"Gold Week" refers to the long public holidays in early October for the celebration of the founding of the People's Repbulic. Beijing became an exceptionally livable city during this year, when millions of its usual residents, composed of many migrants from other provinces, were gone for their family reunions and leasure travels. The overwhelming crowds and traffic disappeared unless one craves for foothold on the Great Wall or a view of the Kunming lake.
Strolling along the streets in the inner city of Being was pleasant and that's what I did during the whole 7 days off. One day outside the Russian Embassy, a group of high-school students came by in their school uniform, holding small red national flag and a slogan, which says "Rational Patriotism". I smiled, knowing the young kids were doing their share to oppose violent behaviors during the anti-Japan protests some days ago in major Chinese cities.