The Great Wall

Conference participants went to the Great Wall yesterday, at least that portion that is about 25 miles outside downtown Beijing.

As you can see from these pictures, we weren't the only ones. All those postcard pictures that you see of the Wall in solitary majesty have been overtaken by the realities of market-driven, tourist-based economy.

I don't have time to say much this morning, but I will note that the coming down was harder than the going up. The wall is very steep, and several of us noted that our legs were trembling from the exertion of the walk down.

Listen to this: a strange clash of East and West. Vendors sell souvenirs of all types, including whistles. But don't expect to hear authentic folk tunes.