Everything we surround ourselves with and take in has energy. And all energies vibrate at different frequencies… different levels of consciousness.
Tesla
No real sleep was had a pattern…….thoughts of me dad and home crept in we were talking around the bonfire the night before about what would be the first meal we’d have once home, Chinese was defo of the list however once someone mentioned cottage pie or steak & chips, peppered sauce at the time we were salivating, this was always after again, a pretty basic meal and quite dodgy rooms with even a thought of what might be lurking within the bed sheets that were provided (mind out of the gutter), it give quite a few the shivers that night….even though I had brought it up, I’d been in my sleeping bag at nights so didn’t worry too much about critters in the night others did though….sorry Sarah I know this definitely affected you this night with zero sleep!
With quieter times came thoughts and chatter it wasn’t any crazy stuff just home comforts. The habitual stuff we do and sometimes take for granted even though it can be the same mundanity daily it felt a long time from when I had set off and further in the future the thoughts of having to do Dublin Marathon once home in over a weeks time.
Breakfast that morning was you guessed it rice & soup with noddles no sign of coffee or tea or orange juice I did try most of the random meats but there was no bacon or sausage bap with some HP sauce on it along with some freshly ground coffee, oh how I missed the smell of it instead of the surrounding sewers.
The trek that day would see us complete between 7,500-10,000 upward and downward steps 7-9hrs with massive drops, near vertical climbs and quite a bit of forest trekking along the wall, it was fab. I totally loved everything about it in the midday heat it’s so warming and tropical I was taking on about 2/3 litres of water and had my pre-packed nuts, seeds, dates & protein bar I didn’t bother with gels trusting the process and embracing the bush type walk that it was, long, arduous and beautiful.
The only blip on an otherwise calming day was our English guide (Tania) getting a few lost taking the wrong direction very early on the trek. This might have been a flavour of what was to come, I didn’t get chatting to her much but sensed she was having a difficult time on her trek not physically but providing motivation, her communication with Hasting our lead would prove the downfall the very next day more on that to come!
I was pretty calm, relaxed and very contemplative most of the day, again similar to other days I’m not sure how everyone felt I was. I suppose that’s what the Great Wall does to you, you go inner and generally are in wonder and awe not only at what’s around but what you’re doing, how far you’ve come, today and in life…the journey…..so clichéd, Id embraced the quiet things inside felt I was very present today…..it was possibly different for everyone.
I was totally in my element but knew that this was to be a long day starting early 8.30am-ish to around 5.00pm the drain of talking and waiting patiently certainly tested me the latter part of the day was totally beautiful but I was tired and hungry…..I know I do sound like such a sociable fella?!
Afterwards, we regrouped at a stunningly crafted temple for some stretches & breathing, some just had a moment it was a mental, emotional, physical and spiritually long day few had injuries and were very contemplative I could sense the tiring nature of everyone. It wasn’t in a bad way there was no grumpiness or sharpness from anyone.
Dinner was you guessed it rice with quite the platter of stuff, meats, vegetables, soups. I never really communicated during eating on any of the nights, I felt I’d been eating quite mindlessly all week, I did find it difficult. I had a little, the mood was quiet during.
We had the most lovely old Chinese lady looking after us that night, a proper mummy not a word of English was spoken I think she took a shine to me! I was shown where the fridge was to grab beers for during and after dinner. I’d make sure I’d get a pic of us before leaving.
That night our entertainment was Chinese calligraphy and a little bit about the history of how the Chinese alphabet came about from guide Hastings. We then were shown how to write our names with Indian style ink and learn control of the brush it was a lot of fun It reminded me of my art college days.
We bonded more that night talking injuries and generally finding out more about each others lives I found it fascinating, what an amazing bunch it wouldn’t have taken much to get tipsy, little food and Chinese beer after a long day wouldn’t be the greatest mix.
I had a few beers tonight in the hope for sleep but my room was em…organic to say the least cold, not bug free & so I zipped myself into my sleeping bag I was like a sausage roll and my thoughts turned to tels sausage rolls with red sauce a tipple Id be fond off back home….
No sleep was had that night!
Catch you soon. G