The Great Wall of China

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Today we woke early to take the 3 hour bus to the Great Wall. It was freakin freezing out so we brought the blankets that we borrowed from the airplane for scarves. We arrived around 9:30 am and began our hike. The trip we signed up for was a 5 mile hike from Jinshanling to Simata, the part that I unknowingly signed up for was the fact that the wall is composed mostly of uneven stairs. I never want to see another staircase again, unless it's moving! Anyway, as soon as we stepped onto the wall a little 65 year old Mongolian lady began walking with us telling us to be careful on the steep steps and trying her best to point out some history as we hiked. There were 30 towers on the 5 mile hike and she counted for us up until the 15th tower at which point she was able to finagle 110 RNB out of Bryan for a package of chopsticks, that's equivelent to about 15 US dollars. This lady was a trooper because I think I was weezing and she was just hiking along on the wall with no problem.
The views from the wall were very sureal, we were lucky to be with a small group and everyone was at their own pace so at times I couldn't see another soul on the wall for as far as I could see. I was able to post one picture as my profile on facebook so check it out if you can. This trip took a lot out of me because I'm so out of shape but it was worth every step!
Once I got back to the hostel I took a shower with absolutely no hot water, or even warm for that matter. Imagine being outside all day long in MI in the dead of winter, finally getting home and jumping in the shower in a bathroom with no heat and an open window and finding out that the damn water is ice cold. I jumped in and out literally and got as clean as I possibly could. I hope I never have to experience that again!

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Photos

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Taking it all in....

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I had a smile on my face because I didn't know how intense the hike was going to be!

Comments

[Mom]

Hey Bud!
Hi, I am so happy that you started this blog. It had to be surreal standing on the Great Wall. I am sure you are happy to be in some warm weather now. It was 6 degrees here yesterday, so you're in a good spot. Great detail in your writing.Dad and I really enjoyed it. We love you, Stay safe! Mom and Dad

[Ashlie]

Wow. You were on something with such an amazing history. Hopefully you took a lot of pictures! Bummer about the shower. I have done that camping... freezing our butts off all day then jumped into a almost freezing river to get clean. Not the most comfortable moment! Have fun and keep the e-mails coming!!