Anne Blythe: Preparing for Home

This morning we got up early to climb the Great Wall of China. The drive cut through downtown Beijing, the outskirts of the city, and the more rural portion where the wall begins. When we arrived it was becoming fairly windy, so we had a challenging climb up. The hike was worth it for the great view though.

After the Great Wall, we went to Silk Street Market to buy souvenirs and hone our bargaining skills. We hopped around among silk, jewelry, and tech shops, purchasing an impressive array of tassels, scarfs, and bowties. By the time we got back, most of us were exhausted, so we took a break before dinner to wind down. Unfortunately, we’re leaving tomorrow and everyone’s suitcases are exploding… We tried to eat some of the leftover food from the flight here, and I began the grueling process of throwing out everything I don’t need for the trip home. Hopefully I’ll get to the point where everything fits soon.