I feel like there isn't much to explain other than it's always been a dream of mine to stand on the great wall of China. We only had a day's layover in Beijing, but I was thrilled at the chance to accomplish this item on my bucket list. How lucky for me that I married into a travel-obsessed family. Traveling is a passion both Varian and I share and already we've had a lot of dream-traveling opportunities that I wouldn't have expected to come true. This was definitely one of them.
We arrived at Mutianyu (where as you can see there is civilized sightseeing). We rode ski lifts up the mountain to the top of the wall.
*
* 
*
I didn't realize there would be forts and stairs and look-out windows, which makes sense if the intention was for military protection. It was beautiful.
*
I can't remember why Reid was ornery, other than he probably was tired as it seems like most of the other photos he's strapped to me and sleeping. I had this image of what a great shot it would be with me and my two sons on the great wall of China, but Jaren wouldn't cooperate and then this Chinese lady just came and held his hand and started walking away with him. The Chinese people LOVED our babies, and I mean LOVED. We were constantly stopped by people who just wanted to touch them or take their photos. It was sweet, a bit odd at times, but sweet! And actually it wasn't just China, it seemed like the whole trip people would get so mushy and happy around them, and total strangers would come up and just kiss them on their faces, Reid especially because he was so little (5 months).
*
*
*
*I thought our boys would love to see these photos of themselves walking the great wall. So here's a procession of shots of Jaren walking away on the slanted and uneven bricks- not as easy as it looked.
*
*
*
*At the end we met some nice warrior dressed men and a small market for souvenier shopping. We ended up buying little Chinese outfits for the boys which have turned out so cute. We bought a white one for Reid and used it for his blessing outfit, and a blue dragon one for Jaren that also came in handy for his Chinese-themed birthday party. (Photos to come)
*
*
*
*In case you can't tell I'm doing an angry-Chinese-Warrior-face, which apparently not everyone joined in on. :)
*Goodbye Great Wall of China. You have lived up to your reputation- you truly are Great!
* A special thanks again to Felicity for her photos of that day. I loaded these onto a draft ages ago, and was trying to remember all the ones that were hers. Hopefully I labeled them all right, or didn't forget any.
