Dearest Diary,
Lauryn Hill defines Everything as… Everything (source), and, in fact, I did everything today.
I awoke early, around 4AM, and I was sitting there feeling kinda crazy (Source). So I decided to take a walk. And rather than sticking to the rivers and lakes that I am used to, I chased some waterfalls (Source), and walked around a block a little distance from our hotel, and got to see some normal people going about their normal day.
Next up was breakfast, during which a storm suddenly began, as storms do on summer days (Source). This was concerning, because we were to go to the Great Wall of China, and we knew that our dreams of riding the slide we had heard about down the wall had been shot down (Source). But excitement was still in the air, and after a delicious Hotpot lunch, we soon were on a fast car (Source) to the Wall. On this bus I had a wonderful conversation, and I realized that this group had become quite close, and this trip felt like a family affair, and we had left our situations at the door (Source).
We arrived at the wall cracking jokes and ready to receive the wall with open arms (Source). While we thought we were prepared, the actual sight of the wall shattered expectations (Source).
Then we got on another short bus ride, still cracking jokes telling the wall to give us all (Source). But then the climb (Source) really began. Although I was feeling energetic today, I stayed near the back of the group, asking “Can I walk with you?” (Source) to those at the end, because their slow but steady pace really felt like the best way to take in the scenery. After only a short while, we met a lady from New York, who told us we were halfway there, but it turns out that the wall was much higher than this (Source). We found a little gazebo to rest along our way.
But eventually we did make it up to the top, and wow. The wall went on & on (Source)… & on (Source). We were so high, it felt like we were walking on the sky (Source). Pictures cannot even demonstrated how the wall made me feel (Source), so words definitely will not.
Then I let a cable car carry me home (Source). It did shake back and forth (Source), and we were worried that we we would have issues and couldn’t hold on (Source 1, Source 2). But soon we were back on the bottom, and it began to rain once again. So we stopped in a shop real quick, to buy some souvenirs. Buying little handdrawn picture for my parents turned out to be a struggle. First the exchange (Source) required me to barter… with someone who speaks a different language from me. Luckily, I received a lot of support, and all I had to do was smile (Source) and not look dumb (Source). After a lot of stressful talking, I gave the salesperson a 20 dollar bill (which clearly did not satisfy her) and just walked out. Is it a crime? (Source) Hopefully not.
I again had a pleasant conversation on the bus ride back. Then an excellent dinner, where Curtis ate more than lions, tigers, and bears combined (Source). Anyone who has a picture of this is free to add one here. Then we ended the night with games, snacks, and much needed rest.
Sincerely,
Ben Wendt