The Great Wall is located about 70 kilometers north of the City of Beijing. It can be accessed through bus or trains, but with several stop overs. Since we were constrained by time, my host daughter Dionne hired a taxi for one whole day for our trip. Luckily, my “bunso” joined us here in Beijing to become our portable ATM.
The trip by taxi took us more than an hour. It was a smooth ride except when we reached the foot of the mountains and the steep climb started. The mountain road is similar to (Kennon Road) in Baguio. As we got closer to the mountain top, we started seeing some parts of the Great Wall. We had to go around several mountains to reach one of the entrances to the wall. I think there are more than eight entrances to the Great Wall. Unfortunately, the cable car was not working during our visit and we really had to climb the wall by foot.
I was completely flabbergasted by the sight when I started scaling the wall. It was a breath-taking experience climbing up the steep road, considering that both my wife and I have knee problems. Fortunately, we brought our knee braces and my ever-reliable walking cane. People must have thought that I am crazy. Why should an old man like me with a walking stick climb the Great Wall? But I had to be brave. I went to China to experience the hard climb of the world famous wall. And I am already here, with or without a cane, I will struggle on.
As we expected, the climb was very hard for old people. Unfortunately for Espie, my wife, she had to abandon her desire and sensible thinking prevailed. After two towers, she decided to just stay behind and wait for us on the way back. But the stubborn me soldiered on. After all, I have my daughter’s boyfriend as a back up just in case I could not walk anymore.
The next tower looked more formidable and steeper than the first two. There were slopping walkways instead of steps. Good thing there were handrails along the side. I had to pull up myself with every step, until finally reaching the top of the third tower. I had to take a rest in the enclosure of the third tower to enjoy the panoramic view surrounding me.
Another peep to the next venture gave me the creeps. Should I go on or swallow my pride and walk back? The foolish part of me again overcame my fear. No guts, no glory. I brought my Voltaren cream and Panadol Osteo tablets, so “Up I go again.” You are just a tower and maybe “Great” but I am “Obet.” But this time, I asked Rob to stay close behind me just in case I would need help. I was surprised when I reached the fourth tower, I felt stronger. Maybe because of the clean air I was breathing or maybe because of the challenge.
From afar, I could see the other parts of the Great Wall as they lord it over the mountains. I really could not fathom how this was constructed. From what I read, this took centuries to build, involving first the Imperial army, then the peasants, and then the conquered enemies. The Great Wall was constructed as a deterrent to invaders from the North, more specifically the Mongolians.
I thought my ordeal was finished when I reached the fifth tower and decided to go back. If the climb is hard, the way back on the slopping down walks if definitely harder.
The Great Wall climb is fantastic and worthwhile. I am lost for words to describe my feelings and thoughts. For now, all I can say is “I climbed the Great Wall of China.” Maybe in my later musings, I can write more about this experience. – ?