Bus stops, metros and major ring roads in Beijing during Friday's morning rush hour were uncommonly quiet. Even bicyclists seemed to have slowed down to feel the pulse of a city of the event it has awaited for seven years.
Residents had a surprise holiday, granted for the opening of the Olympic Games, which contributed to the relaxation of the city's busy traffic.
The Games' opening ceremony started at 8 p.m. In the day time, people either waited at home for the ceremony's live broadcast on TV or went to see friends and relatives. The capital is waiting.
For mothers of newborn children, their big event has already come. It is estimated that about 500 "Olympic babies" will be born in Beijing on Aug. 8.
The 32-year-old Zhang Lingyun named her newborn daughter "Olympic" in Chinese so as to celebrate the opening of the Games. "We want to link the baby with the auspicious Olympics on the basis that my daughter's health is the first and foremost," Zhang told Xinhua.
From Thursday's midnight to Friday's 1 p.m., there were 30 "Olympic babies" born at the Haidian Maternal and Child Care Hospital in western Beijing, 20 of which were through Caesarean operations. On Thursday, more than 50 expectant mothers with signs of immediate childbirth applied to give birth via Caesareans in the hospital, but some were denied by doctors because of health concerns.
Zhang Yuanping, the hospital president, said "rationality must not give way to Olympic enthusiasm" and no one had asked to undergo a caesarean section at 8:08 p.m. tonight.
Similar enthusiasm occurred at the marriage register office, too. Many young couples want to stamp their marriage with the Olympics, which could be seen at a register office at Xizhimen on the western second ring road.
The staff of the office said more than 1,500 new couples came to the office to register on Friday, almost three times the daily August average. To cope, staff were able to reduce registration time from seven minutes to three.
The world's focus remains on the "Bird's nest", or the National Stadium. Many secrets surround the ceremony, but all will be unveiled tonight. The ceremony, having been rehearsed three times, was still a mystery to the majority though some firework shapes had been revealed.
Since 3 p.m., many roads leading to the "Bird's Nest" were closed to normal traffic.
Closer to the "Bird's Nest", more policemen were on the streets. Many people have to stroll outside the police line, taking photos and looking at the ticket-in-hands spectators and staff members in the police line.
"Everyone wants to enter the venue to watch the opening ceremony", said Du Xingzhong, staring at the Bird's Nest, "however, we have to abide by the regulations." The 29-year-old Du went across 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities around the Chinese mainland in the last three years in a bid to celebrate the upcoming Games. He arrived in Beijing today from the earthquake-hit Sichuan Province.
"Although I cannot get into it, to feel the atmosphere is enough for me," said Du.
Fu Zhigao is much more easier to feel the ceremony. Fu's home is only two kilometers from the Bird's Nest. He also failed to get a ticket for the opening ceremony. However, when the fireworks began during the ceremony, he and his family members went outside to watch the spectacular shows.
"The traffic control and security check nearby are tight," said Fu. "After all, with so many people together, security is the utmost importance."
When billions of people enjoy the ceremony tonight, Li Fuzhong, a migrant worker who works in the outskirt of Beijing, has to miss watching the ceremony. He is now on a train and will arrive in his hometown, a small county in central China's Henan Province tomorrow morning.
"Previously I planned to watch the live broadcast of the ceremony in Beijing, and even watch the fireworks on the spot if I had chance. Unfortunately, there was no cheap ticket until today," said Li, "but I can watch some competitions at home, with my family."
A 46-year-old German tourist, called Andrew, had no idea where he and his two partners would go tonight.
"We don't want to stay in the hotel rooms to watch TV. Maybe we will stroll around the city and find a big open-air screen," said Andrew, "that's the most important." He hoped to watch the live broadcast and at the same time, experience the beauty of the fireworks.
As for the Mexican painter Alex Del-Callejo who had never been to China before, Tiananmen Square was the place that attracted him the most. Unfortunately, due to the preparations for the fireworks display and the on-going welcome banquet for visiting foreign leaders, Tiananmen Square has now been sealed off temporarily.
"Tiananmen is a place that cannot be missed for anyone who comes to Beijing," said Del-Callejo. He decided to go to the Summer Palace first. After watching the opening ceremony in the Bird's Nest, he will go to the Square tomorrow with his friends.
"If there are no guests tonight, I will watch the fireworks on the streets," said taxi driver Zhu Luhua, "it is the best pleasure for me."
(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)