Great Wall: May 16

Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 12:50 PM Beijing
Location: White van somewhere between the Great Wall and Beijing proper

Wo de shen bu hao. My health is bad. I don't want to be in one of the most amazing places in the world and begrudge a few steps, or not want to continue because I can't, or it hurts. That's why I'm traveling young. I'm not in the sort of shape I need to be in at 20 years old. Climbing the Great Wall today taught me that. Worse than the trouble breathing (yes I used my inhaler), was the feeling that my knees and ankles were jello. I quite honestly thought with every step of the walk back to the cable car they'd give out on me. So in front of all reading this blog, I am resolving to improve my health by means of a more active lifestyle and attempts at better eating. I'm not going to make any outrageous claims here like quitting French fries cold turkey or committing to exercise 4 times a week. Life happens. To get back to today:

I didn't sleep well last night at all. I was waking up for no reason and sleep simply didn't want to be my friend. After breakfast, we left for the Great Wall around 6:30.The group doing the 6 mile hike left at 6. My group had 5 from IUP, one woman, and 3 girls from Britain studying in Moscow for a year and on break presently.

It wasn't until we'd been driving for a while and reached farmlands, suburbs, and slums that we realized just how far away we were going. The cable car (more like a ski lift) ride up was gorgeous, and there was even serene music playing. We headed off to the right when we got off, fending away postcard sellers by the first guard house. Down hill climbing was really rough for me, partly physically, partly because I was sure I'd be falling straight down the stairs--in my opinion a valid fear given that it wouldn't be the first time.

I made it as far as three guard houses. At the second, there were two women selling cold drinks, Ritz crackers, and miscellaneous useful things like batteries. At the third were two more women selling more of the same. We talked to them for a good half an hour and they were very friendly. Looking at the time, partway to the fourth tower I turned back and explored the third one until the others came back. the uphill portion of the climb back was a lot easier on my knees, but not so much on my breathing.

I opted not to try my reflexes on the sharp cornered tobaggon/luge ride down and took the cable car again with 2 of the 5 of us. We had just enough time left to explore the tourist trap of vendors. We decided we were done when a man attempted to steal from a Chinese woman's purse. She started fighting back and several people restrained him..two of her friends had to restrain her or she would have kept beating him. We made our exit from the clutches of the market stalls shortly thereafter and went back to the bus. I've only seen one gas station since arriving, and we went shortly after leaving the Wall. I'm really curious now where all the city cars must fill up. The ride back was otherwise uneventful, though we enjoyed conversing with the students from Moscow. At the beginning of the trip we were given a sandwich and water bottle. I decided not to eat the sandwich and am really hungry now. The room's empty. I think it could be a few hours before the hikers come back. We leave for Chengdu in the morning, so I supposed I'll pack after I'm nourished. I'm tempted to take the subway and go shopping, but I probably shouldn't do that on my own. I'm buying a phone card today to try calling home and Mike tonight or tomorrow.

Erin

Location: Bed 121-F in the Far East International Youth Hostel
Time: 2:09 PM Beijing
Date: Friday, May 16