Jinshanling Great Wall

6:00 a.m. we picked Bill up at the Renaissance and heading out to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall.  This is not the section we originally thought we were going to.  We planned on the Simatai Section.  However, after 3 1/2 hours in the car we got to the gate to see a sign that said something to the fact of...closed for a few days for restoration.  Great! Now we need to find the other section.  We were bound and determined to get Bill on the wall one way or another.  We drove about another 30 minutes stopping twice to ask for directions. At the other end of the Simatai road there was another big sign that said this section is closed.  It was put up in June of 2010.  I think that is a little more than a few days.  Oh well.   FINALLY we arrived at Jinshanling. 

Going to an AFLAC commercial shoot or to a Peking Duck Restaurant?

In China they have these statue guys for construction workers.

The sign that says it has been closed since June of 2010.

We went to the ticket booth to buy cable car tickets.  There was a girl there trying to sell books and postcards.  Todd told her maybe when we come back down.  To the cable car.  We took the 17 minute cable car ride to the top.  Cameron and I jumped in the first car.  We looked back and the people working were telling Todd and Bill "One person at a time".  There is no way both of these guys were fitting in this little car.  It was a warm ride.  Very little air moves around inside these cars. 

The guys checking out the map.

The welcome sign.

Bill is in and Todd is still waiting.

Making our way to the wall.

We have arrived.

On the way up we watched people walk up a very steep path to the top.  We were glad we weren't doing that.  Once out of the cable car there were locals standing there.  They made small talk with us but then followed us to the wall.  They continued to walk with us for about 15 minutes.  We bought a beer and stopped to drink it and take in the scenery.  This is by far the coolest section of the wall that we have been on.  These two locals started harassing Todd and Bill to buy things.  They were saying they were poor and need money.  Todd said "I told someone at the bottom I might buy from her".  Bill and I looked at each other and said "Todd this is her.  She climbed the path while we were in the cable car".  Todd said "Oh, really?".  Bill finally bought a book thinking this would make them leave.  Well, it made the book girl leave but then the other one just kept bugging Todd.  Todd finally just handed her 20 RMB to make her leave.  He didn't even take the postcards. 

Bill, Todd, and I after finally losing the locals.

We took the left path on the wall.  It is the old section.  Parts are crumbling.  The towers have very bad cracked walls that look like they could fall at any moment.  A lot of places you could fall to your death off the side so we really needed to pay attention and be careful.  It was definitely neat.  There weren't too many people.  Bill kind of started to feel sick so we took a rest.  We continued on a while longer then decided to stop.  Bill and I sat on the side while Todd and Cameron decided to go up to one more tower.  There were a lot of steps.  Once at the top they were waving at us and taking pictures.  They said the view was awesome. 

Bill is a little too tall.

Some Chinese people were watching Cameron.  They thought he was really
trying to turn the page of this book.

Cool walls.

The boys all took a different path.

Cute.

We aren't sure how stable these walls were but they are cool.

Up to the other tower with Todd.

This spot was popular.

This tower has seen better days.

Very cute picture.

Check out this walk way.

Bill had the wall to himself.

We headed back to the cable car.  At this point you can see the path to the right.  It looks to be very restored and nice.  We might need to make a return visit so we can walk that side.  Back in the cable car.  17 minute ride down.  As we were walking to the van there were about 20 booths of  people selling drinks, snacks, and souvenirs.  They were all yelling at us trying to get us to stop at their booth.  But, Todd told the people in booth 4 that he would be back.  They promised they would have a cold beer for him.  The girl saw him coming and she skipped to her refrigerator to get beers.  She looked so happy.  Bought a couple of beers and even a couple Great Wall books.  One is specifically the Jinshanling section. 

Heading back down.

Riding down.

A beer from our friend in booth 4.

Back to the van to have lunch.  We stood outside the back of the van eating Subway sandwiches, chips, and watermelon.  After lunch we packed up and headed back to TEDA.  Todd made Mr. Xue take a different way home.  It is shorter but about the same time because the road we took back was a lot like the roads in Colorado...a lot of switch backs coming out of the mountains.  It was a cool view but most of us were feeling a little car sick because Mr. Xue was on the gas, brakes, gas, brakes.  UGH!  Finally a straight shot towards home.  The 3 adults took a nap on the way home.  Some longer than others.

Lunch time.

Back in TEDA at 5:50. We dropped Bill off after a great day at the wall. 

The fun was not over yet though.  We picked Bill back up at 6:50 to go to Nadia's birthday party.  We had the Carrasco's with us too.  Cameron stayed at their house with the ayi so we could go to the party.  We went to the new Jacky's.  It is much different than the one across the street from our apartment.  Much bigger and nicer.  Plus there is outdoor seating.  Todd thought it was too hoity toity for him.  I thought it was nice with no smoke.

A lot of people to chat with.  Todd and Bill were outside eating when all of a sudden they could hear, from inside the bar, everyone chanting my name.  I HAD to  drink a Tequila shot.  Yuck!  Todd came in and said "Let me guess, you won't be going home with me will you?"  He knew I was having too much fun to leave at 9:00.  That is when him and Bill left.  Todd grabbed Cameron and went home. 

Me, Susan, Nadia, and Ileana having fun.

Nadia, Ileana, Ivonne, Mar's husband, Mar, Marina, Manuel, Cecilia, and me.
I just finished the shot...Ick!

All the girls again.

At 11:00 I was suppose to go home with Susan.  But when she said she was leaving the Mexicans talked me into staying with them.  It didn't take too much begging.  This is about the time the dance floor opened up.  I'm not sure if it was suppose to be a dance floor but we made it one.  Lots of Mexican music and Mexican dancing.  It was a blast.  I kept asking for American music so the guys were nice and threw in two I think.  Finally at 1:30 a.m. we walked next door to the Holiday Inn Express and jumped in cabs.  Back to Warner and to bed.  Such a fun night.

Yep, bustin' a move.

I think we call this 'driving the bus'.

This picture cracks me up.

A whole lot of shaking going on.