Dandong- AKA Great Wall Part 2

I believe I left the last post on my way out for some celebration beers with the end of the first week and the realization that I had pasted teachers college. 

The night was a blast. Took a taxi into town as we squished five us into the cab, once again being the tallest helped out as I was given the front. The bar the other teachers had talked up was very basic, clearly a lack of other options has propped it up. The best part of the night was by far the late night snacks. Just amazing selection of street eats, all barbecued up right in front of you. Really puts everything else to shame. Except maybe pizza corner, that is hard to beat.

The next day was a great day. Went to the local saturday market where I was happy wondering around checking out prices on everything from strawberries to cooking wear to clothes to pretty much everything. The best part by far was buying a blouse for Justin. So some background information is needed. We have a game going called "What are the Odds". Essentially as a way to spice up our trip, if you come up with an idea that seems a little ridiculous, you can ask the person what are the odds they will do it and they respond between 1 and 100. If you choose 100 then you obviously dont want to do it. You then count to three and the person who asked and the person who was asked say a number between 1 and 100 at the same time and if they line up they have to do it. So after that complex introduction, Justin had to wear a very colorful blouse that was quite tight on him for the whole day. As we watched him wear it there was a good amount of laughter at him. The best was when another male, a local, bought the shirt and started strutting around it, clearly a fashion statement. 

From the market we had breakfast at Stans, this guy is a beauty. Walking in he just casually mentions "So they are going to execute the boston marathon bomber". Clearly he is starved for conversation with North Americans. So that was great.

Went to the beach after which was the site of the Beijing Olympics Volleyball tournament. I can understand why as it was beautiful with great panoramic view. Lay on the beach and played some frisbee. Nice relaxing couple hours. From the beach went back to my office on campus (beach is a 15 min walk).

The next day we (our group of 6 plus Jan {coordinator of whole trip} and Bill, another education student going through the program in Edmonton who is from china aka our unpaid translator) squish into 2 cars and head to Dandong. Those who wish can look up the location, I suggest you do to get a sense of the adventure we felt on the way there. When we arrive we walk around the pier and then go to lunch at a traditional North Korean restaurant (seriously, look up Dandong before continuing to read) . Here we waited about two hours for sushi, have not idea how it takes so long, During this time we had two Korean girls sing to us (a weird Korean Karaoke thing) and invite me and Justin up to dance. At the end I was given flowers to present to the dancers, so I may be married now.

After this we went to another section of the great wall. It was not nearly as big a climb to the top as our previous excursion, but I was huffing and puffing as I reached the top. Only to be passed by a 70 year old man with 48 bottles of water on his back. This guys stamina was crazy. The view from the top was amazing. China on one side and North Korea on the other. I am still not sure how I feel being able to cast my gaze on a country ruled by a dictator with the possibility to launch the world into a nuclear war. Clearly me writing this blog means I am safe after getting so close, but I was definitely nervous there.

After the great wall we went and looked at some statutes about the Korean war then jammed backed into the car and drove back to Jinshitan for some much needed sleep for the next day.

I am gonna sign off for now. More to come. 

Here are some photos from earlier on in the trip. 

In order, me at the Ming Dynasty Tombs, Me before hiking great wall part, me on the great wall with members of my group, me about to enter forbidden city, great food, me facing off with a terra cotta warrior and the terra cotta warriors.