From euphoria to harsh reality in Beijing

By Ken Wills

BEIJING (Reuters) - Euphoric spectators at the Olympics' opening ceremony had to return to the harsh reality of how to get home on a sweltering Beijing night, elbowing for a taxi or a spot on packed underground trains.

After the four-hour extravaganza ended at about midnight on Friday, tens of thousands strained the Chinese capital's ability to move so many people quickly.

Making matters worse, taxis were in short supply in the immediate area around the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium because Beijing officials had blocked off many of the surrounding streets as part of strict security measures.

"We thought about taking a taxi but there aren't any around here," said Patricia Cooney, a visitor from Ireland. "We think we'll try the subway instead," she added, examining a map.

Escaping the area by underground train was not much easier.

Three new cavernous underground stations serve the main Olympic area, but entrances are poorly marked and even many Games' volunteers were uncertain how to give directions to the nearest one.

Earlier in the day, the underground stations nearly burst at the seams as people with and without tickets to the opening ceremony surged towards the Bird's Nest stadium.

Officials trying to control the crowds barked out instructions on megaphones, but local and foreign visitors paid little heed as they poured off escalators from the underground.

"I'm from Washington D.C. and he's from New York City, so we're used to crowds on the subway, but this is like the worst rush hour," said Katie Konkel, breaking away from the throng with her friend Matt Pareti.

(Editing by Ralph Gowling)

(For more stories visit our multimedia website "Road to Beijing" here; and see our blog at blogs.reuters.com/china)