Most of us working in the CDT have only one day off out of our 5 weeks here. However, instead of spending that one day resting or doing some sort of light shopping, we decided to embark on a monstrous 11 kilometer journey atop the Great Wall of China - Jinshanling style!
The Jingshanling section of the Great Wall is unlike the more popular and tourist-filled section of Badaling as it is much less restored, making it a fair bit more treacherous. It was definitely quite a challenge for me... possibly one of the most challenging physical tests of my entire life. Definitely an unforgettable experience had by all.
This section of the Wall is in a pretty remote location and is surrounded by some pretty steep hills, so getting there by automobile is not an option. It's almost as if it was built to keep people from ever reaching or crossing it... strange. Fortunately, some time within the 500 years since the wall was finished, someone invented the cable car.
we made it!
below is one of the "guides" (aka water, t-shirt, and other miscellaneous trinket salesmen.) this fine gentleman scales the Wall every single day whist chain-smoking hand rolled cigarettes. he is over 70 years old.
amazing.
speaking of amazing, here are some of the views from the Wall.
So, by now you get the picture. Here's the drill: First, you climb an amazingly steep series of steps and rocks until you reach a tower. You then take a small rest in the shade of said tower whilst you drink water and listen to a sales pitch by one of your "guides." After a few minutes, you get tired of said sales pitch and you continue your journey up to the next tower. Sometimes it is even a steeper climb than the last, sometimes it is a sharp descent down a slope of uneven and crumbled rocks and steps. Rarely is it an even and level surface.
We traversed 33 towers. It took us 5 hours. Near the end my legs were twitching and felt like jelly. I had to stop every few steps to take a break.
Good times!!!
Here are a couple of nice people we met along the way. The first is a brave man with a heart of gold. Moments before this photo he was sitting up on that very precariously crumbled wall. the sign says "Danger! Keep Away" (click to enlarge)
This little girl was completely delighted by our presence. She wouldn't stop taking pictures of us with her camera phone. So, I decided to take a picture with her :)
So, you might be wondering by now: "If they had to take a cable car to get all the way up there.. well, how did they get down?" The answer is simple! Two words: Zip Line!
aka "The Flying Fox"
p.s. I cannot take all the credit for most of these fine photos. May I present to you one mister Antonios Antoniou. He lugged a heavy Canon SLR and and a gigantic zoom lens for the entire trek. You sir are my hero.
Thanks, Tony!
Once we we're all safe and sound at the bottom of the hill. this nice gentleman came and picked us up in his cozy little boat.
After our much needed lunch, I enjoy a much deserved treat :)
Viennetta-on-a-stick! Who knew such a marvelous delight even existed?!? I'm sure I will never see one again.
the ride home:
Well that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed the memories from our little trip to the Great Wall. I'll leave you with one last group shot:
huí tóu jiàn!
(see you later!)
-Sean
