Phew. I am tempted to leave this entry at that, because here is NO possible way I can describe our experience on there. It was absolutely insane.
Disclaimer: This adventure was probably the most outdoors-y thing I ever have done and ever will do in my entire life. I in no way claim to be as epic as this post makes me out to be.
We split up into two taxis and rode on wiiiindy roads through villages until we finally got to the little village that we started our hike from. There was a huge sign (see above) warning us, but we still had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
We hiked up to where we made camp on the Wall for the night. And after some adventuring, settled in and set up hammocks and our former boyscout got our fire going in no time.
our campsite
the view :)
Long story short - what we thought would be a 4 hour hike, turned into a 7 & 1/2 hour hike with no water. The Wall is not what the pictures on the intenrnet would led you to believe. The majority of it is crumbling and in need of some extensive repair. Mongols, you're some tough dudes... But the Chinese knew what's up in terms of protection. This is one serious Wall.
Throughout the whole hike, I was so impressed with the group of people I was with. I do not remember a single person complaining, not even once. One thing that I did heare a lot of, was encouragement. Literally we did not go more than 10 minutes without me hearing someone encourage someone else. Whether it was assuring them they were not going to die, or telling them that this was something they could do - that we'd do it together... These are the most encouraging group of people I have ever been around. Really. I saw and heard Jesus through them so many times while in China, especially on the Wall.
I am SO thankful that the Lord allowed us to have this (what we thought to be a) planning error. Had it not been hard, had we not been thirsty and forced to rely on eachother and Him to get us through this - we would have never learned the things He was trying to teach.
I'm thinking there's a bit of a life lesson in here..
Giving thanks that God is so much better than I can imagine
-Lora
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