A great wall indeed

Leon and I set off very early for our ride to the Great Wall. Feeling like death, I slept the entire way there. As fun as it was, it was a big mistake going out the night before. We stopped to eat before climbing and got ripped off beyond belief. NEVER EVER eat at the Great Wall.

The Great Wall is one of my favorite tourist sites to date. I completely felt like I was in a time machine, being brought back to the 7th and 8th century when it was constructed. I walked a good deal of it, but I found it more enjoyable to sit on it and stare out into the mountains. The Wall is over 6700 kilometers long and truly seems never ending as it winds up and through the forest covered mountains. It is a complete wonder how they built it. Apparently the man power consisted of soldiers, prisoners and locals.

I found a nice spot on the wall, where I could lean back against it and face the length of it as it swirled up hill. Leon kept on walking, but I just sat there for over an hour picturing old warriors standing guard, protecting their land from nomadic tribes...it really brings you to another place. I was happy we spent the extra money to go to that area. I recommend anyone going to do the same, there were not many people and it aided in absorbing it's greatness and created a wonderful experience.

Having only a few hours sleep we were even more tired on the way back. I once again fell asleep, this time resting my head on Leon's lap and I had him rub my head the entire (couple of hours long) ride back. Thanks Leon!

After a long nap I met up with Leon and Amy again. We had dinner at the same Thai place and Amy and I decided to hit the strip afterward. After a few misses, I led her to Blu bar and we got there while it was still pretty empty. We followed the only cute guys in the place to the backroom... but they seemed only interested in playing pool. We sat on the couches pretty bored to be honest but glad to be rid of Leon... we wanted a girls night out! Somehow we struck up conversation with this Chinese girl that was visiting from another city. She was one of the sweetest people I have met, but Amy and I got the feeling she might like us in a different way than we liked her. Anyhow, we all danced the night away and I seemed to bounce from one nice guy to the next! I met many great guys that night as the place grew packed.

As we were talking to two eastern european guys, I turn around and there is Leon! It was a little creepy, but lets just say startling. Apparently he decided to come out after all. Amy and I continued to meet guys and dance, but decided to leave soon after the sighting. While Leon was a nice guy, he was just too much at times, this being one of them- you should see his reaction when he doesn't like the juice served to him, completely over dramatic and ridiculous, but it was one of the funniest and most embarrassing moments.

Amy and I made it to the street and noticed the 'strip' was packed with people. As we got closer to them we realized they were all young teenagers. We were quite confused about why they were still out and why they could drink, but more annoyed that we had to deal with them. It was time for home and Amy was going to be my overnight guest, but we stopped for water first at a street vendor. This warrants its own paragraph!

We stopped at this young guys cart- it looked like one of those ice cream freezers, but filled with drinks. He had some older men around him, sitting on the stoop by him. I think they got a kick out of all the young kids hanging about. As I was handing him the money, I noticed he was staring at my breasts. Now I have to chime in here and say that this was nothing new. In China people not only stared at my chest but some pointed and laughed and others would make exclamations, with big smiles and thumbs up. So this water vendor, picture a skinny inexperienced 18 year old.... is staring at my chest with the biggest grin on his face. His older buddies are definitely talking about them and making the kid giggle further and hesitates handing me the water. Now I was a little tipsy, perhaps I would have seen this coming if I weren't... but as his buddies are coaxing him or seem like it at least, he hands the waters to Amy, all the meanwhile still looking at my chest or turning back to his buddies... when suddenly, he grabs my boobs! I am not talking about a cheap quick feel... but a full on grab, squeeze and super glue clutch! Amy bursts out laughing, my jaw drops as laughter pours out and I grab the money I had given him and whatever gesture I made, made it clear that I would not be paying for the waters. In the end I think he got the better deal... I have never seen anyone so happy before- it clearly was a huge triumph for him.

It was enough excitement for the evening, Amy and I went to bed... I may have been staying in a dump, but the two beds were really coming in handy!