Another GREAT Adventure.

After almost three full weeks of work I finally received a much-needed day off. One in which I envisioned myself with my feet up, sipping a nice cold beverage and a little something I call relaxing. But even after my continuous ten hour days always on my feet, your truly chose the exact opposite of the ‘perfect day off.’ Hello Great Wall of China…part TWO.




The nice thing about my work environment is that my co-workers are all around my age. So naturally, a group has formed and I must say it’s pretty solid. My new friends include two recent college grads from Staten Island, two Michiganers, and a kid who just spent his past year teaching English in Thailand to name a bunch! Since this is all of their first time in China, Mike, Ian, Anthony, Cait and myself have been perfect little tour guides, bringing them to the sites in Beijing and taking them out to traditional Chinese dinners. So it is only fitting that our Great Wall adventure be together.






If you remember a previous blog, the seven Tongliao teachers traveled to the Great Wall last year. We visited the more touristy and basically rebuilt section of the wall called Badaling. I have been informed by many of you that Matt Lauer filmed a segment of the Today Show there last week and some of the members of the USA basketball team visited that section yesterday.


Badaling Section.










Simatai Section.






So as we were planning the trip, Mike, Anthony and I decided that we wanted to see a more remote section of the wall. We chose the two-hour trip to Simatai, a favored section of Wall for hikers. It is unrestored and the most difficult section to climb. We booked a private bus and twelve of us ventured two hours northeast of Beijing for a spectacular climb.






We spent about four hours climbing from the West end of the Simatai Wall to the East and back! It was phenomenal. I remember writing in my previous entry that Badaling took my breath away but Simatai did not even compare. It was more majestic and more authentic. This section of the wall was not restored so at one point, we reached an end to the wall because beyond a certain point, the wall begins to crumble. In some areas, we walked on sections just two bricks (40cm) wide, which locals call the taint, or “stairway to heaven.” Even when you think it is inaccessible (I was holding on for dear life because there were no railings), reaching the watchtower of the most difficult areas was amazing.





Our group did a pretty good job. After about a half hour in, we noticed a change in pace, so we split up. The smokers were having a bit of difficulty so they took their time, while six of us continued on, taking quick breaks at every watchtower.




When we left Beijing, the smog was tremendously bad. Even two hours out of the city, we had pretty hazy skies. I would have wished for a clearer day so that our views would be better but overall we had a great time. But it was HOT. I think we were all soaked and those that chose not to apply sunscreen looked like the Chinese flag the next day. The best part of our trip was everyone’s reaction. For Mike and Anthony, this was their third time to the Great Wall (a new section) and my second. We still had the same reaction and were in the same state of awe as the newbies. The Great Wall of China truly is Great and to think that this structure was built by man boggles my mind. There is a reason why this is the greatest fortification in human history.