Four days to go

Just back to Beijing after seven days in parts of China where the concerns are far more elemental than hosting a successful and "harmonious" Olympic event. (Eg, villages being inundated by new dams -- more another time.) Headed out right away for a kickoff PR event.

In the meantime, hoping that this morning's prospect out the window is in fact just morning fog, as is sometimes the case. Heard from friends in Beijing that over this past weekend, the emergency air-clearing efforts had finally paid off (or a big rain storm and wind played their part) and the skies were gloriously blear-free and blue. Indeed on arrival late last night, we could see the moon! Hope more of the same is ahead --  another report this afternoon..

8 am, August 4, 2008, downtown Beijing:
 
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