Destination: Wenzhou

We have arrived to the National Park in Wenzhou. The air smells fresher here. Although, the elevation is something my body needs to adjust to, breathing here takes a little more effort. Though the other guys don’t seem much phased by this at all.

I am in awe of the natural surroundings that I find myself engulfed by. As I look up I see nothing but stone, greenery, and blue skies. The car ride was long and I am happy to be on foot with my camera in my hand. I instantly begin snapping photos of everything and anything. The guys quickly catch on that this is kind of my thing.

We begin the hike to the highest point we can. There is a good amount of people here as well. I soon realize that I become just as much of a monument as the natural ones surrounding me. A lot of people take notice to me and begin staring as I pass. Some people even extend a broken English, “hello.” I am enjoying the attention, honestly. I jokingly ask myself, “Is this what celebrity feels like?” I feel that the guys I’m with don’t mind the attention either.

I am in the far back, basking in the inspiration that is surrounding me as I continue to photograph. Terry is in the far front of the group basically running. I notice this and begin to play the game. Now Terry, Tian Ji, and myself are running to see who can make it to the top first. Although, we cannot communicate this verbally, somehow we know the competition that lies in this situation.

Li Miao and Pengfei are puffing for air in the tail end and begin to slow. They decide to sit down and rest. I know at this point, I cannot let Pengfei live this down. Our friendship is very brotherly, so anytime we can poke fun at the other we seize the moment. I call him slowpoke and continue the journey to the top.

As I make it to the top somewhere closely behind Terry, I am winded, but not just by the exertion of physical activity, but by the pure beauty that lays ahead of me. I can feel the wind on my face as beads of sweat fall down my forehead, and I inhale a deep breath of air. My lungs fill with China as I close my eyes and know I have arrived.