A Boring Flag-Raising Ceremony (Cynthia Chen)

Have you ever gone to see a flag-raising ceremony? I have. I am sure it has been one of the most boring times I have ever had. Last year, I and my friends planned to watch the flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square. We never saw it before. We wanted to see it at the best time because it’s really an important ceremony in my country. We searched the internet to get the information before we went there. In fact, the honor guards raise the national flag every day. But the difference is that the National Day and the Labor Day, which are the only two special days in a year, have the band plays a march during the march. That will be the exactly wonderful ceremony that we wanted to see! We decided to go on the National Day because there was a big break for the celebration of the National Day.

We set off at 6:00 pm. The weather was nice but a little cold. After 2 hours in the subway, we arrived at Tiananmen Square. I was surprised that there were about 100 people already there. We put down the newspaper, sat down and began the long waiting time.

While the time was passing, more and more people came towards the square, so it started to be very crowded. Even we are all sat on the ground; it was still very uncomfortable because everyone just had such a small space that we can’t move a little, just like one and one statues. I felt that my back was frozen and my legs had already run out of blood. Du told me that her neck seemed not belong to her any more. It sounded funny but it was the real feeling we had.

After the midnight, people started to stand up and moved forwards, so the police asked people to calm down and sat down time and time. I said to myself “Are they crazy???” Near the flag-raising time, people began to push each other; I and one of my friends were pushed to the front of the people while the others were pushed to the back. I couldn’t believe that, how can they do this, we were together first!!! My friend who was with me asked me where the others went, she really worried about that if they were pushed out of the people. I called them and make sure that they were all safe.

Finally, the most important time came. First came the band. They played the march and marched uniform with the honor guards who hold the national flag and the guns. People were very exciting and pushed each other again……I thought I must be thinnest in my whole life at that time—I was pushed just like the beef between two breaks. It was 7:00 am after the ceremony; all the near subway was still closed. We had to wall for a long time to find the bus station.

In conclusion, it is not as exciting as I expected. Actually, it is very boring. It could be a little worth to see, if I ignored the terrible boring long waiting time and how crowded the people were. However, I don’t think I will go to watch it again. One of my friends complained that the flag-raising was exciting but too short while we were taking bus to go back. The voice in my mind said “Do you forget how long you have been waiting there? It’s too short? God will know this.” We were really hungry and tired when we got home, so we slept the whole day after the breakfast. So, when you decide to watch a flag-raising ceremony, think about my experience—get ready for the boring time!