Lesson on the wall

I was hundreds of feet above where I had started, less than an hour into my great climb and surrounded by lush Chinese hills and mountains. Thankfully, the day was still early, a necessary mercy when climbing at the end of summer. Yet, no mercy or beauty of nature could distract me from the leg cramps that increased with each step as I ascended the ancient ruins. Visiting the Great Wall is non-negotiable for anyone bound for China. Shortly after arriving, I had been told that not until one climbed along the Great Wall could one ever really be human. In my mind, I was more than human. I was 20, an adult. But surrounded by packs of chattering Chinese, I looked back at the cracked steps and thought of the months leading to this moment. The Wall is a great teacher to the traveler hungry to experience the ancient Orient, and from it I learned hidden lessons about China and myself.

Walking along the wall is equal to experiencing the daily packed commutes within the cities. The ascent, a subway-like system as packed “streams” of people are steadily pushed up the beginning steps, gradually lightens and transitions into a busy street. Some climbers speed by, weaving through spaces ahead. This great climb tests the limits of the human body; therefore, preparation should begin soon after deciding to climb the Great Wall. More than one physically challenging adventure waits in China, and an overall healthy physique makes the challenges enjoyable.

The unique social behaviors towards foreigners surprised me when my summit unexpectedly turned into an intense photo-op because of my Caucasian features. At my weakest and nearly stumbling into dozens of other summited climbers, I had little time to surrender to my feelings of relief, pride, and exhaustion when I became the model of a series of group pictures, a foreigner among strangers. Obliged and amused, I plastered a smile and flashed the peace sign.

In a moment of sudden reflection, my gaze locked beyond the wall and into the ancient hills. I felt the excitement around me was congratulation, “Now you are human!” It was as if the Wall wanted me to remember one valuable lesson: what is done and accomplished in life determines whether one becomes human. Recognizing cultural, physical, and mental lessons is a skill; travelers who accept them may discover goals they wish to summit.