Basel City
Basel is the centre of north-western Switzerland, on the border with Germany and France, and located at the very core of central Europe, with a population of 165000 inhabitants (December 2006). Despite its social dynamism and innovative economic strength, Basel is a lively border town, with a strong traditional base rooted in history which can be experienced not only at its carnival, the Basler Fasnacht. Both its historic townscape and modern architecture are part of Basel’s living present.
Hotels in the Basel region like to spoil their guests. The Hotel Les Trois Rois on the Rhine is one of Europe’s oldest hotels and at the same time the most splendid address in Basel. Other 5-star hotels are the Euler, Hilton, Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel, and Radisson SAS.
Among its 4-star hotels are the Basel, Europe, Merian am Rhein, St Gotthard, and Victoria.
A popular 3-star hotel is the Teufelhof, which consists of the Kunsthotel (Artists Hotel), with eight rooms continually redesigned by various artists, and the Galeriehotel (Gallery Hotel), where artists exhibit their work.
The Hotel Au Violon is an interesting representative of the 2-star hotels, opened in 1999 in the former Lohnhof prison whose forty cells have been converted into twenty simple, attractive rooms.
The city’s youth hostel in a former silk-ribbon factory on the Rhine, is said to be one of the most attractive. The Waldhort camping site is located in Reinach, only 7 kilometers away from the city.
Gee Up for Hong Kong Horses
Temperatures expected to reach a scorching 35°C will prove a real challenge for both participants and organisers of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian events taking place in Hong Kong next August. Factor in high percentage humidity to the scorching heat and that provides event conditions that organisers describe, with a degree of understatement as “not that equine-friendly†.
Although undoubtedly extremely uncomfortable for riders the primary concern for the event’s organisers is the welfare of the horses. New facilities have been custom-built for the event and the Hong Kong Jockey Club has contributed almost £50million to the project, anxious to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly. To be sure that happened the club took comprehensive veterinary advice before designing and planning new facilities, and modifying existing ones.
The facilities will be used to host the three-day eventing, dressage and showjumping; the first time any major events involving horses will have taken place in Hong Kong during the stifling heat of August. Although horse racing has been a major item on the region’s sporting calendar since 1884 it has never taken place during this traditionally hot and humid month.
Showjumping and dressage venues will be incorporated in and around the Sha Tin racecourse, the training facilities will be in the centre of the circuit, and the cross-country course is 30 minutes drive away at Hong Kong Golf Club and Beas River Country Club. The course has been designed with four different set-ups, so in the case of extreme temperatures and humidity and with horse welfare compromised the course can be shortened.
In an attempt to make the events more horse-friendly in the anticipated conditions they are scheduled for early mornings, and later in the evenings under floodlights. However, there will still be mobile cooling units on hand adjacent to the cross-country track to treat overheated horses, and there will a state-of-the-art equine hospital on site.
In terms of stabling, the horses will receive the equestrian equivalent of a five star hotel in Hong Kong . Air conditioning in each of the stables that will house 200 horses, roofs that can be opened and even standby fans should the air-con fail. Walk-through misting tents will allow horses to receive a fine cooling spray once tack has been removed by their riders.
To ensure that the facilities will work under competition conditions the Jockey Club tested them, hosting the Good Luck Beijing Cup this year on the same dates as next year’s Olympic events. Everything went smoothly and any small problems were ironed out, leaving organisers confident and looking forward to hosting the Olympics next year.
Personal Impact of the Olympics: Then and Now
I only used to watch the Olympics for games that looked pretty or awesome, like gymnastics and diving. All those flippy maneuvers and air somersaults are enchanting, if only for the reason that not everyone can do them. I mean, I can run, jump over hurdles (based from experiences as Chinese garter champion), swim, dribble a ball, kick a ball, swim and whack a ball back and forth with a paddle. I cannot jump in the air and do ala-ninja flips; nor can I climb up a fifty foot diving board and jump gracefully so that i land in the pool without displacing a third of its contents.
I remember thinking that track and field is some of the most boring sports ever created, alongside swimming. The put shot for me back then was the most ridiculous sport ever invented and I was aghast at the very idea of finding people actually training for it– women losing their curves, their breasts, and gaining muscles in ways that look anything but attractive. I mean, jeez, who thought of this stuff? It seemed to me like its a modernized version of some game Neanderthals did in their own rock-based version of sports in general.
Neanderthal one: Dude, i found this heavy rock. Dibs on that hot chick with the clubs for who throws the farthest.
Neanderthal two: You're on.
Neanderthal three: Do we get points for killing something unintentionally?
Theoretical pre-historic sports aside, I couldn't imagine training four hours a day to put a shot. So you can throw heavy balls for a lot of meters. 还等什么？ I saw no practical use for this. But then again, when I actually sat back to consider this, I realized that there are sports that look better but have even less practical use. Like basketball. I love the NBA, but I realize that basketball is basically 10 people tossing around a single ball. At least I can use shot put skills to pit a ball dipped in pepper spray solution to that window of that guy who ran over my cat this morning. Kidding aside, sports are not meant to be practical, I realize, and mostly, its for love of the game that keeps people playing. I know better now.
The point is back then, the Olympics for me was only worth watching if it had lots of complicated body maneuvers in it. If it doesn't turn people into pretzels, it's not interesting. But now that I'm older, I realize there's a lot more to this gathering of champions than an excuse to win as much bragging rights as possible. Olympics is a symbolic culmination of unity and friendship among nations. It is an event to step back from the international disputes and cheer for the representatives of our countries. At least it used to be like that.
As time goes by however, the Olympics isn't so much as a tool for unity but a brawling ring for political platforms. Can people forget Munich and the death of 11 Israeli athletes? Or for that matter, the massacre in Tlatelolco during the Mexico games? And of course, as the most relevant and recent, China and its suppression of Tibet?
Political agenda has never been more highlighted in the Olympics than today in China. Even the most politically-apathetic people cannot deny that China's getting a lot of flak from other countries due to their issues with Tibet. Protesters all over the world have expressed their opinions, and even some world leaders have made their stand, whether it's by boycotting the opening ceremonies or making public statements. The Olympic torch has not seen a peaceful voyage yet, what with so many protesters trying to put it out.
The impending Beijing Olympics have lost much of its name's glory, and for the most part, had been associated with protests and human rights violations It's sad that something as glorious and spectacular as the Olympics had been tainted with the marks of prevailing indignity and cruelty. It's sad, that I only realized how much the Olympics represents right when the whole world is scarring its image.
The Olympics should not be a stage to sling mud at each other. I want the original Olympics back. I want to be able to appreciate the different kinds of effort exerted in every sport. I want to be able to point at that screen and say “See that girl over there? She can't do flips and she has arms that would be unflattering in sleeveless tops but she can make a mince pie of your face from twenty meters away.†I want to experience watching people making their dreams and ambitions come true. I want to see the world's finest athletes competing for the medal they could proudly bring back to their countrymen. Lastly, I want to see people who keep going for love of the sport and for love of their country, no matter how many times they fall.
