The hotels are ready, the cabs are clean, and the hospitality workers are trained… let the games begin!
In less than 24 hours the 2008 Summer Olympic Games will officially get underway in Beijing, China. There have been a number of critics who have questioned whether the country could pull off the massive undertaking, but by all accounts it appears that the Chinese are ready to host the world.
Millions of people (including athletes and spectators) have traveled thousands of miles to attend the Games and the Chinese government promises the venues will not disappoint. The country has gotten help from a number of resources to ensure that the safety of visitors won’t be compromised. However, there are two groups in particular that are offering aid to tourists, which caught my attention: the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society International.
The organizations are handing out informational brochures “to help those wishing to make animal-friendly decisions while in China.” Basically, the tip sheets provide information to animal lovers on what to buy and eat in China.
For example, an entire section of the brochure addresses menu choices. To cut down on controversy, the Chinese government has banned local restaurants from serving dog meat during the Olympics (dog meat is a traditional menu choice in China and dining on dishes that feature dog meat is widely accepted in the country). However, the Humane Society warns snakes, turtles, and other small animals will be prominently featured at local Chinese eateries during the Olympics. The animal group is urging visitors to be careful about menu choices, adding that the use of small animals in various recipes is “decimating wild populations.” For instance, according to the Humane Society, the preparation of a classic Chinese dish, bird’s nest soup, involves removing nests from the wild. The Humane Society also says that “sharks are in decline worldwide, largely because of the demand for their fins” for use in soup.
Another tip offered by the Humane Society: The phrase “wo chi su” may be interpreted as “I want to eat vegetables,” while the phrase “quan su” means “vegetarian in the Chinese Buddhist tradition, which prohibits eating onions and garlic.”
As for souvenir items, the Humane Society warns anyone traveling to China to avoid purchasing items made from or trimmed in fur or leather. The animal group says dogs and cats are among the animals killed for their fur in China. In addition, the Humane Society cautions against buying items made of wood because China reportedly imports tropical timber from places like Indonesia, “which destroys orangutan habitat.” If you want to bring home a gift from your travels to China, the Humane Society recommends sticking with tea, jewelry, carvings and other items made from cloth, pottery, paper, stone or metal.
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Can You Still Get a Hotel Room in China During the Olympics?