(2) Trekking the Great Wall of China.

  Yes, indeed.    There it was!     Arguably the greatest ancient architectural/engineering achievement for mankind.   

  The Great Wall of China.    We all visited hundreds of times, ...but only via pictures and documentaries.      And we were there for the first time facing it in person!!   My first impression??    Well.., speechless(!)    An experience in which we are compelled to transcend our race, our nationality...; and simply (as members of this great planet Earth) admire, appreciate and be proud of such epic achievement.    

  Right off the bat, calming down our excitement became a very difficult task...  Yes!.  Deep inside our chest, excitement and tension so inflated that they would literally pop any minute!!

   It was grandeur, exhilarating,   ...and more than anything, POWERFUL!!   

  The Great Wall is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick and other earthly materials.  History tells us that many separate walls (distance apart one another) were constructed since 7th century BC on Northern border of Chinese states.     The walls were built (east to west) to protect them from the invasions and raids of the various nomadic groups of the region including Mongolians.     Not until the Qin dynasty era however (and the famous Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China) those walls were joined, extended and fortified (220-296 BC) and it became to be known as the 'Great Wall'.      History tells us that the Great Wall kept on evolving (refortified), playing important role in Chinese territorial defense until Ming dynasty (14th century).   

  So the Great Wall...     Actual length of the Wall is known to be about 4,000-4,500 Km -again running east to west, but including the branches and extensions, it is believed to have the total length of well over 7,000 Km.      Simply put -provided my bad math skill works, it represents a rough distance of 3,000 to 3,500 our miles east to west.    ...and that is stretching out from New York to -pass Chicago, and possibly reaching as far west as Denver.     Amazing!! 

  The Great Wall, as you can see in my pictures, is comprised of corridors, watch towers, troop barracks, as well as garrison stations for smoke or fire signaling capabilities when attacked; ...on all 3,000 plus miles of it(!) 

   Again, it is the world's longest and narrowest fortress with corridors and steps; barracks and watch towers...

    Anyway -and under the circumstances, 'playing tourists' and skimming thru, taking 'I was here' shots, in no way would have been acceptable to me and Megan, my companion.     Our rendezvous with the Great Wall had to be more!   It had to be heroic(??).., more commemorative,  ...and yes, more epic!

   ...and hence, our 6-7 miles trekking of the Wall far away from the usual spots for tourism.   Well, need to confess however that our pursuit was not terribly wise (or smart), for it didn't take much time for us to realize that the trekking became a very tiresome, risky and challenging adventure! 

   Due to frequent ups and downs, uneven floor and bad surface conditions, running was prohibitive and even walking very risky and demanding (many sectors required hikers to crawl to negotiate the bad surface conditions).     ...on top of that, the early summer sun, heat and thirst gave us challenge a lot bigger than what we originally bargained for.    

    Photo showing all seven members of our trekking team (three from Baltimore, one from Montreal, Canada and two of us, and of course one local Chinese guide -man in yellow shirt) struggling at about mid-point.     

   Then again, we don't regret at all of our insolence, fearlessness; just as we would not hesitate to recommend our readers to do the same.      Yes, friends!  This was the Great Wall.   Sweating and touching its older than 2 millennia surfaces; looking over the greatest mountain views at all(360 degree) angles; feeling underneath your very feet the greatest of human will-power for creation...   They were all worthwhile!    They may be the best of memories to bring home; ...and hang on until the day we all leave this life (for the next one!).    

   Ah, by the way for your venture, we suggest good (light) hiking shoes and gear; ...and plenty of water bottles!!     

  Then, resting was in in order.     Watching down the valley from a shadowy corner of the Wall, we meet mountain breeze.., oh so sweet and cool!

  If anyone however, yours truly could never enjoy the luxury(resting) for long; (constant) baby seating the camera equipment was always the priority.

   While trekking the Wall -completely devoid of any tourists, we run into interesting local people (and stories), like this newly wedding couple.   They seek to reinforce their matrimonial ties on the Wall.     

   ...and this old man.    Looking back the gone 'glorious' days the chairman Mao Zedong; the real 'Red' era of his memories.

    It is not everyday that a photographer has the fortune of running into a model like him (especially in a place like this).      So, story telling; so photogenic he is!!       Well, it cost me well worth 10.00 US dollars, I should add.

   And the sad case of an unfortunate puppy.    After a mile or so, he decides to revolt against the will of his hiking owners.    He absolutely refuses to continue the journey.

   The south side of the Wall.    One can appreciate the solidity and average height of this thing!!

     And yes, finally!!     This was the finishing-point (at least for our trekking, Thank God!!) .      Even at very near 'Worm Speed', all seven members of our team crossed the line without any big issue.     You bet it was a proud moment!!    

    In retrospect, everyone of us added 5-6 hours to the most glorious moments of our lives!      

   One final look at the panoramic view of the Wall.

   The Great Wall...     despite of it all, it presents to our generations great dilemma and irony.    It demands from us all, an important homework and understanding.      After two millennia, how do we embrace and glorify the achievement but at the same time justify the cost and sacrifices fundamental for such achievement.      The blood, sweat and tears of people; history tells us that during hundreds of years of construction time, tens of thousands of construction workers died and varied inside the foundation of the Wall.     

   To reiterate, The Great Wall -and the history, therefore pose an important question to all of us: "How do we embrace both the achievement and its ultimate human cost (sacrifices and hardship for common people)?".   

   Please join me in our next travel to another Unesco Cultural Site of Xi-An and its mysterious Terracotta Warriors.