The two months long trip for the Olympic torch started today with its first destination being Kazakhstan. After 21 stops it will be back in Beijing, the place from where it started, following an elaborate kickoff ceremony.

According to the Associated Press, President Hu Jintao presided over the ceremony broadcast to the world on state television. About 5,000 people were present for the invitation-only event. Hundreds of seats remained empty, with plainclothes security agents in black jackets present in the crowd.

In Kazakhstan, the delegation was greeted with flowers by a group of women in traditional Kazakh dresses and hats, this event being considered a moment of national pride as the oil-producing nation seeks to raise its global profile and emerge as a regional player, according to British paper The Guardian. The Olympics organizing committee considers this visit a symbol of the world’s recognition of Kazakhstan’s accomplishments managing to bring even more light on their efforts.

The route is unfortunately monitored by several activist parties and at all times things must be handled using tight security and with careful planning.

Pro-Tibet activists, human rights campaigners and groups seeking to end the crisis in Darfur have prepared for the 85,100-mile global journey with protests expected in several major cities.

The People's Daily, the official Communist Party newspaper said: "With the opening of the Games approaching, the burden on our shoulders is heavier and the task tougher. We must keep a clear head, improving our awareness of the potential dangers, and bravely facing all the difficulties and challenges."

But the commentary said China is prepared for the difficulties because "to successfully host the Olympics is the wish shared by 1.3 billion Chinese people," as quoted by the AP.