The Great Wall

    
     The Great Wall was an expierence to remember.  I climbed the wall alone.  There was not a tour guide nor an English speaker with me, making this expierence beautiful.  I climbed the steps in silence, stopping for a quick photo or to catch my breath.

     The stairs were steep and worn down from thousands of footsteps.  The hand rail was too short and the first part to tower two was crowded, but the crowed thinned out as I climbed and soon, it was just a few of us.

The base of The Great Wall

     Along the way, I was stared at.  The looks were not rude,  instead they were kind and intrigued by my western looks.  Since I am traveling in the off season and during a national holiday, I was the rare foreigner that was about.  I was asked by many Chinese to be in their photographs.  I felt exotic and beautiful, adding to the expierence.   I met wonderful individuals who each had a story.  I exchanged conversation (my broken spanish) with ladies from Spain, Brazil, and Ireland. 

     As the stairs loomed ahead, I continued to climb.  My layers were removed and I wished that I had not worn leggings underneath my pants.  At every tower, I would rest and take in the scenery.  I would wonder how the wall kept out monguls and seperated ancient kindoms.  I thought about how war has been around for so long. 

View from the base of the wall

    When I reached the peak, I cracked open a beer and toasted to myself.  I relaxed and placed myself between two stones.  I sat and took in the view.  I was proud of my accomplishment and was still in awe of this great man-made structure. 
    

    

Rickshaw

Take a Ride With Me

     I also rode a rickshaw today and explored the old city of Beining.  This was my second time, the first being in India.  I had a guide with me and she explained how much China has changed since 1997.  She is happy with the new changes. 
     Halfway on the tour, we got off the rickshaw and walked the old streets.  The streets were narrow and very similar to alley ways.  She explained that many people retire to this area, because it a reprieve from the busy city life.  Cars will not fit in the narrow streets, as a result, it is very quite. 

Narrow Streets of Old Beijing

     The homes look small from the outside, but when you enter through the door, you realize that it is comprised of a square courtyard with four rooms facing the north, south, east, and west.  The largest room, belongs to the head of the household.  The next largest in size belongs to the son.  The smallest room belonged to the servants.  I went into a local home.  It was small and worn.  The occupants along with others in the area, use a public bathroom, a reminder of how China still needs to grow. 

The House Doors Decorated for the Year of the Rabbit

Courtyard

The Son's House

The Veil of a Bride

     Later in the evening, I visited a tea house.  Who would have though how much work should go into making a cup of tea.  I learned so much!  From which type of tea pot to use to the all of the benefits from drinking tea.

Tea House Seminar

     P.S.  If you vistit The Great Wall, make sure you do not go with a big group.  I had a private tour and did not have any restrictions on time, something that made the expierence worthwhile.