better than great.

Everything about the Great Wall completely exceeded my expectations. First of all, when they say "climb" the Great Wall... they're not kidding. At some points it is basically a ladder. The stairs are uneven and up to a foot and a half high and the parts without stairs are the steepest possible slopes a human could cling to. It was excellent. Additionally, it was maybe the most beautiful day I have ever seen. Bluest of blue skies, hot hot hot and breezy.


After the Wall, we went to the Ming Tombs, a huge underground city where 13 of China's former emperors are buried. The place was a bit tourist-ified... plexiglass protection in front of things... emergency lights everywhere... wire mesh holding up the ceilings. I would love to have seen in in its raw state.

Because it was at least 37 or 38 degrees outside, we were ready to get back to CUC and just cool off. And cooling off we did... that is, until we made a spontaneous decision to go out with the Australians to a club called Bananas. And let me just say, if you think the Beijing subway is crowded... try a Beijing dance floor. We had a really fun time, though we were a bit bewildered by some of the things going on. I guess if a club is called Bananas, you might expect a man to lower from the ceiling wearing a grass skirt and fake bananas to entertain the masses with his oily banana body... but it sure took us by surprise.