Awareness allows us to get outside of our mind and observe it in action
Dan Brule
Day 2 started again with the most random of breakfasts I really couldn’t be doing with the slurping and sipping of the soups and noddles, the bowls of rice and vegetables it was 7.30am!
Sleep was basic I tend to be able to go on little although I was dreaming of my own bed and pillows. We set off on an hour bus journey to a little village proper rural China a stop for a toilet break and again the hygiene is difficult pure stinking I call it hand sanitizer is a godsend. I was again loaded with 2 litres of water, nuts, seeds and dates Id took some hydration tablets and had taken them after a small snack I didn’t want to compromise the stomach. We’d be told by our guide Hastings of what was to come we would trek through a jungle type forest to the highest point zig-zagging up through it,
being careful for spiders and brown snakes we seen loads of spiders and even a squirrel the thing was the lack of real wildlife not many birds for so many trees it was weird not hearing birds sing so early in the morning. A lot found the first part of the trek really difficult it was undulating and underfoot was less than ideal but nothing I hadn’t encountered before, myself and young Charlie (16) led it onwards to forage toward the top where we would get up onto the wall the sweat was lashing of me.
The views were hard to comprehend it was the first time we’d seen the vastness of it, it is hard to document no visual camera could do it, so it was banked in the sub-conscious, a sight I wouldn’t forget a few snaps and a break so everyone could regroup, everyone was in agreement the sights were amazing and well worth the hour half start.
We were finally getting a real feel for the Great Wall this was totally different from yesterday where it was quite bleak it was around 20 degrees not a cloud in the sky and views forever I could understand why sections of the Wall were called ‘heavenly’. Setting off from this part on the Wall I dropped back to chat with someone new and take a bit more in at a slower pace I was aware that the constant push and excitement to get up front was affecting how I interacted with the group it was difficult to control my competitive fitness race nature.
The stories of why the group of people were doing the Great Wall are intense, emotional, worthy and thoroughly inspirational I do hope the charities recognise the very special people who were raising money. Of course even my own cause and the generosity of the friends and family who’ve donated to my cause Diabetes UK.
The Wall has a special energy and if I repeat this on more that one occasion you’ll realise how it made me feel, it makes you think, process, wonder and generally feel at peace I was so relaxed. We were on the wall for the rest of the day with a lunch stop to regroup and contend with hornets, mosquitos and many, many ladybirds who just loved us so much. A decision for the group of whether to cut short or head on for a further bit, I’d been feeling really good so pushed on with 5 others underfoot conditions were steep incredibly so with some near 60/70 degree slopes and not all steps but jus slopes 10 foot wide in places it’s not for faint-hearted or anyone with a spook for heights! The downhill sections to come off the wall are frightening but at the bottom, the sense of achievement and of being chilled out relaxed is very cool, with a stop at a little roadside stall, a couple of beers and a welcome from local angry folk lol,
it had become a breathtaking day sun, trek, achievement, relaxed, emotional I could go on, looking at my now mates there was a sense of calm and a quiet atmosphere like in the film “Stand By Me” when they go trekking and camp out below the stars no egos no pretention just human connection not quite like the eye gazing at Dublin a few weeks back lol.
Dinner that night again weird after a quick wash we’d be getting dinner at a Jade factory. Jade is similar to Irish crystal and if you like that sort of thing then this would be a great place for you. The meals were no different just heavily flavoured with god knows what, plates of veg, rice, soups and weird meats it was similar to breakfast I was ok with it just ate what I needed, I know I’ve said the food isn’t good it just isn’t to my liking so had accepted it and wasn’t gonna grumble have to say though the tipple after dinner of the ‘Chinese Firewater’ was pretty different our guide explaining that it was used to kill bugs in your stomach after a meal, it probably can give you idea of how potent it was! I was passed everyone’s at our table I kinda liked it…
The tour of the Jade factory was grand it did feel like we were being pressured to buy something and having a look around at the many ornaments, necklaces, bracelets and bangles I was met with many of the factories assistants like a wee shadow. It was cool to see the many designs and colours but nothing grabbed me learned plenty about the superstitious Chinese culture and how Jade was a symbol of it so left happy enough.
The room that night was decent no bugs, however, no hot water meant a cold shower but again just went with it we were briefed on the next day over dinner it’s was to be our longest day 7-9hrs few gasps but secretly I was smiling with sun shining the next day temperatures reaching 25/26 degrees we’re better to be than outside, no travel to our next lodge/hostel and the promise of a bonfire and a few beers under the stars tomorrow night!
Catch you soon. G