Beijing 2008 Olympics Torch Run

I got up early this morning to watch the Olympic torch run through Shanghai. Part of the torch run route was through Xintiandi and People's Square. One of my girl friends lives in the Xintiandi part of the city and her apartment management was keeping her updated on the torch route. The torch was originally supposed to come to Shanghai on the 20th, but was delayed for a 3-day period of mourning for the earthquake victims.

I got a text message saying the torch was coming at around 8 am, so I managed to get myself up and dressed and in Xintiandi by 7:30. Eric opted to stay in bed. I figured that since the torch was so close to me that I should make the effort to go see it. Streets were barricaded and lined with police officers. The pedestrian area of Xintiandi was cordoned off and the Starbucks on the corner had bike locks on the doors.



There was a general sense of excitement and anticipation with people lining the streets waving Olympic flags.



We found a spot to stand and wait for the torch to pass through. From what we had been told, the torch and torch bearer would be driven to one end of the street. They would get out, light the torch, and run down the street. We saw sponsorship vehicles for Samsung, Coca-cola, and Lenovo; buses of seemingly important people; emergency vehicles; and motorcycles. We continued to wait until the crowds started to disperse and the police started to take down the rope barricades. We were left baffled and hugely disappointed.



I got up early for this? It seemed that the people most disappointed were foreigners. I've heard similar stories of disappointment from people waiting at different locations in Shanghai. No one could tell us exactly what happened or when and where we could actually see the torch.

There does seem to be one person who managed to see the torch and has photographic evidence (link goes to Shanghai dear Edward's flickr photo stream). I'm glad someone got to see the torch.