Day 5
Sorry to keep repeating but breakfast was horrendous I had eggs yeah super you’d say but they were brutal, I was down to my last 2 bags of rations so I ate the protein bar with a few nuts I took a caffeine tablet as I had done on each morning along with a sachet of dioralyte I knew I hadn’t been getting enough nutrients.
We were briefed as to what today’s trek would be from Hastings who was on his best behaviour, with radio contact with our English guide highly obvious and noticeable today after yesterdays debacle.
It was 2 hours in the forest zigzagging toward the wall very steep in sections but pure fell running paradise the aim was to make great time today as we were down to 13. The slowest member had left the day previous and we were aware of the time due to the traffic in Beijing later that evening (Friday Rush Hour) and the schedule we had, I wasn’t wanting to sit in traffic, it was a tuff climb to the wall in very cold conditions I was fairly wrapped up but thoroughly enjoyable with some of the views mesmerising.
We didn’t regroup at the wall 3 of us were pointed in the direction of some climbing, it was a 12ft wall to one of the toors or towers it a great challenge if not incredibly dangerous but it did give us an amazing view which we took full advantage of, throughout the time on the wall your so aware of what’s around and you just wanna capture everything however that heightened state of what’s around you can’t stop you from being totally clued in and sure-footed at all times the steep vertical drops and underfoot conditions are not what I expected, but wasn’t one time I didn’t think I couldn’t complete the challenge.
This was practically me for the intensive physicality of this challenge, Id promised myself once on the wall to take it easy and enjoy my last hours, savouring everything that the Great Wall had. We met up with everyone else who had taken a shortstop to lose some layers, the temperature was rising and sun splitting approx 25degrees a group photo and onwards we trekked.
Onto the next section and we were warned it was crumbling and very difficult for people to get a foot in, it led us to possibly the steepest section we’d seen all week it was 60/70 degree angle with no steps we had been told it wouldn’t have been wise to go that way so we cut off through forest trails to another part which was more secure. (I was secretly wanting to have a go)
I had spent the last few hours in a bit of a daze absorbed by everything around me with my closet ally’s Sunni and Darryl we’d talked a lot over the last 5 days on the Wall both kind, aware, fascinating worldly characters with a hearts to match…thank you!
The tourists were flooded onto this section it was immaculate, clean and looked like it had been prepped for all those special shots/selfies. The weather was truly fantastic I could have sat and people watched all day like Times Square totally fascinating, however, the awareness of other tourists I found shocking no need for the pushing and shoving.
The steepness coming down was hindering a few who’d picked up injuries or aggravated older ones, it wasn’t easy, some of the steps on this section were massive drops Id found my hips jarring from it, the next section we came onto was another tourist area it’s the one where if a visiting celeb or diplomat came they would be put on a cable car and lifted up instead of walking the many steps it was a great area, fantastic vibe, thousands of people and the usual stalls selling gifts and drinks.
I was aware my time was coming to the end on the wall and everyone in the group had quieter moments a last selfie and pics of this holistic, energy filled complete wonder of the world.
We’d trekked 6hrs. I’d loved to have done a few more hours.
There was a lull before being quick marched to the nearest bar/cafe were coffee, ice cream and odd beer was had it was crazy busy with tourists taking the easy pass route to what you would see on tv or YouTube if you typed in Great Wall of China!
Just like that, it was over….It was back to Beijing on the bus that night to enjoy the next part of my journey.
Beijing is busy, blasts of horns, motorcycles, bicycles, unlike anything I’ve witnessed we got to a western world hotel that night it was clean with hot water and no sign of any insects and a McDonald’s less than 5mins away of course I frequented it but it wasn’t anything like I expected yeah it was McDonald’s but my taste buds had sadly left me and I couldn’t stomach it, the experience of ordering at the counter was actually more fulfilling, it was fun watching everyone order!
That night we were booked to get a massage. I won’t go into details but it was a bit seedy not what I expected and not sure why it was offered if you were sore and bit broken from all the trekking, yeah it would’ve been ok but I could think of other things to do in Beijing and found it to be a waste of time, a few others decided on the bar at the hotel and possibly was the better option however maybe not the next day when all were a bit worse for wear.
To this point, this is all I wrote via my note pad on my phone which was handy to pass time on the bus and in the room at night when sleep was sparse with no one in your space and you were thinking all sorts, the solitude was very addictive, calm and peaceful.
After the trekking, I spent some great times with astounding mindful, aware, kind, ambitious and truly dedicated friends. They’ve added so much to my life experience. Thank You
The Llamas
Sunni, Darryl, Cadi, Will, Jodie, Callum, Linz, Cheryl, Debs, Sarah, Natalie, Charlie, Donna
My China in all its glory is a wonder, even the heavily populated areas of tourist chaos, the many little towns, province’s and remote areas were it isn’t pretty are totally serene, the food, the hygiene, the noise, Tiananmen Square in its vastness, the fake market, the haggling, the 12 hour train journey through the night to the menace and wonder of the Terracotta Warriors in the Ancient City of Xian, the internal flight of death back to Beijing, the many temples, mosques, heavenly steps and spiritual area’s make it hard to put into words I stepped out into the matrix of life and thoroughly enjoyed it…..Mount Fuji anyone….
After all the travelling and exploring I had one day’s grace before heading to Dublin for the marathon. Body clock a bit messed but no excuses, mentally I was very good, stomach was fantastic but mile 17 the legs had enough although Id prepared physically the main factor of the last long 9.2mile was the tiring travelling, with adjustment to our time a major factor I wouldn’t be doing that again another thing learnt, I crossed the line in 3hrs 51mins and enjoyed seeing my mate Terry complete his first marathon which was very special he showed amazing spirit and has come along way from my first blog posting about Liverpool in May.
The come down from the trip has been a mentally difficult thing to come to terms with for anyone that knows me, excuse the oddness, bluntness, laziness or lack of patience its been hard to come back to daily life and the mundane. I’m by no means ungrateful for what I have….more to do with what I now know what’s out there! The fight continues….
Thanks go to these folk for their support; Andrew, Mick, David, Terry, Susan, Gill, Alan, Fee, Paula, John, Stephen, Mum, Karen, Finn, Lisa who’ve made all this possible a circle of special people.
You can donate to my Just Giving Page Here!
Catch you soon. G