5.04.08

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hardwork, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those that believe." - Gail Devers

China in itself was life changing. A growing experience.

HOWEVER...

There was one day.

One day that stood out more then the rest.

May 4, 2008

It was the day I climbed The Great Wall of China.

" ...When I found out I was going to China I would have dreams about being on the great wall. When I was actually there it felt as if I was standing on my dream. I had worked so hard to get there and I finally was. It was such an amazing feeling..one that brought tears to my eyes. I felt as if I could conquer the world. I could have stayed up on that wall forever. It really was the best day of my life. I will never forget my experience there..."

{part of an email I sent home}

There are several sections of The Great Wall. We decided on going to the Simatai portion. Before going I remember researching online about the Simatai section and a certain website said "Simatai is celebrated for its steepness, queerness and intactness..." (They weren't joking) My first thought after reading that was "celebrated? I don't know how much I am going to want to "celebrate" when my calves are on fire and I'm throwing up over the side of the wall." I don't know if ANY pictures can really portray how steep/scary some parts of this wall are, but it was ridiculous. I remember at one point being on all 4's climbing.

There are lots of websites that say different things, but The Great Wall is approximately 4,000 miles long. INSANE. They must have been REALLY scared. I am not a historian. To be honest, I hated history when I was in school, but In my head this is how the conversation went..

chinese leader: "think..what can we do to protect ourselves..?"

over-zealous man: "we could fight!!"

chinese leader: " don't be ridiculous. have you seen us? we are tiny."

*silence...thinking...silence*

same man--not so zealous: " a great big wall?"

chinese leader: "brilliant. go. "

(1400 years later)

enemies: "what the....a WALL?! No one said anything about climbing a wall. Im outtie"

Sorry, China. I don't mean to make light of something so sacred. I love you and your wall.It's nearly 2 years later and my memory of that day is still so vivid.

Even now I CANNOT believe that I was there.

surreal

I am one of the few that can say.." The Great Wall? been there. done that."

If I didn't have the pictures to prove it I don't even know if I would believe it myself.

This picture was taken from the top of the wall, where you zip line. :)

yes. I zip lined off The Great Wall of China.

Ok..so things you should know before watching my video:

1. I look beat. Don't judge me. I had just finished spending hours climbing the steepest wall EVER.
2. I am holding my camera myself (I was scared I was going to drop it, you will hear me say that in the video)
   So its all over the place. It gets noisier when I turn the camera toward the direction I am going in because of the wind.
3. I'm a girl and I scream like one in the video. Sorry.
4. ** Pay special attention to the end** As I am getting closer to the bottom I start talking to the person down below about how excited I am to be alive. They are yelling at me to stand up as I am insulting her by thinking she is a man.
5. enjoy :)
   
   

Best.Day.Ever.