The Great Wall

Day two (Thursday) of playing tourist. Today with our hired driver we conquered the Great Wall, or at least successfully navigated our ascent and descent. The part that was most amazing to me was that the wall is built at the highest crest of very steep mountains. For us modern folks getting up there was an effort and they not only did not have our conveniences but were lugging building materials with them.

Although this portion of the wall has both an enclosed tram and a ski-lift to get you up to it, we opted to walk up and take the toboggan down. It really does seem like a bit of an amusement park when viewed that way. Also, you must first traverse the gauntlet of sellers who apparently get more and more aggressive as you near the tram departure point. I didn't have to go that direction but Gretchen - upon twisting her ankle and forgoing the walk back to the toboggan - came down via the tram and had to navigate her way through the horde.

The views were rather spectacular up on the wall, and more than once we voiced happiness that this was the "slack" season, meaning cooler temps and hardly anyone on the wall. I would hate to be there when the sweaty crowds take over.

After the wall, our driver took us to a hot pot establishment. However, due to our combined lack of communication skills, we were left to his choice of ordering. We can only hazard a guess to why he ordered the quantity or type of hot pot but we ended up with a very spicy one that had that Sichuan mouth numbing element. It was less than enjoyable.

Today (Friday) begins the second part of my trip - holding down the fort (office). Kate is gone, Gretchen left this morning, today I move into Kate's apartment, and, at work, start the job of making sure things get done...