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Details

At the Olympic site, there are little Bird’s Nest inspired lights to make walking easier at night.

Red Doors

Impressive, eh? I love the red against the grey.

Great Wall, Simitai

From my archives, in 1999 I went to the Great Wall at Simitai. My travel companion, Teresa was heart set on going to this portion of the wall. It was rawer, less developed. When we went hardly anyone was there. No souvenir stands, no real toilets (just stalls consisting of dirt holes in the ground). It was peaceful and majestic in a wabi sabi kind of well worn way.

Orange Clock

Photo with a Review

Beijing smog from the China World Hotel,  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last week I discovered and downloaded an app for my iPad called China Air Pollution Index. This app tells users what the air quality is in major Chinese cities. For Beijing and cities with U.S. consulate offices it provides the data that the Chinese government publishes as well as the numbers that the U.S. embassy or consulate have read on site.

These numbers can vary widely. For example, today in Beijing the US Embassy meters rate the Beijing air quality hazardous with a 304 reading, while the Chinese government rates the level as lightly polluted at 183.

Sometimes the US numbers are lower than China’s. Yesterday the Chinese government reported an index of 74 (good) while the US consulate in the capital reported one of 223 (very unhealthy). Both entities recommend wearing a mask.

Related articles

• China tells US to stop reporting Beijing’s bad air (sfgate.com)
• US to China: Won’t Keep Quiet About Your Bad Air (foxnews.com)
• China: US Embassy Should Stop Reporting Beijing’s Air Quality (theepochtimes.com)
• Chính’s news: China says only it has right to monitor air pollution (theaveragejoenewsblogg.com)
• U.S.-China dust-up over air pollution involves monitors made by Met One, of Grants Pass, Ore. (oregonlive.com)
• China Has No Good Answer to the U.S. Embassy Pollution-Monitoring (theatlantic.com)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Create

Create some art

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, we’ll provide a theme for creative inspiration. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog anytime before the following Friday when the next photo theme will be announced.

2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “Weekly Photo Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use a “postaday2012″ or “postaweek2012″ tag.

3. Subscribe to The Daily Post so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.

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Traditional Chinese Instruments

On the outside are two pipas and the two in the middle are called ruans. Ruans were first invented around 200 BC.

Snuff Bottles

Weekly Photo Challenge: Close

Close to you-know-what

New to The Daily Post? Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’re invited to get involved in our Weekly Photo Challenge to help you meet your blogging goals and give you another way to take part in Post a Day / Post a Week. Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, we’ll provide a theme for creative inspiration. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog anytime before the following Friday when the next photo theme will be announced.

2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “Weekly Photo Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use a “postaday2012″ or “postaweek2012″ tag.

3. Subscribe to The Daily Post so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.

Related articles

• Weekly Photo Challenge: Close (Journey Back to Words)
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