It was Great

While many of our experiences on this trip to China would be classified as deeply moving and profound, we also took time to enjoy many lighter, more recreational pursuits during our time there. We met new people, explored the tourist spots, and steeped ourselves in the rich Chinese culture. These too are stories and sights which weave themselves into the fabric of our amazing trip, and because of that, I will include them here along with our deeper reflections from visiting orphans.
Two days after we arrived in Beijing, we set out with a small group of fellow PHF visitors to explore bits of the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Though we don't have visits to any other sections of the wall to compare with, we highly recommend this Mutianyu bit! With riding a ski lift up to the wall over the beautiful Chinese hills and forests and tobogganing back down on the speed chute, you are guaranteed to have a blast!While the wall itself is amazing (even when shrouded with layers of clouds and smog!), we were particularly impressed by its history as told to us by our tour guide. Did you know that millions of men died over the centuries of building this massive structure, or that at its peak it took about a million men just to guard it? Incredible! Even more amazing is the fact that the bulk of the construction of the wall was completed a few hundred years before Chr*st walked the face of the earth! It was so surreal and awe-inspiring to us to be walking up steps and over stones that were there at the very time that J*sus was alive.
The Great Wall was also our first experience with Chinese vendors and their aggressive bargaining! It started something like this: "Hey lady, lady! You wanta some chopsticks? Jade Bracelet? Very special price just for you!" If you approached their stand, they would pull out a calculator and punch in some prices: "Other people, they pay _____(a ridiculously inflated price!). But for you----because you are my friend (or beautiful or whatever)--I give it to you for _____ (slightly less)." Then they would pass the calculator and we would punch in a much more reasonable figure, only to have them complain: "We no make money! We are poor!" Eventually, by walking away and getting called back, you could usually get them to settle on something closer to the item's real value. After handing over the money, however, you would receive insulted looks or be outright ignored. What happened to us being "friends"? :)
When people asked us later that day how the wall was, we said "Great!" Literally. :)