Today we had to be up and packed and checked out early. We were able to leave our suitcases with the concierge, then we had our own guide to take us to the Great Wall north of Beijing. Most of the other families arrived a day or two early and already toured the Wall and the Summer Palace (which we won't get to see.) We came in so late on Friday that we're doing an abbreviated tour. The wall is magnificent, incredibly steep (pictures don't do it justice.) Our guide said as she went past me with both hands and feet clambering up the steps: "They mean "climbing" the great wall literally!!" It is amazing to me that places such as this and the Great Pyramids were done using brute manual labor. Brick by brick, stone by stone. The steps are very uneven and for anyone with depth perception difficulties it can be a little unnerving. But the view even from the lower towers is simply beautiful.
It was still quite chilly in the morning and there were areas of frost and ice in the shady spots. Doesn't take long to get warmed up though!!!! LOL
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