10th February, 2001
Souvenirs Of Climb: Chinese Boy Improves Local Humidity !; Entrepreneurs With Polaroid Cameras; Japanese Man Painting Landscape Picture; Savour Experiences Of Climb
August, 1987
Souvenirs of the places we visit become treasured mementos in future years. Souvenirs of the Great Wall were plentiful in the shops and stalls by the car park, and although much has been written about The Great Wall, when I reached the peak tower I was still amazed by the wonder of it all and thrilled by the experience of having earned my, "I Have Climbed The Great Wall" certificate and medal, which we all received when we returned to the coach ! Going back down the steeper steps was perhaps more difficult than climbing up them, but there was the advantage of a better view of the surrounding landscape on a brilliantly clear day. About half way down on a reasonably level landing, a Japanese man was using the top of the wall and the handrail as an easle, and painting a picture of the scenery.
 Close by, a couple of Chinese entrepreneurs had set up their Polaroid cameras and were encouraging the passers by to have their photographs taken as a memento of their visit, ..........for a fee, and a very young boy who wanted to go to the toilet, added his contribution to the local humidity against the side of the wall. Despite all the hazards and distractions, I eventually got down to the Official Great Wall Souvenir Store where I bought a pack of postcards; was joined by other members of the group and we returned to the coach to be head-counted before returning to our hotel to savour our memorable experiences during a visit to The Great Wall Of China, on a blistering hot day, a compete change to the weather we had in Nanjing.
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