11.09.2011

the great wall...

It is 2,000 years old and 4,000 miles long.  It is quite a thing, quite a thing indeed.  I know what it looks like but not what it feels like to walk on it.  If someone would have told me that I would travel all the way across the world, from Phoenix to Los Angeles, then Los Angeles to Shanghai, then Shanghai to Beijing, then a bus for a few hours to the wall and not walk up these steps, I would never have believed them.


but I didn't.  I was sick and I could not, for the life of me, muster it up to even get off the bus.  I lifted my head and took in the view for about 2 minutes.  I know, I know but trust me, I could barely lift my head.  SO, all these photos were taken by Andrew Henry while I lay slumped over on a bus seat and I'm just so gosh darn proud of him.  He did an amazing job.  He and my mother ascended the stairs that take you up to the Great Wall.  I never thought about how one gets to the top of the wall - here you can see the steps that take you up - serious business folks - read the sign, not for the faint of heart (did I mentioned it was freezing?)...


and here is the view from the top...







we didn't understand this but I've since looked it up (read about here) and discovered it is a tradition for lovers to bring these padlocks to the wall - very sweet...


and that is the Great Wall of China brought to you by my sweet husband Andrew Henry and my almost 65 year old mother (way to go Mom) - thanks guys!

17 comments:

Felicity said...

What a shame J - to have gone so far and to been struck down at the end.

You're right A-H has captured this amazing wonder fabulously and I'm particularly taken with the image of the steps crumbling on the side where millions of feet over thousands of years have worn away the stone.

Thank you both for this great share.

Anna@Directions Not Included said...

Amazing. I'm so sorry to hear you were sick while you were there.

quintessence said...

Oh I'm so sorry - but at least you saw it - closer than most of us will ever get!! I'm sure it was an incredible sight!!

MJM said...

So cool! Way to go AH! And I know it must have been awful to be so sick... Next vacation, NO SICKNESS!

Decor To Adore said...

They have the same tradition in Paris with lovers leaving padlocks.

Beautiful images. I'm green with envy.

KR said...

Great shots A.H.! When I look at these pics I can't believe I walked (with many stops) those steps! Some were like the stepmaster at the gym, not all were 4-5 ins. some were a foot or more high.

Andrew H. said...

I guess we get to take solice in the fact that you did see the wall. I know, that is stretching for sure. It wasn't the same without you up there.

Stitchfork said...

Aw Jeannette so sorry you missed the climb - but you did get there. This is one of the most memorable stops we have ever visited. What struck me most was our guide explaining that it is probably one of the largest graveyards in the world from all the workers who died during its construction. Great photos AH!
xo Cathy

Diana Mieczan said...

So sorry to hear that you didnt feel well. Those photos are truly amazing:) WOW...Have a lovely day, my dear. xo

Nicole said...

Oh wow, how cool is that!!!

Eva said...

Oh gosh, sorry you didn't feel well. That looks like a serious climb though. The pictures are great and I had no idea about the padlocks. How cool!

Maria said...

Auntie J - this viewing was full of Ooooh!s and OH! LOOK at THAT! And - That is AMAZING! and - "Do you think those holes are for cannons???"
He talked about the curve in the steps and how many people must have walked on them to do that, and how it isn't all flat and how you must get tired walking up and down whole mountains!

Bray says thank you SOOOOOO much for posting these - he REALLY enjoyed them and can't believe you got to actually GO there! Oh - and he says he is sorry you were too sick to walk on it yourself (and so am I).

angryparsnip said...

The photos are beautiful.
The fifth photo would make a fabulous Christmas card. The photo of the worn steps was beyond fabulous.
Great photos Andrew Henry.

The history of this wall and the era it was built in was amazing and very bloody.

Sorry You got all the way there and then got sick. I hope you felt better and was able to enjoy some of the trip.

cheers, parsnip

French Basketeer.com said...

Wow, love all the images and sorry you didn't walk the wall, but you did see it with your own eyes, which is surely incredible. The padlock thing seems to have gone global; China, Italy & France at least!

lisaroy said...

oh no! Nothing like reaching an amazing destination only to be hit by a bug! Well at least AH captured it so well. Your pics have all been so stunning and I love how you've shared all the intricate details in what was around you xo

bronwyn said...

Oh Jeanette! I'm so sorry you didn't get to walk on it! But it is still a magnificent sight and you got to see it in person.

bronwyn said...

Oh, and they do the lock thing at Huan Shan (Yellow mountain). Markus and I have locks up there. We hope to take Abby someday and see if we can find ours. :)