The Great Wall

It's so hard to blog about The Great Wall.  Where do you start?  I think it's best to give a little background on it, so you realize just how "GREAT" it really is:

1. It began being built in 7th century... BC (Before Christ just to verify that is not a typo) until the 17th Century.
Come on - if that's not enough to blow you away, just stop reading.

2. It is the largest fortification ever built.
It was hand built to protect China dynasties from various raids.

3. It is over 5,500 miles long.
That is about 1.5 times the width of the USA from L.A. to N. Carolina.  Hand made, people.

I could go on and on with more facts just as long as the wall itself.  But if you are bored someday and want to be amazed by all the details, Google.  It's just amazing.

So amazing, in fact, that my unprofessional pictures will probably do nothing to justify it's glory.  So I'll just ramble a bit so I can remember my experience. (note- these pics are taken over two separate trips)

My CAT "mentor" (yes, I like to call you that) took me to the great wall within the first couple weeks of my arrival to Beijing.  She told me I needed to see it and she wanted to show me the best place to tour it/how to climb it/etc.  So I strapped my 6-month old Veronica on my Baby Bjorn and off we went.

Big Mistake.

Don't ever, ever, ever take a breast fed baby on a hike of The Great Wall in the middle of summer with an out of shape mother.  I'm just saying.  I haven't exercised in years and this was not the way to begin.  But even though I was drenched in sweat and tired beyond belief, it was SO worth it to go with someone who had been there before.  She showed me where to go (there are several places you can climb it) and the best way to hike it.  Without her, I would have been even more exhausted because she showed me where to get on and be able to climb "down" most of the hike instead of climbing "up."

The Great Wall is about a 45-60 minute drive from my house.  The drive to where we started our hike includes a healthy climb in elevation just to get partially up the mountain.  

Once you arrive, you have to do a little pre-climb just to buy your tickets and get to the cable car.  This pre-climb is also a post-climb, since you end up finishing at the same place you started.  It's an entertaining climb to say the least, filled with tons of cool crap to buy.

Note to all: don't buy anything until AFTER the climb!

I snagged a pic of this dude all dressed up.  Stacey was like, "You are SO lucky he didn't see you.  You are supposed to pay to take his picture."  Ya snooze, ya lose buddy.

I found myself sweating and out of breath just climbing the hill to get entry tickets.  Then, after you climb a serious incline, you get to "relax" and take a cable car the rest of the way up.

For those of you who know me and my issue with heights, inclosed places, and suspensions... not good.  This was not relaxing.  

I wondered if the "fog" was really fog or if the pollution continued all the way out here from the city.  I think theory #2 was correct.  

The (much) better view on a good day:

This part of the Great Wall we visited is an "easy" walk/climb.  It has been well taken care of and supposably the simplest journey.  Tell that to these new tennis shoes and I think they would disagree.

It's true there are other locations of the wall where you have to get on your hands and knees to get across and you travel at your "own risk."

The shear magnitude of this amazing wonder is beyond belief.  And the beauty..... 

breathtaking. 

There are many watchtowers you walk through on the journey.  These were set up for defense as well as environmental shelters.  This is a pic of my hubs and FIL climbing down out of the top of one.

There's something to be said about this amazing piece of history.  I feel so blessed to have been able to see it in my lifetime.  For me, it's more than just stone piled up in the mountains.  It's a display of hard work, intelligence, dedication, ........

and for others it is even more, I'm sure.

If the climb up the wall itself is not enough to amaze you, then hold on for the ride down.  Cause it's another "only in China" moment.  You take a slide.  Yes, a slide down.  

And here's your only method of instruction. 

Don't forget to test the brake first.

These puppies can move.  I was seriously laughing hysterically and going so fast.... I almost hit the hubs several times.  He kept yelling, "SLOW DOWN LIZ!"  Hey peeps - I haven't driven in 4 months.  And those of you who know me are aware of my driving habits.

More to post soon.  I've been so behind on blogging.  Mainly because I've been too busy.... which means I have a lot to show everyone!  I have gotten numerous emails about our house and what a home in China looks like - I will post soon.