Presenting

To Those Who Want to Know about the Big Ticket Item.

Amy and I went to the Great Wall of China yesterday and it had the bluest sky of anywhere we have been so far in China and everyone got wind and sun burned. Just imagine a cool but clear morning and a huge wall snaking on the top of the mountain ridges surrounding you and also imagine watching where you stepped because every couple stairs are a different height from the previous stairs to stop the invading Mongols and tourists from getting far.

We left Beijing super early in the morning by long distance bus to avoid the crowds (which worked), walked up to the wall dodging wall paraphanelia in the beginning and being dogged by the steep stairs at the end, walked til we could see an area that has not been reconstructed and took a ski lift down. Then, we returned by local "bus;" a large van that picked people up and dropped them off along the way taking the bus route but cheaper. Our route was half the amount charged by the touring companies and we had a wonderful time. It looks the same as in the pictures except it is so hard to believe you are actually on the wall.

It is hard to believe there are only five more days of China. Love to all, Elaine