2/7

It isn't every day when you are taken to see a Wonder of the World. Yet, that was what today brought ...

I have dreamed about coming to China since I was about six years old. My father had gone there for business, only for a week or two, and he came back with stories and treasures (I still have the Chinese doll, the vases, and the miniature tea set). I was fascinated by the International Date Line and the stories of someone called Lazy Susan, who seemed to appear often at mealtime.

But more than anything else, when I thought about China, I thought about the mysterious Great Wall. There were childrens'-version encyclopedias (called "Childcraft" - I don't think they even make them anymore). And one of these volumes was about "Famous Places." I can still remember reading about them, over and over again, the chapters about the Seven Ancient Wonders and Seven Modern Wonders.

The First Wonder of the World I got to see was the Colosseum, back in 1998. (Despite all of my time in Italy, I've yet to see the Leaning Tower). Today was the second of seven.

We (Bob, Ellen, Zhong, and Zhong's mother, myself, and our van driver) were taken by mini-van about 70 minutes outside of Beijing, to "Badaling" - one of the many sites where you can climb and enter the Great Wall. I've posted pictures. They will speak for themselves. The picture of me is atop the highest point of the Great Wall.

I've done most of my traveling in the summer months, and my new determination, after traveling during "off-peak" season, is that I will orchestrate different travel opportunities for colleagues and students that are not limited to travel during the summer. Winter travel has MANY advantages. No lines, no heat, lower prices, and not worried about passing out of heat-stroke are some of the advantages. There was "almost no one" at the Great Wall Today. (Almost no one, though, in a country that holds 1/4 of the world's population, is still several hundred people).

To say to everyone, "You must go here," is a bit of an understatement. I'm well aware of the complication and cost it takes for Americans (or Europeans reading this also) to get to Asia. And that is one of the many reasons why I'm grateful for every second of this opportunity. Also, climbing and walking the "Great Wall" is not for the faint-at-heart! It is a grueling 20% incline, and you are surrounded by people who are in shape and who really want to walk. I had an old Chinese man speed by me today on the wall! And I've been working out regularly this semester ...

For those of you reading, who may be thinking, "Hey, she's supposed to be *working*!" -- have no fear. Our work begins tomorrow at the Beijing Conservatory - Ellen and I will rehearse, and she will do a class tomorrow on orchestral excerpts.

As a reminder - I can't access Facebook until I return to the US. I am able to post here and to "Instagram" - but if you need to write to me, send me an email!