After travelling over 6824 miles from New York across oceans and mountains in pursuit of an adolescent dream in China, Nigerian-born Jazzy Jess had to withstand danger, fear and great difficulties to get to the top of the Great Wall of China and slay the Earth Dragon as the locals once called it. She knows just what to do when you have your back against the wall. Stick-to-it. Her experience, a lesson in perseverance, shows that victory becomes the story when difficult moments are met with courage and determination. She shares her success story with NewsmakersNG:
As far back as I could remember, one of my greatest goals in life was to travel the entire world. But as an elementary school student from an average family in Lagos, I never thought it could happen.
It all started when my uncle returned from studying in London and I sneaked into his books. I saw a big colorful book on world history that sparked my interest and curiosity. I saw Rome, Egypt, Greece, Istanbul, Persia, Paris, Prague, Pisa, Venice, China, New York, London, and their major National Monuments and I wanted to see all of those places in that book. I am a bookworm who loves history and geography.
Many years later, I made a commitment to conquer my fears and grab my dreams while I was young. I did not want to wait until I won the lotto or I retired with a pension, to see the world. I wanted to climb to the top of mountains, scuba dive oceans in Australia, visit the Taj Mahal, see the great pyramid, and bungee-jump now.
I had read a book about ancient China and was intrigued about its culture and customs. I read about the dynasties, emperors, great wall, the forbidden city, food, people, trade, marital and social orders in ancient China and hungered to see some of it one day. No one wanted to go so I travelled alone. I called this first grand trip “a little taste of Asia” and it involved travelling solo through three countries (China, Japan and South Korea) and nine cities but I did not know anyone or the languages, so I was very nervous. The highlight of this trip was to get to the top of the wall of China.
The Great Wall of China is a system of many walls built over 2,000 years ago (since the 8th century BC). There are over 10 popular sections of the great wall and I wondered which one to choose. The Badaling section is beautiful, half restored and very popular amongst Chinese visitors but I chose the Mutianyu section which is said to be the most magnificent, fully restored section. It is more difficult to climb but has wonderful views. What is a little pain when you have waited half your life for this climb right?
So, on a warm Spring day in April, I joined a group tour to climb the Mutianyu section of the great wall which is about 1.5 hours from Beijing. We were tourists from all over the world and I became fast friends with a group of four.
I must get to the top. I came across oceans for this climb.
When I first spied the wall from the gate, my excitement grew. I could not wait to see the rest of it. I could not wait to get to the top. Then we got closer, and I saw the numerous steps and wondered if I could do this hike. A few sets of steps later, three of my new friends gave up. Halfway up, I was left to do this hike alone but I would not give up. I said to myself, “I must get to the top; I came across oceans for this climb.” I took some rest stops to take in the beauty of this Chinese countryside with fresh spring blossoms and dangerous mountain curves. Finally, I made it to the top. It felt great and I was so happy. A few of us exchanged high-fives then started taking pictures. I finally saw the Great Wall of China and climbed to the top of the Mutianyu section. There are more adventures to come, but Wall of China: CHECKED.
