I HIKED THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA!!! I cannot get over it! We drove for a coupleof hours from Beijing in a minibus (back in our old trek comfort zone) bumping and jolting over speed bumps （one time the driver flew over the speedbump, flinging us all a good foot into the air!) until we reached the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Puffing and panting all the way, we reached the wall and WOW! it was even cooler than I imagined! It was surprisingly tiring (I had thought it'd be like a pleasant stroll), steep steps and rolling walks, and the views were just stunning! i know it must seem like I gush over everything - for which I am sorry - but, truly, we are seeing the world's greatest sights, one after another. Far from numbing my mind, I just get super excited over each one - can never believe that I am actually there. The mountains that surrounded us seemed to go on and on, like a line of endless dominos fading away into the distance. While we rested before our tobaggon ride, a little chinese boy actually took a photo of JOhn and I. It is obvious from the contastant, blatant stares that we've attracted ever since arriving that, despite the Olympics, westerners are still quite an anomaly. I think especially blondes, because I have caught so many eyes - we even see little children stop and point at us, their parents often doing the same. It's like being in Egypt, except instead of perving at my chest they just all stare at my white face and yellow hair - and instead of just men staring its women and children too!

At the bottom we tried some "local pancakes" which were basically huge crepes, except with a fried egg, some sweet inions, chilli sauce and crunchy batter all folded in. To hot to hold in ytour hand for more than a few seconds, I tossed it from side to side, but the taste was so good I kept stealing little nibblers whilst playing "hot potato" with myself. I had to laugh when the saleslady, who had just sold a bottle of water to Lisa for 5, tried to ask us for 25! It's crazy how high they start their prices, but you've got to give it to them for trying. I do hate bartering though, even though i know i am probably being ripped off, I can't help thinking that one pound means a lot more to these people than it does to me!!! I just feel so uncomfortable - everything is so cheap I feel like I am stealing anyway, so it feels crazy to try and ask for less!