Great Wall of Kelly.

Yesterday, I signed up to take an English tour to the Ming Tombs and finally, the Great Wall of China! Saved the best for last. I had to wake up at the ungodly hour of 7 am, but I was so excited to finally get to see the Great Wall. I met some awesome people on the tour from Canada and England and the tour guide was funny and informative. The Ming Tombs were great, though a very short trip since the pubic is not allowed to go to the tombs set by the mountains, so there is only one to look at. The Ming Tombs are were 13 emperors and 24 empresses are buried (not too sure on the numbers). One tomb was excavated (does that bring bad luck?) and the relics and treasures they put in the tomb were amazing. Our tour guide also told us concubines were buried alive if they were not good to the emperors and always made trouble or talked too much. That will remind me to keep my mouth shut to authority figures...

Another quick fact. The reason why people burn incense when they pray is because when people die, they go up into the heavens. So people pray in their minds and hearts while carrying incense and the smoke from it rises to the sky to send the message to the dead. I didn't know that until yesterday. Pretty cool to learn this information.

After lunch it was time to go to the Great Wall and it was the perfect weather, not too hot. This experience was so amazing. To be in the presence of one of the World Wonders is an once in a lifetime experience. I can't believe people even built this, it seems impossible! The mountains are steep and covered with trees. I can't wrap my head around the fact that this was built hundreds of years ago. The stones look so heavy as well, but the architecture is beautiful and how they were able to build while following the shapes and curves of the mountains. I highly recommend going to the Great Wall at some point in your life. It's breathe-taking and I took so many pictures. I wish I could post them here.

For my last dinner in Beijing I had Shabu Shabu (hot pot) and I'm not sure it's sitting in my stomach well. Owww. Beijing was so fun and I'm happy I came for as long as I did. I got to check so many beautiful attractions off my list because I was able to go to 2 a day (except for the Fragrant Hills). Beijing has so much history and I was able to meet some great people I will never forget.

As my trip winds down (Shanghai tonight, USA Thursday), I'm getting a little sad. I've been in China for two months and though I want to come home, I will never forget this experience. When we were eating outside on a beautiful night last night, I was thinking, when am I ever going to have the chance to be in a different country and doing my own thing. It's hard to explain but it's hard to let go. It will be tough, but I can't wait for my luxuries of home. Using my iPhone, hair straightener, no nose picking, no loogies, better smelling people (hehe), etc. I now appreciate what I have so much more and appreciate my culture and being Chinese. I just wish I would stop getting those rude stares!!!! Yes I'm an American Born Chinese, yes I dress differently and speak English, LIVE WITH IT!!!!