Fourth Day in Nanjing

Some Random thoughts at the end of the build up days here in Nanjing as we reflect on what we know about this place and settle down for the broadcast experience ahead at the Second Summer Youth Olympic Games.

NANJING ITSELF (first impressions): As far as a person can make out this is a well-organised and vibrant city. I am surprised at how modest the traffic flows are but perhaps traffic from an 8,000,000 population are being directed away from the sports areas of the Games stadia?

THE PEOPLE; are extremely courteous. Especially the young students of the volunteer staff who are going out of their way, sometimes at a million miles an hour, to fix any issues we may have at the hotel or media centre. It is not uncommon to see a volunteer hurrying at almost running pace down a corridor or across the media work room. When I couldn't get a printer to work the other day a young women, Chen Chen was her name - of perhaps 20 years, was almost in tears with her apology.

Then another kid and her friend were really funny. There I was in the media centre tapping away and in a world of my own when suddenly there was an 'excuse me?' at my elbow. I looked up to see not one but two smiling young women, again from the volunteer staff.

'Excuse me sir,' they repeated in halting but perfectly clear English. 'Can we ask you a question?'

'Why certainly you may,' I replied, turning and giving them my full and best attention.

'Please sir,' they then said, carefully enunciating each syllable and helping each other to get it right , 'we want to know....um, how old are you?' And they nodded excitedly, waiting for my response.

It is these delightful experiences which are making this a fun place to be.

(And I told them the truth in my response!)

KIWI/POLYNESIAN CONNECTION: By someone's very thoughtful planning the 30 or so commentators and production staff here have been booked into the Hilton Nanjing Hotel in the Jianye District.
And what a superb place it is!

In its foyer the size is so big I swear the Games could hold the Badminton competition right there. And the weightlifting and table tennis!

And the rooms are superb. And get this; in the Happy Hour the beers in big, icy glasses cost 28RMB (about $5 NZ) for all the best European brands. Good news for parched commentator's throats.

The other night the Director of Operations (Effectively the Manager I guess) came in and introduced himself around the bar. He came to me and warmly greeted me by name. I was pleased.

It turns out Mr Iulai Sau, aged perhaps only in his late 30s, is an old boy of De La Salle College in Auckland. We chatted away about his life, my life and life in Nanjing. As a young man he studied at Auckland University (soon regaling me with horror stories of Easter University sports tournaments!) before telling me of how he got into the hotel industry and how he worked his way into the hierarchy of the Hilton Hotel's group. What a story of success he spoke of.

He then brought in one of his young staff and said, 'Jacky here will guide you through the streets to one of my favourite restaurants where he'll tell them to look after you.'

And then to really clinch it with the Kiwis, Aussies and rugby fans in our midst Iulai announced that from his suite upstairs he would tomorrow 'be bringing down to attach to the giant TV screen in 'Strikers Bar' - his satellite TV system.'

We can all catch the Bledisloe Cup in the bar! Mr Sau sir, we salute you!

ONLY ONE SOBERING SIDE TO OUR STAY SO FAR: There are still a number of significant references to the 1937 'Rape of Nanking' incident in this city. If you know your history the locals here do not consider that a World War began in 1939 as we do. It was in the years before that the Japanese invaded and carried out atrocities and brutalities which are never to be forgotten - or indeed pushed to any back burner. About 300,00 locals were killed in one of the worst atrocities of those dark years.

There are no Japanese cars seen on the streets here nor are Japanese appliances used. Even the Daily English language newspaper makes references to the events of 77 years ago. Each day since we have been here the 'China News' Nanjing edition has been publishing head and shoulder shots of Japanese Officers from the occupancy under the heading of "Confessions of Japanese War Criminals."
Then follows full written descriptions of the carnage they each wreaked on the locals. It is horrible to read.

Thank goodness for the smiling young faces and the hope they offer in 2014.

Opening day is Saturday at 8pm local time with competition starting for all sports in the days after that.
....