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?
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Great Wall, Mutianu
Passing through the first guardhouse going west, we find the interior walls white washed, then covered with graffiti in every conceivable language. Not bad stuff. Not even marginal stuff. It’s names—the signatures of those who came before us.
With a big smile on her face, Holly whips out a green pen. I whip out a black pen.
And we become part of the Wall’s history.
(Beats the heck out of that time I nearly got kicked out of the original Hard Rock in London for signing a wall there.)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Great Wall, Mutianu
You know in your head what to expect.
And you’re wrong.
After disembarking from the cable car, then following more steps, then climbing a ladder-like section, we surfaced on top of The Great Wall of China. I stood up. Turned west. Took one look at a centuries old image made of ancient stones, snaking its way across the mountain ridges in front of me.
Yup. Tears. Quiet little is-this-really-happening-to-me tears overflowing eyes brimming with joy.
Trust me. You don’t know. Not until you get there.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Great Wall, Mutianu
After an hour and a half drive through the countryside on twisting two lane roads (at lickety-split speed), we arrived at the foot of Mutianu, the section of the Wall I wanted to see. Unlike the closer and more frequented Badaling section, this one’s a lot quieter with far fewer tourists to clamor over.
You start the process by climbing steep (and I do mean steep) steps and ramps though fruit stands and souvenir stalls to get to the cable cars that take you the rest of the way. Admittedly, we had to stop a couple of times during our climb, just to breathe. One poor couple ahead of us simply halted half way up, with her unable to scale another step. It’s a workout.
So, we make it to the cable car building, find ourselves alone on the platform (like I said, not nearly as populated as Badaling), are shown to a car, hop in…and start giggling.
There, on the glass directly ahead of us, are the words:
“President William J. Clinton took this car down the Great Wall on June 28th, 1998”
Cool beans, baby. Cool beans.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
