Beijingers welcome the return to normality
It was great while it lasted, but Beijingers have met the end of their seven-year Olympic road this week with a collective sigh of relief.
And now that the biggest party ever to hit the capital is over, if anyone thought residents would be overcome by a bad case of post-Olympic blues, just ask them. The overwhelming majority have been looking forward to a healthy dose of normality.
'The Olympics were fun, but now I just want to return to my old life. I need a rest,' said retiree Zhang Yiwen, 65.
Although sports psychologists say feelings of depression and self-doubt are common among athletes returning home after the world's biggest sporting event, few residents of the host city appear to be suffering from an Olympic hangover.
'Finally I don't have to work at the weekends, and I can relax!' said a weary Li Hongguo, a local-government official in Dongcheng district, who spent the past three weekends pounding the streets looking for potential troublemakers.
Other locals were keen to get back to work, with managers determined to dispel the holiday atmosphere that has prevailed in many offices since the city government encouraged residents to work from home during the 17-day Games period.
Even university students - who know how to party with abandon - recognise it is time to return to the grindstone. 'Sure, I'll miss the atmosphere of the Olympics. But now that it's over, I need to concentrate on studying again,' said Wang Xin, 20.
And for the owners of small businesses that were forced to close ahead of the Games, such as the popular restaurants and clubs at the north gate of the Workers' Stadium, the prospect of reopening this weekend is definitely welcome.
Living in an Olympic host city also meant other inconveniences, such as higher food prices, traffic restrictions and commuting headaches. Those will not be missed either.
'I'm so happy it's over, because getting the subway to work has been a nightmare,' said office worker Qin Jing. 'I had to queue for 20 minutes outside the station every morning because of all the security checks and then wait another 10 minutes while they searched my bag.
'I am proud that Beijing held the Olympics, but I am looking forward to life returning to normal.'
Restaurant owners and bar managers also expect police to relax temporary restrictions on outdoor eating and live music performances.
After all the preparation and the 17 days of the biggest international event in China's history, the mood in the city may best be summed up by a promotional blurb for a party at trendy nightspot Club Obiwan.
'Thank God it's OVER!' the blurb screams. 'We can now all finally get back to normal life in Beijing [whatever that is]!'
Additional reporting by Jennifer Lee
