My Everest - I can see Seattle from Here

We woke this morning prepared to climb "the wall." Unfortunately it is cold here in Beijing and we Americans were ill prepared to climb in the poor conditions. (52 degrees, overcast and a light breeze) For that reason we opted to go to the Silk Factory first. Here we purchased yet more headphones a nice backpack and North Face and Columbia jackets. We had to pay more than last time. We shelled out $130 MRB per jacket. This equates to $21 American.

From there we went to the Cloisonné Factory. It was fascinating to watch the product being built and painted. The finished product was stunning and it was not uncommon for a 12 inch high vase to cost $1,000 USD. It truly is beautiful. The work was lost on the kids but I assured them as time passed they would grow to appreciate it more. We then went upstairs to have another fabulous meal. Now out of excuses we set out to do what we intended to do. Point me to my Everest.

Now properly equipped we headed for our Mt Everest. Ron and Mady walked to the first area below the first guard tower and called it quits. Michael was the next to drop after his knee said he was done. His quest for the summit ended shortly after the first guard tower. Soon Chase met Michael at the first guard tower headed down. Chase decided the wind had kick up to much to press forward and was headed down to base camp. That left only 4. Myriam, Nolan, Sophie and Chelsea pressed forward braving the high winds and uneven steps. Some steps are 3 inches high then the next step is two feet high followed by another 8 inches high which makes it very hard to get a rhythm. Onward and upward they marched toward their goal. The secret of the Great Wall is as tough as it can be going up coming down is much harder; a fact that Michael passed onto Nolan as they started up. Ultimately the four reached their goal summiting the fourth guard tower. They were all alone at the top. A few photos and a couple of high fives and down they came. Nolan arrived first followed by Sophie a few minutes later and finally Chelsea and Myriam. All were exhausted and everyone was suffering from jelly legs. But we did it. Michael has now climbed the wall twice. No match for Myriam's fourth or fifth trip but for the rest it was a new experience and one to mark off the bucket list. Most Americans will never claim the wall and as the famous quote from Mao says "You are not truly a man until you have come to the wall." Far be it for us to agree with the father of Chinese communism but it is an experience that if presented to you should be taken with a great leap of faith. Health and faith is what you will need to summit.

Now that half the party made the summit and all made it back home to the condo we are ready to make the final trip home. All four legs are now complete. The only thing left is to head home on the tail wind.

We leave tomorrow evening, Thursday for you Friday for us Our plane leaved Beijing and China behind at 4:50 PM on Friday and we arrive at 1:00 Friday. Almost 4 hours before we leave ;)

Things we miss
Family and Friends
Our dogs
The English language
and American food.

Things we are grateful for
Friends and family
Chelsea Chun Tai Avery (She is a hoot you are all going to love her; lack of filters an all)
Our dogs
The English language
And American food.

It has been a wonderful adventure, one our children will never forget. We are glad Mady and Ron (now forever known as "Uncle Panda.") were able to come along but it is time to come home.  We were sure we could see Seattle from that last guard tower...

See you all very soon.