The Great (and rather scary) Wall of China

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Well, I know why I was so cold yesterday - the wind brought the temperature to minus twenty degrees. And there was a lot of wind. Unfortunately, today was no different, so before we headed off to the Great Wall of China I got suited up in thermal base layers, trousers, t-shirt, cardigan, fleece, coat, scarf, hat and two pairs of gloves. Even that, however, was not enough! Our guide from the hostel was a little old Chinese man who spoke absolutely no English, and he took us to a completely unrestored part of the wall, nestled away in the middle of nowhere. Unrestored meant that our tour group (9 of us) were the only ones there, but it also meant that we had to hike through the blistering wind up high in the hills, and then walk along a high wall with no railings that was crumbling beneath our feet. Before we'd even reached the wall, Arran's glasses, the camera lens and even my hair had all frozen over!! And the wind was so powerful that it kept knocking everyone down, so I ended up literally crawling, or shimmying along on my backside, along the Great Wall of China. How dignified. Because it was so cold and windy, we didn't get many pictures because we didn't want to risk ruining the camera - we didn't even take a kippin or t-shirt picture (sorry mum!). the views were fantastic though, and it was certainly an experience I'll never forget (not just because I was fairly certain we were all going to die up there). The old Chinese man was amazing though, he just kept speeding along the wall ahead of us and dashing back and risking death to chase his hat that the wind had carried away. He must have thought we were all a bunch of wimps!

But anyway we survived it, and are hoping to go back to a more restored part of the wall on a slightly less windy day!!

Oh and mum - good luck with the teeth! xxx

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Photos

Me on the Great Wall
You can see how my hair and scarf are starting to frost over!

Comments

[Mum]

Happy New Year!
I love your commentary - it feels as though we are all here with you - and are enjoying everything you are (except of course the freezing temperatures!) Still a bit of snow makes it festive Keep sending - I love the pics Kung Hei Fat Choi! - If you want to know what it means - as the nearest native! Luv ya loads Mumx

[susan houlbrook]

WOW!!!!!
I am soooooo.....jealous. It looks fantastic. Mind you, I would prefer +20 degrees. Hope Mark and Aaron are wearing an extra layer too. By the way, teeth out and teeth in. Very sore but probably worth it. Will let you know. Will speak on Sunday. 9.30pm your time. Mum xxxxxx

[Cait]

Happy Birthday!!!!
Happy Birthday Ceri i dunno if this is how you post it but oh well have a great time Love Cait, Ami, Juliet and Charlie babezz