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Now All of China Knows We're Here

Smiling person with long hair and glasses in gray top. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.
Claire Vodicka
 April 23, 2015
Selfie Stick

Who’s up for a 4:30 am mountain climb? Here at IES Beijing, we’re always ready to climb mountains (refer back to my post about Yunnan and Tiger Leaping Gorge).  I could write a book on how to climb mountains… well… how to be at peace at climbing mountains incredibly slowly after your group goes ahead of you #teamzuihou

We slept on traditional “kang” style beds, which was basically just a wooden bed half the side of the room that everyone slept on.  A few hours of restless sleep later, we were awoken by a knock on our door at 4am, and half an hour later, we were off to the woods and up the mountain...

 

The afternoon before the climb we went to a different part of the wall:

1. Person facing mountain view and ancient wall. 2. Stone structure on mountainside, Great Wall extends. 3. Two people embrace, mountains and wall in background. 4. Three people hike through dry, mountainous area. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

So many stairs.

Woman in black suit, reflected in glass, looking at art display. Courtyard with ivy-covered columns, fountain, and tall trees. Shelf with ceramic pots and artifacts, softly lit room. Person sitting on stone wall with backpack and apple nearby. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Immediately after reaching the Great Wall, Paul moved in.  Taking off his shoes and setting out his apple, he claimed the wall as his own.

A group of people on a stone wall with mountains in the background. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Here we are, China!

Two people smiling on the Great Wall of China, misty background. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Izzy and Trevor representing Redlands Univerisity

Two people smiling on the Great Wall of China, overcast sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

And as per usual, Danny wearing his Penn State Shirt

People smiling on the Great Wall with misty mountains in the background. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

And Caroline wearing her Rochester T-shirt... I think I missed a memo

1. Two people smiling on the Great Wall of China in a misty setting. 2. Person posing by a brick wall on the Great Wall of China. 3. Smiling person standing on the Great Wall of China. 4. Group of people sitting around tables at an outdoor restaurant. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

A wonderful homemade Chinese dinner in the shadow of The Wall itself at our homestay

1. Two people smiling on the Great Wall of China. 2. Person posing on the Great Wall, distant view behind. 3. Person standing on the Great Wall with mountains in the background. 4. Group seated at a round table outside, eating and talking. 5. Distant tower view on a misty mountain over the Great Wall. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

The fruits of our labor: The Great Wall at 5:45am

Person in red jacket overlooking mountainous landscape with ancient stone wall. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

A few hours of restless sleep later, the view was worth memorializing

Man in red sweater with mountains and Great Wall in the distance. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

If you look carefully, not only can you see Izzy checking out the view, Trevor taking a selfie on his selfie stick, and Danny mastering his pano skills, but all the way up to the right is José, sitting on a DIFFERENT mountain!  The Wall is just incredible.  All three times I climbed it, I saw a different view and had a different experience.

1. Person in sweater overlooking mountainous landscape with haze. 2. Great Wall of China extending over hills with dense greenery. 3. Two people embracing near Great Wall, misty mountains in background. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Gao Laoshi made it up the mountain!  We love our Laoshis here at IES Beijing.  They make this program worthwhile.

 

 

 

If nothing else in China, we sure have seen some incredible sights and had some unimaginable experiences... Was it worth it to wake up at 4am and hike up a mountain in the dark? Absolutely.

(Will I do it again?  I dont think my legs can handle another mountain.  But if you ever get this offer, take it without hesitation.) 

We've had hundreds of once in a life time experiences, and made hundreds of incredible memories with incredible people from all around the world.   Having to say that in a few weeks, I'm coming home is bitter sweet.  I totally miss my friends and family and my dogs (hey everyone!!) but even thinking about it makes me miss China already... Let's not talk about it just yet, okay? 

Until next time, internet!

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Smiling person with long hair and glasses in gray top. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Claire Vodicka

<p>My name is Claire Vodicka and I travel to learn language and culture and grow as a person. &nbsp;I currently speak English, Spanish and Chinese, with a little bit of Italian on the side. &nbsp;I love to take pictures, especially of people; capturing their true emotions in the moment. &nbsp;I&#39;m just enjoying my time in college and documenting every opportunity I have been blessed with.</p>

Destination:
Home University:
Seton Hall University
Major:
Spanish
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