went to the great wall today with my friend mora. I had no idea how touristy it was going to be. It was a bit like a theme park with crowds of people all up and down the wall. there were gwylos, (white ghosts), with rice hats and chinese with cowboy hats and these fancy hats with solar powered fans embedded in the rim. There was even a roller coaster/train you could take from the highest point that let you off in what I would describe as a "lunch trap" since it let you off in a square surrounded by food vendors who employ more people as "recuiters"/advertisers than people in the restaurant. And if the wall didnt do it for you there's some sort of game park/zoo thing you have to drive past on the way out . Cameron, Mora and I didn't take the train, we are however, planning on going to "California beef noodle house USA" very soon since we've now come across this place a few times.
Touristy stuff aside.you will be happy to know that Cam and I are now officially real men and potentially heros, (translation pending). we came across a sign that told us that you can only be "a true hero and a man" if you had your picture taken on top of a rocky outcropping. So naturally we waited in line 20mins and became real men.
on another note, pretty much every news establishment is blocked here so we're relying on "China Daily USA Version". Here are some articles I had the pleasure of reading today: "china plans escalator recall system", "wild boars invade farm, attack pets" and, my personal favourite, "profit incentive does not provide for beautiful architecture". I feel like we might be missing some stuff. On the other hand "odd style of ministry job ad raises doubts" is something you guys are missing out on.
All the best,
Andrew
hilarious!
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