I think the entire country of China was on the Great Wall today. Seriously. It wasn't peaceful, at least half the country of China was on it, and the entire world of tourists. Then every 20 feet, there is some middle aged man who thinks having a smoke is going to help his climb. So fresh air isn't even a plus. Claustrophobia on the wall is a very real possibility. Especially, when they close the main Great Wall section because of road construction, and cram all of us onto a tiny part. (In fact, most of Beijing in under construction -- Olympics.)
And somehow, my Great Wll tour ended up including a visit to some Beijing Chinese Medicine center, for a foot massage and a plug to buy Chinese herbs. None of us on the tour, including the Chinese people, knew we were getting a foot massage included in the price. In fact, it wasn't in the price. All 15-20 of us load on the small bus, got surrounded by Chinese foot massagers and had to shell out 20 RMB (a little over $2). In fact, there was so many other things packed into this tour, we had to run up the Wall and run back down for lack of time.
While at the unexpected visit to the Chinese Medicine Center we learn from the Chinese doctor, that apparently if your feet hurt, it's a sign you need herbs. Chinese herbs. I think my sore feet had more to do with climbing the Great Wall steps for two hours straight, than a problem with my liver. Half of us refused the Chinese doctor diagnosis (which was going to be a hard core plug to spend money on unknown chemicals.) But the Italians, Europeans fell for it. The Chinese couple I befriended refused. The Japanese girl I befriended refused. The Westerners fell hook line and sinker.
At their diagnosis, I couldn't stop laughing. The Brits (who also refused) and I were exchanging glances -- the whole thing was quite funny.
I was listening to the half a dozen people getting a diagnosis. They all got the same thing, at the same time. So they probably didn't here the chorus of Chinese medicine doctors saying the same thing to the weary hikers...here is the sample:
Chinese doctor (of which there were 12 or so): Do you have back pain today?
Out-of-shape Italian Great Wall Tourist Climber: Yes!
Chinese doctor: Are your bones sore?
Italian: Yes!
Chinese doctor: Do you get tired, are you tired?
Italian: Yes!
Chinese doctor: Let me see your tongue.
Italian: (sticks out tongue)
Chinese doctor: I think you have the early onset of liver failure. I recommend this treatment.
Italian: (Hands over credit card. Receives large bottles of pills.)
More on the Great Wall visit later. The best part was making new friends with a super nice couple from Hong Kong. We exchanged addresses, and will probably stay in touch. The humor today was NON-STOP, the three of us were laughing because of the goofiness of the tour, and the uselessly bad tour guide -- the husband of the couple from Hong Kong was hilarious about it. The wife was amazing -- in her college years, she traveled by herself deep into rural China. Truly amazing tales.
I have to wake up in 3 1/2 hours, so gotta log off. Just wanted to type stuff in before I forget!
Just one closing question: Has anyone else noticed, you can't walk down the streets of Beijing without hearing a Chinese men spit dramatically. A gutteral spit. Spit. Spit. Spit. Tonight, I saw a little boy spit into the alley. They must learn young.
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