The happy dance!

Posted by Mark on Dec 18, 02:46 PM

I’ve made it! Old Dragons Head, Shanhaiguan. Damn! I’ve just completed the ‘happy dance’, or in my case the ‘happy shuffle’ to the tune of ‘Little Green Bag’ (Reservoir Dogs soundtrack) echoing in my head. Amazingly, I have ‘Old Dragons Head’ to myself. There isn’t a single person on the ‘peninsula’ with me. To make things even better it’s a stunning day.

It’s been a bloody long haul… 4800km and 9 months of trekking. I can hardly believe that I’m here. It’s actually quite overwhelming. Not sure how I feel at the moment. It all seems a bit surreal. I guess it will take a few days to sink in.

I’m going to sit on the beach for a while then think about making my way to Beijing. One thing I can tell you… I’m going to take a train or bus. It’s time for me to hang up my walking boots (well at least for the time being) and rest my aching feet. I think I’ll buy a pair of slippers and spend the next few days lounging around and being a bit of a slug.

It’s a strange feeling knowing that in a few days time I’ll be back home. I am looking forward to it… immensely, but at the same time I know that it will be strange to leave the wall behind me. For the past 9 months it feels as though my entire existence has evolved around the Great Wall.

The things that I’m most looking forward to… a balanced meal that doesn’t include two packs of instant noodles and a multi vitamin tablet, having a conversation that doesn’t resemble a game of charades, daily access to a porcelain toilet and hot water.

One thing I do know is that as soon as I get back I’ll be looking for work. Hell, I’ll even lick stamps to earn a crust, provided that they don’t taste like instant noodles. So if there are any prospective employers out there… drop me a line.

Actually, come to think of it… I’d make some deserving women a half decent ‘kept man’. After all, during the past 9 months I’ve proven that I can carry heavy things and I’m an expert in hand washing. Just think, someone to carry all your shopping and wash all your ‘delicates’! What more could you ask from Santa?

In about a week I’ll post another journal entry, basically my reflections on the past 9 months. I’ll also get around to updating the Google track log file for all those that are interested in seeing the route that I walked. For now though, time to kick back and relax.

Thanks a million for all the emails and encouragement that I have received along the way. It really made a big difference. If you haven’t had the opportunity to make a donation to Oxfam yet, please consider. It will help make Christmas a happy time for the most disadvantaged.