04/13/05 The Great Wall

We rode up to the top of the Mu Tien Yu part of the Great Wall, in a cable car, much like those at Mount Snow. Note a Great Wall guard tower between Justin and Stephanie's heads.

A Fly on the "Wall"
by Noel Porter

Today started unlike any other day. First off, we were finally settled in a new country, secondly, there were about 18 hungry Americans searching for breakfast.

This breakfast was quite elusive, seeming, as it was two floors below where all of us were searching. Once we all found the breakfast the day started to roll. We hopped on the bus and headed to the Great Wall where we completed our aerobic exercise for the day. Stepping into the swarming market of souvenirs, along with the extremely large wall, made me feel especially small. The feeling can be compared to standing on the beach looking out into the ocean and watching the waves crash upon the shore.

We were all previously warned at the tenacity and ruthlessness of the souvenir venders. There was hardly a moment when the words ÒCola! Water! Beer!Ó was being yelled. This is where the lesson of the day came in, stay in pairs while walking through a walkway of vendors. People who were slightly detached from the group seemed to send out either a certain smell, or electrical impulse, that attracted hundreds of vendors peddling tee-shirts, Mao watches, stamps, and pretty much everything else.

Once we got past the vendors we finally experienced the majesty of the Great Wall. Standing on steps that are over one thousand years old sent chills up and down my spine. It made me stop and think about how much labor it must have taken to construct such a formidable wall.  I cannot begin to fathom why anyone would dare to wage war against the wall. First off, depending on where you are, it is a very long hike; secondly, it is all mountains that make Mount Snow look like a molehill. Once your army gets to the wall you have an upward battle against a couple hundred thousand troops who donÕt stop for three hundred miles either way. It was a thought that would make anyone stop and sit down.

After traveling the beaten path we split up for ways to get down. My group took the aluminum slide that winded down the Great Hill. It was a 40-Yuan trip down but well worth it. We slipped down the mountain with much elated shouting and ate a wonderful lunch.  After a brief period of bargaining and purchasing we reluctantly climbed onto the bus and headed back to the hotel. Our last snapshot was as we passed under the sign that said "Welcome to Mu Tien Yu Great Wall next time!"

there were two ways to get off the Wall and down to the town below. Ms. Brooks and Ryan and some others took this way and some folks walked down 100's of steps.

IN THE EVENING WE WENT TO DINNER AND THEN THE ACROBATIC SHOW. WANT TO SEE? CLICK HERE