The Great Wall

I'm trying to get caught up on my blogging stories, since our schedule isn't as packed today as it has been.  Teegan is getting his TB test checked, and we're supposed to be making a group trip to the pearl market.  But it's been hard to keep up telling you about all of the things that have happened because, a.) the internet connection is super slow and pictures take forever to upload, and b.) so much has happened!

I want to take you back to the first few days we arrived in China--Beijing, actually--to tell you about our trip to the Great Wall.  What an amazing opportunity to get to go to the Great Wall of China!  How many regular 'ole Americans like me get to do that?


The Great Wall itself consists of several disjointed sections scattered over thousands of miles, so we were only able to see a small part of it.  But, the sections we did see are very popular because they are so close to Beijing, the largest city in China.  We were told we were very lucky that day because the sun was shining and the Great Wall would be more visible.  According to our guide, Beijingers only get to see the sun shine about 100 days out of the year because of rain and pollution.  This day was the only day we saw the sun during our stay in Beijing.


In the city, all that can be seen of the landscape is city--tall buildings, people, roads, and smog.  But the farther we got away, the more natural things became.  We began to see mountains out our bus windows.  Even still, everything was under a slight gray haze.  The sky never actually looked blue.

Mom and Dad taking in the scenery.

We were given the option of choosing one of the two sides of the Juyongguan (Juyong Pass), as this section is known.  We only had enough time to walk up one of them.

We could take the steep side on the left.

Or we could take the longer, less steep side to our right.

I begged to go up the steep side--simply because I'm me and I like a good physical challenge.  But Mom and Dad wanted to go up the gentler slope because Mom already was already not feeling good.  I had to go with them, being the official family photographer with a decent camera.  As it turns out, I didn't miss much of a challenge.  Both sides are plenty steep, and my leg muscles complained about it the next day.

We didn't get very far before Mom was already handing off her backpack to Dad.

We came upon these locks near the beginning.  People purchase them and hang them on chains along the wall, representing prayers or wishes.

Walking up the steps is not as easy as one might think.  They are very worn and uneven.  One step might be 6 inches high, while the next one might be 2 feet high.  There are deep depressions in the steps along the sides near the railings from the contant foot traffic.  Chunks are missing.  It's impossible to get a rhythm going.  I can't imagine what it would be like to try this in the winter with ice on it.  It was very hot this day (in the 90's), on account of the lovely sunshine.

Apparently, camel parking is an option.

Mom made it to the 2nd watchtower before feeling like passing out.  It was here that Dad and I left her for the rest of the time.  Check out her perspective of the Great Wall on her blog post.

I continued making my way up the steps.  Dad followed a little way behind.  At one point I paused to catch my breath.  Two men came up to me, speaking in Mandarin and pointing to their camera.  "Oh, you want me to take a picture of you two?"  I said, naively to myself (remember this was only my second day in China).  As I reached for their camera, the one holding it backed up while the other wrapped his arm around my shoulder and put on a big grin.

Oh.

Another man walked up as these two were snapping the picture and stood next to me, getting his turn with the human photo-op. At this rate I was never going to make it to the top of the wall.   Before anyone else could get in line, I said goodbye and began sprinting up the steps.  I didn't stop until I reached the top watchtower.

An interesting mix of old and new.

I found this little praying mantis enjoying the view.

Eventually, Dad appeared at the top also.  We decided it was time to snap our "triumphant conquering hero" pictures while trying to stop gasping for air. (Note to low altitude Floridians: I don't recommend running up the steps of the Great Wall if you don't want to be a sweaty, heaving mess when you get to the top.)

Poor Mom was down below, sitting amongst Chinese tourists, trying not to throw up.  She eventually made her way back down to the bottom, where we found her.