There are varying overtones of politics and perspective when it comes to China. This post discusses none of them. What it does touch on is the magic that happens when world sporting events are done right. When I was a kid I remember watching the 1986 World Cup where Diego Maradona became a household name and Argentina became world champions in Mexico City. It felt like the whole world paused to participate – watching, cheering, maybe booing. I know England was upset. Regardless, there was something beautiful and inspiring about the world event. Ever since then soccer has been a part of my life and I’ve wanted to explore the various cultures that were invested in the event – whether it was Mexico, England or Germany.

This year’s olympics have been the best I’ve seen in recent memory. It’s caught the attention of the world and has stretched the imagination about what’s possible in the realm of athletics. It’s also peaked a curiosity about a country that is very private. Perhaps more people will investigate, explore, travel and seek out who China is after this olympics. Maybe they will find their life’s passion by watching the events. Maybe they won’t give up on something because they hear a story of triumph. I think all of these things are possible and for that reason, this year’s olympics are impressive. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Bike etiquette is important. Sometimes we get super enthused and ride the city streets like we own them – charging intersections, locking up on any pole and jumping curbs dodging pedestrians. But, since so many people are subscribing to the way of the bike, it’s important to adjust the natural laws and show each other respect. Sure cars disrespect bikers all the time, but some would venture to say bikers can do some inconsiderate things to each other too. We’ve seen the craziest etiquette violations in the realm of bike parking.

Spotted via PSFK, BBC compiled a few rules for parking etiquette. For instance, respect communal space – don’t block stairs, walkway’s and doors – try to park in a non-obstructing space. Or, another one of our favorites, don’t lock your bike to a stranger’s bike. Sounds ridiculous, but we’ve seen it! Be sure to check out the article – Read it here.

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Architect, Frank Gehry makes his London debut with the Serpentine Pavilion. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s catapult designs, Gehry fuses massive beams of timber with steel, glass and concrete creating an interesting balance between modern and historic.

The structure is a piece of art, but it also serves as “part-amphitheatre and part-promenade.” Per the Pavilion website, “These seemingly random elements make a transformative place for reflection and relaxation by day, and discussion and performance by night.” Be sure to check it out if you’re in the area. Gehry’s Pavilion will be open until October 19. Click Read More for additional details and photos.

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Being huge fans of BMW design, we were excited to come across this recent article by dezeen magazine. In it they showcase the opening of the new BMW Museum in Munich. What started out as a renovation for the 1973 bowl (pictured above) grew into a complimentary structure adding approximately 4000 square meters of exhibition space. Munich’s museum is the final installation of a series of brand focused museums that include the BMW Factory and BMW Welt.

Designed by Atelier Brückner the museum showcases BMW’s car history, design elements and the brand’s overall ethos. Currently the Museum has 125 exhibits on show – including cars, motorcycles, aircraft engines and more. Click Read More for additional information.

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This week Wired Magazine is hosting a photo contest based on Cities. Submit your best city photos to Wired for a chance to be featured in their online gallery and magazine. The contest lasts for 2 weeks and readers vote for their favorite via Reddit.

Wired wants everything from pictures of “dirty streets to pristine cityscapes.” We scanned the submitted photos and they look great. It’s interesting to see both the positive and negative characteristics of multiple cities compiled in one place. Click Read More to view a few of our favorites.

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Today’s guest work features two cities and one photographer. Hailing from the Netherlands and representing PunchDouble Studios, Dennis de Groot is one of our favorite designers. An inspiration in many ways – ranging from graphic design to timeless journalism – Dennis’ photography is the topic of today’s Travel Inspiration. In his recent trips to Wijk aan Zee and Hertogenbosch, he captured the beauty of every-day-life in a way that makes you feel like you were there.

Wijk aan Zee is a small coastal town located in Northern Holland of the Netherlands. Home to one of the world’s largest chess tournaments, its quiet charm, history and location has made it a popular destination. Also captured in Dennis’ photography is the capital city of Hertogenbosch in North Brabant. It’s located 50 miles south of Amsterdam and in the photos you can see a bit of the city’s architectural symmetry. Click Read More to view the photos by Dennis de Groot.

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In San Francisco, infrared tabs embedded on the street will assist drivers in finding open parking spots. We’ve spent many evenings searching for parking. Sometimes taking longer to find parking then it took to get to the destination! Anyone who has experienced this frustration will find San Francisco’s urban solution absolutely brilliant.

As early as this fall, folks in San Francisco will be able to take advantage of the wireless network technology. According to the New York Times, “Drivers will be alerted to open spaces via street signs or their PDA.” Begging to become an iPhone Application, we can’t wait to see the parking initiative hit cities nationwide. We’re certain it’ll be wildly successful with tourists and city dwellers alike. NYT further states, “About a dozen major cities are in discussions with technology companies to deploy so-called smart parking systems, though San Francisco is ahead in its efforts.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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