It was a great opportunity for crowd shots, Frank, but really no more so than any other day in crowded Beijing, other than the presence of an army of uniformed security, though these days there is noticeably more security in Beijing. I took some shots, but nothing special. I was more interested in the words that were running through my head as I walked around imagining how I would write this one up. Honestly, I couldn’t quite wipe the smile off my face, especially when I was walking away from the Square and passing clutches of flag-led w/matching hats tour groups who were resolutely marching towards Tian’anmen. Obviously they hadn’t gotten the memo either.

The guys I met weren’t ticket takers, b. And if you had a ‘ticket’ you sure weren’t entering from where I was trying to get in. I assume that all those who had tickets or were ornamentally there, had very specific places to either enter or meet up before traveling to the Square via bus. The area south of the “Maosoleum” was packed full of buses that I am sure delivered the pre-approved audience, which included lots and lots of minority folks in their colorfully traditional ceremonial best (or so it looked like from television). Nothing says it better than the embracing of ethnics.

To read more on the event from a reporter on the Square, have a look at Nick Mulvenney’s piece here, which confirms my suspicion that those with an invitation or a press pass were bused in early. 4 hours early according to Mulvenney.