I have never seen a security force as plentiful as it is here. There are guards literally everywhere! The strange thing, though, is that I haven’t seen any armed police officers or military personnel (with the exception of the Mao Mausoleum, but even there the only ones armed were inside the tomb). These guys are out and about in aplenty, but none of them carry weapons. The weirdest thing is how I react to the difference. Since they have no guns, I perceive them as having less credibility, less authority. I know it’s a ridiculous notion, but it’s just the way my brain works. One other thing I found very interesting is that these security persons were saluting our tour buses as we passed by their posts during our tour of Beijing. They do not give such an honorable salutation to other vehicles, but each bus in our convoy of ten received the greeting. On the first day of the city tour, the convoy even had a police escort from the city to the rural village!
XOXO
1 comment:
That is interesting that they salute the tour buses.They probably usually carry weapons but for the Olympics they either don't have weapons or have concealed weapons to make them more friendly and approachable for all the tourists that will be there. And if they all aren't armed they probably have a way to get armed ones there right away. I like all there umbrellas it makes sure you know were they all are if you need them.It will be interesting if they step up any of the security you see once the Olympics start.
BBJ
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