A Thousand Words...

...give or take for this picture and post.

Just because I buy them does not mean that I am a fan of guidebooks.

Here is why.

Before you even pack your bags, you have likely been saving for several months for that trip to Mexico or Europe or China. There was a reason you chose your destination and you have already mentally arrived there in your daydreams of sipping margaritas on a beach in Mexico, admiring the creativity of Gaudi in Spain or hiking the Great Wall of China.

With no known plans of visiting space in the future, I knew before my plane even took off for Beijing that my best chance to see the Great Wall of China was at wheels down.

I was not disappointed. I made it to MuTianYu at the Great Wall and was filled with a nervous anticipation as I rode the cable car up. As I looked out in the picture above I asked myself who else might have stood in the exact same spot? And how long ago? Could they have even dreamed so many visitors would frequent their posts one day? I could venture to guess, but the answers were not important.

There is an element of accidental tourism in even the best intended itineraries. Instead of focusing on details Fodor deemed necessary, I chose to soak in my surroundings and make new memories on a structure dating back to BC dates. Without question, no guidebook could have prepared me for the majestic grace of a wall predicated on defending dynasties. I think life has a way of guiding you if you let it...and the best part is it doesn't cost a dime.