Holy Schenekedy!
Although The Ig and I stood in awe under this sign today,
(Rob and Marsh; photo shows a street sign declaring Shanhaiguan just 65k away)
it still hadn’t really sunk in that we’re a mere two days away from Shanhaiguan. We’d planned on catching a bus to Qinhuangdao when we finished walking; a short day’s walk from where we left off and a short day’s walk to Shanhaiguan, it was perfectly situated.
Before we could catch a bus, however, a police car pulled over.
Where you guys goin’? Want a ride?
And once again; in the back of a cop car? Hell yeah.
They took us to the Beidaihe bus station, told us what number to catch to Qinhuangdao, and then whipped out their camera. For a moment I pictured the technician developing their roll of film and flipping through the pictures; a fleeing criminal, a pedestrian mangled between cars, crime scene photos, and two grinning, slobbering lao wei standing next to the cop car. Sweet.
We snapped a photo before they left as well.
(Rob and Matsh; photo shows me with the two officers standing next to their car)
Beidaihe and Qinhuangdao both sit on the Bohai sea, and about halfway through our bus ride we got our first glimpse of the water. I could hardly believe what I was seeing.
“What the hell is that?” I gasped. “What…is that chunks of styrofoam all over the beach?”
“Uhhh,” Ig started, “that looks an awful lot like ice and snow…yee-ah, that’s ice and snow.”
Big chunks of ice and snow. We’re definitely not in the Gobi anymore, Toto.
Tags: China, Great Wall, Hebei Province, Travel, Trekking, Tag Index
November 24th, 2006 at 6:00 am
I know, you are all thinking exactly what we are: how did these two morons make it all the way across China???
The grace of Shibble and one smart turtle, I think.
Glad you all seem to like the videos….Miss Speilberg over here has become quite the expert. If you only knew how many didn’t make the cut! Maybe when this is over she’ll release a ‘Bloopers’ video.
And with only 2 days left, now is the perfect time for all you shy secret admirers of Jamie to step up to the keyboard and tell her how proud you are of her….she is truly deserving of some love from her fans. I can tell you, she works damn hard at this site, walking all day and then writing for hours to put it all into entertaining form for you all to read.
I’ll even go first: Jamie Bradish, you’re awesome!
November 24th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Hi Jamie,
You are definitely awesome. Thanks for taking us all along on this adventure via your pictures and posts. It has been so much fun. We will all miss reading your posts and getting our “giggle fix” for the day!! You both have so many admirers all over the world. I hope many of them will take the time to write one final reply (even if it is their first)!!!
Congratulations to Jamie and Rob!
November 24th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Hear hear, Rob. I definitely echo that sentiment towards Jamie and you both. Never have I known anyone to stare such a great adventure in the face, decide that they actually *want* to go through with it, and not only start the expedition but COMPLETE it as well. It helps to restore my faith that some people actually do what they say they’ll do.
So kudos, you two, for doing something that 99% of us will ever dream of doing. You’re truly the definition of “one percenter’s”.
November 25th, 2006 at 3:01 am
Jamie and Rob, you are both awesome. Jamie, you have written a fantastic blog, and Rob, I mean, how many punchlines would Jamie have without you???
We sure will miss checking in on you every day, knowing that you’re only a mere 2000kms infront of us and having the same daily problems. Good luck with the final day, keep an eye on the road and Ig, are you really going to jump in the water?
November 27th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Are you kidding! I am amazed not only by the fact that you put this together James, but by the fact that you respond to each and every one of us every time! Whoo hoo to you! I told Ig to take care of you, and found out that you are not only doing a good job of that on your own but you are taking care of him as well! Thanks for that and WOW! You are a major multi-tasker! I am truly in awe of both of you for what you have done. I know that others have walked for miles around the world. But you guys are the only ones I know! So in my world you are kinda famous! How ya like that!
Gotta run. My kid is four today! Lots to do!
Love, hugs and prayers!
Bean
And Ig Monster, I think you are pretty great too buddy!
November 30th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
I second and third and fourth and etc., that motion. Jamie you have done an amazing job in keeping us all entertained. This will make an amazing book and I look forward to reading it. However, Rob I say to you, you are an amazing man. You not only have put up with my sister and her moods, but you have protected her when neccessary, kept her spirits up (always), pushed her, tempered her, and generally have been a perfect travel companion. As the brother, I extend to you my undying gratitude and the invitation into my home, anytime, anywhere, anyplace…period. I thank you for being a friend to my sister. Godspeed to Robert England.
December 2nd, 2006 at 3:30 am
Jill; thanks mom! ;~)
JP; I talked too much shit not to finish! ;~)
E&B; he actually took his shoes off and went in…and then nearly lost his toes to frostbite. ;~)
Bean; woooot–I’m famous?! ;~)
Jay; whaddaya mean put up with my moods?!? How would you know?! Oh, right, you grew up with me…exit stage left…
;~)