After lunch, we started our ascent on the Great Wall. After 10minutes of walking, Mum stopped suddenly and asked me to continue the climb while she waits in a shady area. I wondered why (afterall we flew so far just for this!). Perhaps she couldn't take the fatigue. Ok, I told myself I would do the climb for her.

When I first chanced upon the Great Wall, it looks nothing more than a series of structures built with large stones around silly hills. It sure looks easy to climb (especially when you are sipping coffee in a hotel lobby looking at a coffee table book on the Great Wall) but when one does the actual climbing, it is a different story entirely.

I started enthusiastically and jumped (2 steps at a time) along the uneven steps. Ego had the steering wheels when I remember the phrase "If you have never climbed the Great Wall, you cannot be considered as a hero!” It was a big silly mistake and I was panting in the mid-day sun from all that fatigue. Feeling shameful and damn fucking tired. As sweat beads began to form on my body, I began to realise it was more than that. Every step I took reminds me of the toil and sweat (and I don't mean sweat from the fat farangs) that was put into the construction of this mega structure. I am not saying that its construction was justified with so many lives. But since it is already here, we may as well immerse ourselves in it. It was a wonderful experience.

Just before I moved on. Just a tip on looking for toilets in the Great Wall. You don't usually use your eyes: Use your nose and smell the shady areas instead. You will find it. :(