China, A New Wall Discovered
 

One of my main reasons for visiting China is to hike a portion of the over 4,000 mile long “Great Wall” that is in some areas at least 700 years old.

Settling into Chinese Box Hostel after an almost midnight arrival, I am surprised to hear a few of the guests talking about a new wall discovered here. Turning on my notebook, I am interested to research if their discovery is true.

I have just lost contact with my 1865.75 friends. OMG, what I am going to do? How am I going to survive the next 5 days in China? I have just clashed into something more intimidating and technologically advanced than what was built here almost 700 years ago.

I have encountered, “The Great Facebook Firewall”. But have no fear, Captain Facebook, a fellow guest comes to the rescue with a little program that conquers this wall like the Mongolians could not do hundreds of years ago.

I am LLMAO as the wall comes crumbling down right before my eyes. A moment later, I realize that conquering this wall may not have been a good thing. Now I have to once again defend myself from banner ads, spam and possibly 1.3 billion friend requests. OMG.

Yes some websites are blocked in China but getting around it is not so difficult.

Your kidding right? You didn't know about the firewall in China before you left? I guess your not into doing much research ahead of your travels? If you don't mind, how much was it per night you spent at the box hostel? What were the facilities like there, bunks, rooms, etc. Any English spoken at the front desk? Are you there now or is this a trip from yesteryear? Looking forward to the rest of your report.

Hardly new. People have been complaining about it for years. Even if you don't read guidebooks you must have been looking at the wrong places on the web. Facebook may be no help (never use it myself) but plenty of work around posts should be easy to find elsewhere.

JPDeM,

I could not even upload to blogger. Ironic in a way since so much of the high tech stuff is made there :(

ladytravels,

Where is your sense of humor :(

Of course and I others knew about the Chinese limitations on the use of the internet. The point of the post is the comparsions of the walls.. "Great Wall" vs "Fire Wall" :)

BTW .. I do limit my research ahead of my travels because that is the type of traveling that I enjoy. Most times I go places with no advance bookings and that is how I find gems like Chinese Box Hostel or encounter the kindest of strangers.

I will make a separate post about Chinese Box Hostel. However, brief answers to your questions. US$19 per night shared 4 or 7 bunks. Community bathrooms. Great source for local outings and most of the staff spoke decent English.

Just got back and will posting more reports in the coming days and maybe even weeks.

thursdaysd,

I am no fan of "Facebook" either and as I wrote in the post another guest had the work around.

I guess I did not properly convey that the post was written "tongue in cheek".

"Great Wall.. Fire Wall" :)

BTW, There is no "Captain Facebook". I was just trying to protect the identity of my maybe Chinese illegal source of a work around.

Ok, I won't quit my business to try and become a comedy writer as I guess no one here gets my sense of humor. Next time maybe I'll include a disclaimer :)

<i>Where is your sense of humor</i>
That is why I asked if you were kidding. Sometimes what we write on the internet is taken the wrong way I guess.

I also hate to use those smiley faces about as much as you say you dislike learning about a place ahead of your travels :)

Thanks for the hostel info and will be looking for your report.

Well, it might have been funny 15 years ago, but hardly today.

ladytravel,

I never said I dislike learning about a place ahead of my travels.. (SF)

In fact it is learned knowledge about a place that gets me interested in visiting it. Where I take a different approach than others is that I like to visit places as what I would call an Independent Budget Minded Adventure Traveler .. (HF)

For me, any info in a US$20 Guidebook is readily available online or better yet from reliable local sources. I am not afraid to blunder as the benefit for me is usually a rich travel experience.

My best travel experiences have been from taken the road less traveled. Doing things against the "common sense" of most posters here or things written in guidebooks.

For doing this my sanity and intelligence has been questioned by those that apparently ride tall travel horses (SF).

However, I know to each (his/her) own. I entertain their criticism because I know their ability to share their expertise makes their day worthwhile (HF)

thursdaysd,

Was "Facebook" around 15 years ago?

I guess my dream to write for "Leno" or "Conan" is crushed :(