The Jing Yan Hotel was the main hotel for UX. Most rooms were in a sorry state
as it was been remodeled. The host had a second, more luxurious hotel a short
distance away. Why, then, did almost everybody decided to stay at the Ying Jan.
Location. It was across the street from the sports facilities.
Price. Started from US$23 per night for a room with three beds and a private
bath. That is less than US$8 per person per night.
Olympic Village. There was a real Olympic Village atmosphere at the hotel. They
allowed us to ride unis in the lobby. They were very understanding of all
unicycling activities. By the end of the week, there were UX results, memos, and
schedules on just about every wall and column of the lobby. UX participants
could meet anyplace at anytime. The meeting rooms were right at the hotel as was
the dining rooms. I had never seen so much interaction between people from
different nationalities as in UX. The rooms of the hotel did not meet the
expectations of many persons, but the hotel did contribute to the camaraderie of
the unicycling community that ruled in that part of Beijing that week in August.
Food. Good but definitely Chinese. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The nearby
McDonald’s received lots of business even from usual Big Mac haters. I liked the
food, but people who are accustomed to Western food need a periodic relief. A
Western breakfast alternative would have been a good idea. I still believe that
the bones of the chicken haha that we were served at the Great Wall lunch were
smaller than any chicken bone that I had ever seen.
Tiananmen Square Ride. I was impressed. They had a whole subway train reserved
for us. There was a failed attempt to do some type of shows featuring small
groups. Most riders wanted to share with each other, take thousand of photos and
videos. And make the lines of riders interlocking arms. There were so many
riders that they had to make at least three lines. We rode forward and then
backwards at least 10 meters. I don’t know how Andy was able to organize all of
us, but he did. After the event, they took our unis back so that we could stay
downtown and do some serious bargaining for souvenirs at the backstreets of
downtown Beijing.
Great Wall. An optional trip that almost everybody attended. A long bus ride out
of the city into the mountains, the Great Wall looked like a giant snake, or
dragon, joining all the mountain tops. There were two ways up to the Wall. You
could walk or you could take a cable car. I took the cable car. (OK, I am lazy).
Once up there we enjoyed the great view. And we could ride on our unicycles.
There was a third alternative to come down the wall, a giant slide. I took it,
and boy that was fun.
Forbidden City. Another optional trip. Very impressive group of palaces right
next to Tiananmen Square in downtown Beijing. To appreciate it you must read
Chinese history and understand the role it played in separating the emperors and
its close group from the people, and you must see some pictures.
Farewell Party. Another great success. We had a great farewell party in Puerto
Rico in 1988 and there was a great one in Minnesota in 1994. I saw more
intermingling of nationalities in this party than ever before. For the future
UNICONs, we should not schedule anything else during the Farewell Party, no
award ceremony and no workshop. Let it be a party.
Cheaper Cheaper. Part of the folklore. Everywhere you go, there are hundred of
street peddlers offering their souvenirs. You could buy real a Rolex watch with
real diamonds for US$3.75, after a starting price of US$30. Post cards for 6
cents each and T-Shirts with a theme printed for US$1.00. I normally don’t feel
comfortable in that type of situation, but in China it was fun. The peddlers
never got angry and the prices were good. So, for those of you that received
souvenirs from China, the person that gave it to you did not pay as much as
s(he) told you, except maybe in extra luggage.
Remember that you can see pictures at the web, including
www.unicycling.com/ofoto/
I hope that you all get a chance to attend UXI to be held in July or August,
2002 at North Bend, Washington, USA, in the Seattle area.
Alberto Ruiz