Crazy, Charming, Cheap China
April 1, 2012- April 7, 2012
As always, my time in China passed by so quickly and I will be in my last port of Japan in only 2 more days. The entire voyage has flown by, with the random days that do drag. I will be back in the U.S. in 25 days and although I am so very excited to be HOME, I have also began to plan ways to keep myself busy for the summer- classes, check! Job, check! Home renovations, check! Saving up for next summer, check! Anyways, until all that fun stuff begins I must tell you about my many amazing experiences in China!
China was by far my favorite country; we will see how Japan adds up! I have to explain myself though. I loved Brazil and South Africa, but that was because they were so beautiful, westernized and comfortable for me. China was so very different than this. I love China because it is so different than home, yet so similar. It is difficult to explain, but once I tell you about my travels I think you will understand.
The first day was spent in Hong Kong travelling with 2 of my closest friends- Paige and Liz. We met up with Paige’s friend who happened to be studying abroad there so her and 2 other students took us to some local spots for Dim Sum and then to shop for the cheapest bargains at the Ladies Market. Random note, it is going to be extremely difficult to not be able to bargain my way to cheap buys in the U.S. I don’t think Target will go for only paying 1/10 of the asking price, like these foreign markets. After spending more money then I probably should on random “necessities” such as a tea set, we took the Peak Tram to watch the sunset/amazing lights of the city skyline. It was breathtaking and really makes you realize just how small you are compared to such a big, crowded city.
The next 3 days were spent with a group of 47 SASers with a tour group called Global Citizens. We went to Beijing to see such sights as Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Gardens, the Forbidden City, Drum Tower and then finally traveled to Jinshanling to hike the Great Wall of China. The wall After hiking the wall we slept at the bottom of the wall in tents, bundled all together, in hopes that the cheap wine the tour company provided would keep us warm, it didn’t by the way. Although this part of my trip was the historical aspect, it was probably my least favorite. I loved just being in the city much more! None the less, I am so glad I got to do these things (hello bucket list) but if I ever return to China, and I really hope I do, I would like to spend more time in the city. Part of the reason I may have not liked this part was because 1. I was in a large group 2. It was freezing 3. In a large group you have to do what everyone else wants to do…guess I’m a little self centered with what I want to spend my few days in port doing.
At the end of my Global Citizens trip we met the ship which was now docked in Shanghai. Shanghai was a lot like Hong Kong- massive, lots of bright lights, skyscrapers everywhere, and some of the best food I have ever eaten! My last 2 days in China were spent exploring Shanghai. I went to Pearl City, shopping on Nan Jang Ling Road, to the Contemporary Art Museum, to dinner on the Bund Waterfront, and went out with friends to a pub that even had a South Carolina license plate on the wall! What a small, small world!
As I mentioned earlier, the food all over China was amazing, my favorite of any country! Dim Sum, dumplings, Taiwanese cuisine, Pho, Peking duck, stir fry, spring rolls, rice upon rice… the options are immense. And even though there was many times that I had no idea what I was ordering or eating, I am so glad I tried it all and enjoyed every bite of it. Also, as in most other countries I ordered vegetarian, you can never go wrong there, and I still got to try everyone else’s meat dishes. Like many other experiences during my travels this semester, I learned yet another reason to always keep a clear and open mind about people, cultures, and yes even food. It always pays off and how else can you learn about yourself and the things you enjoy if you never get out of your comfort zone? If you’re reading this you should follow my recommendation and try a new Asian dish – a Dim Sum restaurant, a bowl of Asian dumplings, or even Vietnamese Pho – I know it won’t necessarily be as authentic as my Chinese dishes, but you’ll never know if you don’t try it!
Sorry my experiences in China were pretty brief, but you all get the gist. I ate way to much food, travelled across a large country, explored new places with new friends, and yes I gave in and bought lots of fake stuff for super cheap at the markets! See you all soon XOXO
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