I'm Legal!

Today, Adam and I experienced a minor miracle.  We both set out from our respective apartments to meet at the metro station to go to the Bureau of Entry/Exit to retrieve our residence permits - supposed to be ready today.  After what seemed to be a rocky start to our errand when we got lost in the metro station - we were both waiting by different door 'B's - why are there 2 in the same station!? - we made it to the Bureau...and drum roll please...it took 5 minutes.  Tops.  In, paid for it, and retrieved our passports a la residence permit, and out again lickety-split quick.  Yaay!  We're legal!

In other tourist news, Adam, Alison, and I went to the Great Wall last weekend for a hike.  I haven't had time to write about it yet, but it was pretty impressive!  We went to a more remote section (it took us 3 hours to get there) but then we got to hike along the top of the wall for 4 hours, taking pictures, loitering inside towers, etc.  The views were breathtaking, and it was hard to believe that we were so close to Beijing, no sign of the big city out there, and the air was clean and pure, a welcome change from the exhaust-laden air everywhere here.

 Compared to stories I've heard, there weren't that many hawkers, with only a view determined villagers selling t-shirts and postcards, taking our plastic water bottles when we were done with them, and generally asking for money.  We picked up an interesting pair about halfway through the day who seemed to think if they stayed with us and told us random facts about the wall that we would give them money in the end...it was a bit awkward and heartbreaking to turn them away as they told such sad stories of their children, but at the same time giving them money just perpetuates the annoying behavior towards tourists.  We were more on edge after they latched on to us and I would say that we enjoyed the wall a bit less.  But, on the whole, it was a great trip, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone willing to get a little exercise while seeing the Great Wall of China!

I accidentally put the Great Wall pics in the same album as other pictures from Beijing, so when you click on this, it'll start with other pictures, but just click through about 20 and then you'll be at the Great Wall photos.  Sorry about that!