Yes....today I went to the Great Wall of China. Much to my surprise, it was made of stone!!! Can you believe it? I thought I was going to have to worry about slipping and breaking something and then having to pay for it. Of course I still had to worry about that. The climb is so steep, and some of the stairs are so narrow, that if you aren't careful, you could fall quite easily and break a leg or something. Then you would have to pay for hospital bills. Not a lot of fun if you ask me.
I am not sure how worth it it was coming to the Great Wall. Everywhere you turn there is someone trying to sell you something you not only don't need, but you don't want. It was quite sad. Still there is something to be said for the history behind it (and the exercise you get walking up it).
Other than the wall, I have been the the Summer Palace, some famous jade place, a place that makes the best vases (and other enameled items) in China, and I have tasted Beijing duck from a bag. All you have to do is put it in a microwave, and it taste fresh, hot, juicy, and ohhhh so good.
When I first arrived in Beijing, it was not a happy time. First, I couldn't find the shuttle bus to the hotel, and everyone kept pointing me to the Airport Buses (which cost 16RMB). Since I could see no other buses anywhere, I took their advice and ended up somewhere a long way from where I was supposed to be. I called the person I was supposed to meet, and then tried to get a cab to where he was.
Either the cabs wouldn't stop or they didn't know where I was talking about, even when I showed the note I had to them. I was so frustrated that when a guy driving a pedicab (bicycle with a seat in back for passangers) stopped me and told me he could take me where I needed to go, I accepted without first agreeing on a price.
This was a big mistake! While the ride was fun, it took around 3 hours to get to where I needed to go. Of course I got to see a lot of Beijing in the dark and try to hold a conversation with someone who knew minimal English, but at least I only saw my life flash before my eyes 3 or 4 times. At the end of the line, I had to pay the fare.
So what would it be? He wanted 450RMB. I knew he had worked hard, but I wasn't going to pay that. He made a huge deal over it and wasn't going to let me leave. I finally paid 350RMB just to get him to leave me alone and allow me to leave. I wasn't sure how to handle the situation, so it cost me much more than it probably had to...and this after I taught him the words museum and church!
So my lesson here is always agree on a price beforehand, and get it written down if possible!!
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