Success only runs one direction....
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Beijing
As you walk along the Long Corridor, you come to four evenly spaced pavilions, each representing one of the four seasons. Inside, even the ceilings are layered with rich jewel tones crafted into intricate paintings that tell ancient stories and picture Chinese virtues.
This is the Jilan pavilion. I think it’s either spring or summer, but don’t quote me on that.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Beijing
One of the most impressive features of the Summer Palace is The Long Corridor, zig-zagging along the coastline, beginning at the Hall of Happiness and Longevity. It’s an exquisite sight, with 17,000 hand painted images adorning every square inch of its half mile length, including the rafters, making it both the longest and the most elaborately decorated corridor in Chinese garden architecture.
The Corridor is a peaceful place, heavily shaded by trees on both sides, and Kunming Lake on the left. I can easily imagine long, slow strolls by beautifully adorned Empresses years ago. The place is simply magical.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Beijing
It’s one thing to run into a fellow Minnesotan or two on the Great Wall (yeah, an understatement, I know).
It’s quite another to be strolling along, deep in conversation, when someone runs up, taps you on the shoulder, and says “Hey, I thought you were going to the Great Wall today!”
Yup. It happened.
A woman I met at the Pearl Market yesterday remembered our conversation, including my plans to see the Wall this morning. I told her we’d just come from there. She wished me a happy birthday (remembered that too), and was off.
Holly, of course, was initially stunned, looking at me as if a third eye had grown from the middle of my forehead. Then she stopped. Shrugged. Smiled. And said “Cinda, you know everyone in China.”
Not quite. But I’m working on it.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Beijing
Following our hour-plus race through the hills back to Beijing, we visited the Summer Palace, where the Qing Dynasty retreated to when escaping the steamy city heat. Including the lush parks, a river and its three lakes (Kunming, West, and South), this little getaway lays out over about 2 square miles, overlooking the lakes from Longevity Hill.
How’s that for “lakeshore property?”
From the moment you enter the grounds, you’re surrounded by gardens, dragons and lions. The carving above is one near the entry, on a side wall, featuring the ever-powerful dragons and a giant pearl.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Great Wall, Mutianu
Here’s an example of just how pitched some of the Wall is you’re traipsing along. Holly’s not an acrobat or hanging onto something off camera; she’s standing upright. Of course, in taking the photo, it didn’t occur to me to line it up based on gravity and a true sense of vertical; I held it in line with by body that was also standing on the same slant.
When corrected, well…just look at her wisps of hair in the adjusted photo below. They fall straight down, with gravity.
Now you see what walking the Wall really means.
Any questions?
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Great Wall, Mutianu
So, we’ve taken the Christmas card photo, during which we heard a couple of Americans speaking to a woman nearby we’d just had a visit with. Naturally, we say hello, and ask where they’re from.
Minnesota.
Where in Minnesota?
St. Cloud. All of an hour’s drive from my house—with traffic.
Turns out Cindy Melloy was in China visiting her son, Matthew, who’d been studying Chinese in Shanghai as part of his studies through Colorado College. The two of them were traveling all over the mainland, soaking in sites, and enjoying the adventure.
We chatted for several minutes about home, about China, and about how lucky we are to have these kinds of opportunities.
It really is a small world, after all. I mean, hey, this is the section of the wall with very little traffic, and still, I run into someone from my own back yard??? Go figure.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Great Wall, Mutianu
This is the one that goes on the Christmas card, no question. What has me smiling, though, is half about being on The Wall and half about what happened moments beforehand.
Holly, in her very gentle way, decided to make my birthday one of celebration. As we stopped to guzzle some water, she suddenly produces packages of seriously yummy cookies and crackers from her shoulder bag for us to snack on. But before we take our first bite, she breaks into a huge grin…steps back about a half dozen paces…and belts out a chorus of “Happy Birthday.” It was absolutely divine, unexpected, heart warming, and perfect. I can’t put into words how much that meant, standing on top of the world, no less.
Right after that, she took this photo. It’s no understatement when I say I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life. What a gift.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Great Wall, Mutianu
The other thing you can’t imagine is how crazy the sun is up here. It’s hazy. It’s intense. And it’s wicked. Makes taking pictures tough (wish I had a polarized filter with me) and avoiding sunburn a challenge.
Also makes the surveillance towers cool islands of respite, easily fifteen to twenty degrees lower than outside. Might explain why Holly is smiling so broadly (so was I, but since stepping foot on the Wall, that’s been my permanent expression).
Each tower is just a little bit different from the next, in size, shape, layout, and feel. Kind of like turning a new corner each time you enter one. Some have steps that climb two stories high…some have maze-like floor plans…some are just simple little rooms like this one. All are steeped in history 500 years long, which makes every one of them a treasure.
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