You can tell this is early in the hike up the Wall because my sweater is still on and I’m not sweating profusely. I have a picture of me posing like this on the day I interviewed with my company. I’m going to frame this one next to it so I can reflect on how far I’ve come–from never believing they would even hire me to representing them in China. WOW!!! Believe me, I know I am very blessed and take nothing for granted. My motto is: Expect Nothing, Appreciate Everything.
At times, hugging the ancient stones while screaming at my goat-like husband to slow the @#*! down, I lost sight of the amazing fact that I was walking THE Great Wall of China. Then, it would hit me and I would shake my head in total awe and stop to enjoy the moment.
It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen or done before..built in various stages over 2,000 years ago, it is so historic and beautiful. And you don’t just look at it or we didn’t–it is meant to be challenging and it was. Climbing on hands and knees or sliding down on your ass, whatever it took to gain access to the highest point, we did it even though there were moments when I wondered if it was worth it–it was. It took Thom and I two hours to go from the Mutianyu gate (farther out from Beijing than the more crowded Badaling section) to the top garret. Young and old alike were gasping for air and spitting up their lungs by the final ascension by steep stairs. Jubiliation followed as the few who made the long journey realized that they could stop climbing and just soak in the view.
ADA compliant it is not-in fact, there is no way for anyone who has any type of disability or physical condition to experience the route we took. There were open holes in floors where steep staircases took you down and narrow walkways not meant to be shared by even two people to get across wide gaps. Not for the faint hearted or weak for sure! I heard one stout fellow say, “I’m taking the elevator down!!!”. Good luck with that dude. Thom and I got cocky after making it and on the way down to the gate, people would ask us if the climb up was hard, to which we would reply, “Nah-piece of cake–only fifteen minutes to the top” Then we would turn and quietly snicker to ourselves…
As we cut into the crowded line to go down the mountain by gondola, one guy in line remarked that he had seen us on the wall and was struck by our energetic spirit. How could you not be completely hyped up by gazing at the beautiful autumn forests from the ridiculously picturesque and historic Great Wall??
Hanging out at the Great Wall!
Glad we got to discover this area by night with all the beautiful lights. Thom and I walked all over Tiananmen Square neighborhood our first night. Very popular with tourists. Thom went back during the day and he became the attraction-people sidling up to him to take photos with the tall American wearing a Red Star Mao hat. Quite the sight for them I am sure.
Beautiful Temple near Tiananmen Square the first night we arrived and the air was still clear. Today-masks are needed and the air is chunky with particulate matter. Hoping for clearer skies for Saturday’s trip to the Great Wall.
Even in late October, the flowers are blooming in both Shanghai and Beijing. We thought that the leaves would be falling by now but not so. Wondering now what the winter will shape up to look like but so far, the weather is mild and the flowers are beautiful.
Barnes & Noble take note of the crowds forming outside prior to a 7 floor bookstore opening for the day in Shanghai. No Kindles here-people actually were buying books by the armful, especially in the kids department. We found an English section on the top floor filled with all the latest releases and couldn’t help ourselves from buying the British version of the complete Harry Potter series. Cheerio!
Fascinating to see rural China as the train carried us from Shanghai to Beijing. The typical home is a two story concrete structure nestled in trees besides small farms. Far cry from the luxury shops and skyscrapers in the cities.
Thom enjoyed a hot egg custard tart off the street today on our walk to the Bund. So far, he has resisted the hot dogs on the street but he’s a New Yorker and loves his “dirty” dogs so despite what they may or may not be made of, I’m sure he’ll try them soon.
Street market full of hairy crabs for all! Oh, I meant for everyone but me….sorry, just not that adventurous in my food selections. Something about the “hairy” part is just throwing me off.
Travels with Melinda 