Great Wall Escapades

I've wanted to climb the Great Wall of China since I was a child.

At a section called Mu Tian Yu, which is about 1 1/2 hrs outside of central Beijing, we fulfilled my long held wish.

In 40 degree heat we hiked both sections which are open to the public and caught a glimpse of the aerial shots for the Next Karate Kid remake (entitled the Kung Fu Kid) being filmed.

Xi'An: Night Train to Pittsburgh

If you have never taken a night train before, it may be best to ask yourself if that really matters to you.

Although Josh wanted to take said 12 hour ride (and still claims no recollection of this), I did so knowing the journey would be long and at times aimless.

Nonetheless, we arrived in one piece, braved the train station and immersed ourselves in the cultural history of Xi'An (as the rain immersed us in all its sooty glory).


Xi'An is known mainly for its Terracotta Army and to borrow from Wikipedia:


"The terracotta figures, dating from 210 BCE, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China near the Mausouleum of the First Qin Emperor.

The figures vary in height (183–195 cm - 6ft–6ft 5in), according to their role, the tallest being the generals. The figures include strong warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.

Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits"






























































































Other sites in Xi'An include: the 14km wall which rings the old quarter of the city, the Wild Goose Pagoda, a Budhist temple built in the year 652 and the Great Mosque of Xian dating back
1, 360 years.

Food and Drink

There are exotic delicacies that abound in Beijing. The offerings at the Wanfujing street market exhibit this phenomenon keenly with their scorpions on sticks, deep fried star fish and other critter kabobs.












One of our favourite places to eat (especially during the monsoon rains) was a Hakka restaurant overlooking the lake at Qian Hai.

































Throughout our trip, Josh chronicled the local beer situation with a methodical conviction only a von Wurden could muster. He could start his own blog about beers if he wanted to, maybe be will . . .



The Xia Bu Xia Bu chain of hotpot restaurants is apparently a Taiwanese import to China.

We enjoyed its commraderie and curious patrons who watched Josh's soup noodle vermicelli and chopstick debacle with interest and mirth.











At the Delicious Dumpling Restaurant, there are literally dozens or varieties to sample.

We had sixteen kinds.

My favourite were the pumpkin and chicken!

















On one of our last night's in Beijing, our guide took us out on the town with a group of her friends for Tibetan food. At the restaurant, I joined in the Tibetan circle dancing with all my gusto.












To conclude the night, we headed to a cavernous karaoke club, where an all you can eat dim sum buffet is served at midnight.


Josh and I regaled the rest of the group with our renditions of 'American Pie' and 'Country Roads'.































Lastly, I would be remiss to talk about food and drink and not mention TEA. My favourite was the blooming Jasmine variety (which apparently lasts for a week and can be used decoratively too).

Beijing Signs

Nothing tells you more about the essence of a place better than its signs.

Becoming Beijing Betty

Beijing is unlike any city I have ever visited. It is a juxtaposition of ancient relics and contemporary architectural wonders.











There is a surge of humanity at every turn, waves of people toting pastel sun parasols that double as umbrellas in the late afternoons when monsoon-like droplets pelt the city in unrelenting sheets of sideways rain.

Had Josh not been a full head and shoulders above the crowd I would have repeatedly lost him. Had no one else in Beijing (or any of our encounters in China for that matter) possessed my leopard print sun/rain parasol cum umbrella, he would have repeatedly lost me too.

Sight-seeing is not for the faint of heart in Beijing, especially during the school recess period, as tens of thousands of extra little bodies, accompanied by their parents and grandparents, descend on all the major historic sites.

Had I too taken a 68 hour train ride to Beijing from some remote Southern village, I may have become more adept at viciously elbowing and pushing my way to the front of every crowd to ensure my 6 second photo-op in front of all the guide book offerings was properly captured.

Indeed, not only is it de rigeur to have your photo taken at important monuments, but the value of your photos is increased if you can find a tall Westerner to pose with you.

Not only did Josh's height delight tourists and locals, but his feet were also much hyped at open-markets and department stores alike.









































Bartering at the Pearl Market.



































Olympic Watercube


















Olympic Bird's Nest Stadium

Paris: Tourist mecca

Tour de France frenzy was fully underway when we arrived in Paris. Yellow jersey imitations were being hawked in souvenir shops around the city. In the days leading up to the big race, bleachers were stacked along the Champs Elysee, barricades were constructed along the major routes and by race day, swathes of the city were out of bounds to pedestrians and massive detours, using various metro lines were necessary just to cross large boulevards.

As this was Josh's first time in Paris, we visited ALL the major attractions on foot.



















































My old friend Ben from my days in Toulouse came up from his current home in Lisbon to join us on a few adventures.

Adding to the fun, was an ice cream evening on a bridge over-looking Notre Dame with K, another friend from Toulouse, who is now a diplomat stationed in Paris.




































It was a toss-up: A pair of Christian Louboutin shoes or a trip to China. . .
Hands down I chose China!!



















A view of Notre Dame from our cafe over-looking La Seine.



The one and only time I have ever been lost in a cemetery was in the Pere Lachaise, looking for the tomb of Jim Morisson. In 1994, I did not know who Jim Morisson was or what he had actually contributed with his music to create such a mythology surrounding him. But the older siblings of a few kids on the exchange were convinced it was 'the cool thing' to do.

Josh and I headed back to Pere Lachaise on the same mission 15 years later. This time we used a map and did not get lost.

2009 - there is now a gate to protect the site, but the fans still come in throngs with flowers,candles and tears. This time around we also visited other notable names in the cemetery including Chopin and Oscar Wilde.













1994 - exhausted and perplexed