In going to bed before I traveled the Great Wall on Saturday, October 3, 2015, I declared, “Going to have a great time at the Great Wall tomorrow meeting incredible people and incredible connections.” Meeting incredible people and forging incredible connections occurred. Touring the Great Wall was historically monumental and a individually momentous occasion.
1. Transportation to Great Wall: Say what you want to do, be determined to do it, do it.
On the 2 1/2 hour commute from the city to the Great Wall Badaling, I journaled my realization that, “I’m really understanding the power of saying what you want to do, being determined to do it, and doing what you have to do, to do it. After my Great Wall plans fell through yesterday, I had no clue how I was going to get to the Great Wall. But I made up in my mind that I was going. Now I’m learning that the Great Wall was built through Blood, sweat, and tears on my way to climb this historical fixture.”
2. The Great Wall: Don’t Let Fear Disengage you from Interacting with Others.
An amazing work of perseverance to partake in and climb. Prior to coming to the Great Wall, I thought it was a hilly type of landscape. Ladies & Gentleman, you are literally climbing a wall with steps, steep paved steps to climb at certain parts. First, we were climbing towards the highest part of the climb; the crowd was at a standstill due to the number of Chinese who frequented the site because of their National Holiday. Luckily, another part of the Great Wall was open with less crowding, where my group and I decided to explore. I’m grateful for people who fail to let fear disengage them from interacting. Jane, Sheila, and Ivy, were great company to explore the Great Wall with. They’re kindness and enjoyment were a pleasure.
3. Dragon Land Jade Gallery & Ming Tombs: Don’t Let Fear of the Unknown prohibit you from getting to known some one or some place.
After the Great Wall I visited Beijing’s Dragon Land Superior Jade Gallery, where we explored the process of how Jade is crafted, designed, and methods to test the authenticity of Jade. Following the Jade exhibition, we had a delicious lunch, typical Chinese-round table style, where we all shared food. Interestingly, it was a group of 25-30 Black people, honestly the most random sighting while being in China.
Afterwards we drove about 2 hours in traffic to one of the Ming Tombs to explore the mausoleum that was built to honor and dignify the power of that emperor. The tomb was in honor of the emperor who built the Forbidden City, rendering the architecture of this tomb to resemble that of the Forbidden City.
I traveled silos, nevertheless, the amazing thing about being alone and not lonely, is the adventure in getting to know someone and HAVING to get to know someone because that’s the only way to have a great time.
4. San Lutin & CCTV Building: Wonder, you may find wonderful.
Prior to leaving, I was determined to see the CCTV building, it’s peculiar architecture intrigues me. The building attests to the Chinese principle of balance as a portion of the skyscraper does not have a foundation in the ground. En route to the CCTV building I stumbled upon Sanlitun Mall and Sanlitun Bar Street, Beijing’s famous bar street. No, I did not indulge, however, it’s amazing at the wonderful things you find when you simply wonder. Comical that my Beijing trip started at a mall and ended at a mall, I can’t escape the mother on me.
Beijing Turning Point: “Sometimes you have to let it go, when you can’t do anything. Pass the baton to God and let him sprint the situation to the finish line. Let him defeat those who betrayed you and wronged you. Don’t worry, God will always win the relay.”
