Thursday, October 15, 2009

Morning Anthem

By my second cup of Nescafe "Soluble" (as the China-marketed label describes it) Coffee, I heard recorded martial-march brass-band music wafting over from the nearby Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) athletics field.

Peering out my bedroom window which looks out over towards the field (and the BUCT Nursery), I saw a track and field competition beginning its opening ceremonies; coincidentally, on the same day as the opening of China's *National Games* in Shandong.

I always get a little confused at the beginning of the PRC's National Anthem, as its opening strains remind me a little of the start of "Peter and the Wolf".