China

Recess on steroids + ecstasy =My trip in China (obviously not literally)
We arrived in Shanghai on the 16th coming down the Huang River literally one of the most incredible skylines I have ever seen. On one side was the business and financial district and then on the other were the older buildings where the bund was. We were in the perfect location to see everything it was great as I was eating breakfast I was looking at the skyline of Shanghai. Weird. 
One of my friends, Lauren and I decided to take the bus out to this water village on the outskirts of town for the day. We got off the bus, which was a very hilarious ride. No joke the traffic reminds me a bit of Rome you can pretty much go wherever you want, especially if you are a big bus. The driver was everywhere and we didn’t even know if we were going the right direction. But we finally made it and at first we got of the bus and it seemed nothing as to what we had expected… We were the only white people and had no idea where we were. On this trip I have began to truly embrace that I am never truly lost. It in incredible feeling to feel so hopeless with no way of communicating yet at the same feel so comfortable.
We finally came upon the river and the buildings. It was beautiful. All the buildings were red and white with bridges everywhere. There was a market around that area too where people were selling everything imaginable, even turtles and fish.  It was the cliché version of China that most people think of, with red lanterns everywhere and small markets with very unique foods.
At night we walked around the main square in Shanghai where there were more lights and people everywhere!! It literally was a Disneyland for adults! Bars, restaurants, and shops in every direction. We went to a typical teahouse too, which was really interesting to see as well nothing what I expected though. I didn’t seen beggars in the city, I didn’t see trash, I hardly even saw a bug in the air. However, instantly outside I saw the homeless, and what seemed like a messy area was there homes and what they most deeply possessed, but to me it looked like junk. I believe I have experienced the saying one man’s trash is another one’s treasure. I was so ignorant to how people live in China.
The people are what make this trip alive. The people I have met truly transform this trip into a new experience.
February 17th
I did a planned trip through SAS with about a total of 100 people.  We first flew to the city of Xi’an, which is the ancient capital or eternal city of China. Once we arrived we went straight to an Art/ Calligraphy museum. We saw artwork and even learned how to do it! (I am defiantly an expert now and can teach everyone Chinese calligraphy so don’t worry. I know you all will ask. Ha)
For dinner we were having Dumplings. We wet to the main area of the town. Since it happens to be the Chinese New Year everything was extremely elaborate.  Lights on every building, people everywhere, and of course the little red lanterns. The coolest thing, which is kind of hard to explain, but they would light these red lanterns and let them go into the sky.  It was truly amazing in that area. Dinner was good too our Chinese food at home however is NOTHING like the food here, which is funny. ?
February 18th
We first went to the Xian City wall. It is the largest CITY wall in China.  I guess it is about 9 miles or so. It was once again all decorated for the New Year and was really pretty. It is amazing the details in al their buildings. The colors and everything are beautiful. From there we were able to overlook the whole city.  Then we went to a Great Mosque and Old Bazaar. Its amazing how old all these buildings most of them were built in 743 A.D. Yeah really old!! It was really beautiful.
Then we went to the Terra Cotta Warrior Museum. Honestly, one of the most impressive things I have seen yet. Literally thousands and thousands of soldier, 8,000, to be exact.   Every single one of them was different, and only 1/3 have been uncovered. It was really impressive. There were three different vaults and each of the soldiers were arranged in the typical battle formation in 11 columns. There were chariots, some had swords, spears. Also this is interesting each figure is about 5’10’ and I guess the Asians were taller then.  It was located on the outskirts near the mountain so it was beautiful area. After the warriors we went to an orphanage. The little kids are adorable!!! This orphanage was for kids who had parents yet were unable to raise them. For example, they were in prison, or abandoned them. It is extremely powerful to truly see the power smiling has on a kid. When all you have to communicate with them is showing your love its remarkable how your heart can be transformed.  At times I often felt out of place and uncomfortable, but all you truly need with people is show you care. OH MY then I went to the most amazing show!! It was a Tang Dynasty Dinner show. The music was incredible with instruments I had ever even seen before. The dancing was so gracefully and elegant. There customs were extremely elaborate. Honestly incredible. One thing about our hotel is in order to turn on the lights we had to put in our key into the wall so then when you took it out the lights went off automatically. Yeah talk about sustainability.  Although it is one of the most polluted cities I had ever seen. Funny.
February 19th
Today we flew to Beijing! Once we had arrived in Beijing we had the entire afternoon and evening to our selves.  I ended up walking around and seeing this huge temple that was surrounded by a garden. It was the temple where only the emperor was allowed. It was extremely large and everything was designed specifically for him. We literally walked around the city all day meeting people. In this trip I have never been stared at or pointed out by so many people. I have never in my life truly felt excluded from a society.  Many of my friends at times got kicked out of cabs for being American’s although I didn’t personally experience. I have never been asked to take so many pictures with them. Of course I loved to do it, however, when I stop and think about I have never been in a place where I truly didn’t belong at times. Beijing is completely the opposite of Shanghai.
February 20th
We first went to Tian’an men square.  It was HUGE!!! In can hold half a million people!! It was insane that the picture of Mao was still hanging… and they change it once a year and often clean it at least once a week. Across the street is the Forbidden (Imperial Palace) City.  There is more than 8,000 rooms and its all on 170 acres. Some of the prettiest architectures and structures I have ever seen. The amount of detail in each building and gate blew my mind. It just kept going on and on and we were only there for a few hours… probably hardy saw any of it. 
We took a tour of Hutong area on a Trishaw (3-wheeled bicycle). This area had hidden ally ways, narrow networks of houses that are quadrangular style. I had no idea of the style and condition that many Chinese live in. To me it seems as if it was poor and poverty, however this area is often for the middle class.  Once again, truly the rumble became beautiful. I think I am beginning to see a different side of what beautiful can be. The all seemed so happy with so little. There lives are lived very simple. We had lunch in one of the local homes. It was really nice on the inside. None of the house was connected, the living room, kitchen and bathroom, where all separate and you had to go outside to get to them.  There was one bathroom, which was the shower, sink, and toilet all in one with no difference between them.
In the afternoon we went to the Olympic Village and a Silk Factory. The bird’s nest was one of the most impressive buildings. The have transformed the inside to a winter park with sledding and games. Its sweet and huge!!  Then the silk factory was really interesting. I never realized how detailed making silk was they do most of it by hand!! Tonight we had a Beijing Duck dinner. Then at night we went to a small local bar. It was great we become good friends with the people who work there so one of my friends who is a DJ was playing all of our music. It was such a fun night!! I loved getting to know them and although at times it was difficult to communicate we found ways to understand each other.
February 21st 
Probably one the best day of my life…. So far!
We started the day at a Kongfu school. AWESOME! They did all their performances and then we got to try and they taught us a little. They are so impressive. They broke crazy stuff all over their bodies from wood on their chest to bowls with their fingers.
I have never been more excited in my life than to see a wall. I have seen many walls before in my day so I mean what’s the big deal with the Great Wall of China right?  Well after seeing it I have never truly in my life been speechless until then.  The most impressive thing I have ever seen in my life!!  It goes on for 4,000+ miles and was all hand made. Oh and we got to toboggan down it!!! SICK!!! SEROUSLY AMAZING! On it there are sketched names in Chinese obviously but they are of the workers who made it, and I guess they were forced to but it on because if anything were to happen to that section of the wall the government came and killed them. If you have not seen it you HAVE to before your life is over! Stunning and beautiful.  I got tears in my eyes. We happened to be on a section of the wall that did not happen to have a ton of people. I have never felt so alone and this one point. It was the quietest I have ever experienced. Truly peaceful and tranquil on of the best feelings ever.
At night we saw an acrobatic show!!!!!!!!! WOW is all I have to say…
Ok so I am getting tired of writing as much as your probably getting tired of reading this novel haha so I will keep Hong Kong to a minimum. 
February 22nd
Our flight left extremely early so we got to Hong Kong around 11 or so. We spent the day walking around Kowloon Island, which is across the river from Hong Kong. Our ship is in the best location it literally overlooks all of Hong Kong. At night we went to the top of Victoria peak to over look the city. The most impressive skylines. No joke I always thought our cities in the US were impressive… but nothing compares to that. We walked around for awhile and then went to this bar street and hung out there the rest of the night. It was a really great area.
February 23rd
Today we got up early since we were leaving China this afternoon. We went to a different island to see the biggest Buddha in Asia. The area was really pretty it was located on the top of a mountain with water surrounding it all.  We then went to see pink dolphins in a fishing village near by.  They were actually pink too. All the house on the village were on stilts with all their clothes hanging out on cloths lines. The mountains were right on the water. It was beautiful.
Well there is China for you, damn. In about a day in a half I arrive in Vietnam… and its already hot and humid on the water… haha what a weird transition that is soo fast!