Torch carries light and hope to Sichuan

Fang Dongming yesterday said the field in front of his house has been packed like this only once before. But the last time so many people were there was on May 12 when the devastating earthquake hit Sichuan province.

Fang is a resident of Guang'an, the first city in Sichuan to host the Olympic torch relay.

"On May 12 we all ran out on the open field to escape from the quake our buildings were shaking like trees in a very strong wind. We were all panicky," Fang said after the torch relay concluded in the city.