On Wednesday afternoon, I flew to Shanghai to meet my mom and sister. I was so excited, like more than a kid on christmas. When I got off the plane and saw them, I legit started crying. I think the words that came out of my mouth were "I hate China" which totally isn't true and I'm not sure why I said it. As I recall it was a really rough flight. Anyway!
We went to our hotel and just slept we were all so tired. The next day we got up and walked around the bund! It's an amazing place. On one side of the river, it's all older Shanghai (like 40's 50's old not ancient China old) and the other they built to symbolize the future and it is full of sky scrapers, and amazing architecture.
Then we went under the river through this weird tourist thing called the psychadelic tunnel. It was about 2 minutes of crazy lights and we were probably all brainwashed.
It was weird.
Then we walked around the other side of the river only to get on a bus that took us back to where we started. So we got on a ferry and went back over the river. Then we found out that the Science and Technology museum (the place with the best shopping) was indeed on the other side of the river. We took the metro there and shopped our hearts out. This place was full of the greatest knock off, cheap stuff that defines China. I was in heaven when we found the Kate Spade bags.
Then we went to our hotel, dropped off our many shopping bags, and headed to the French Concession. It's kind of like China-town only French. We ate dinner and tried walking around but someone was a little exhausted from her first day abroad.
Never go to this restaurant because a bottle of water cost 7 american dollars. Not to mention its only a half water bottle.
Friday we went to the Wildlife Reserve and it was amazing...ly crowded like never travel anywhere on the national holiday. It was fun regardless!!
Yes that is a baby tiger. We then ate street food and walked around the Yu garden area.
Saturday morning we walked around a place called People's Park. It was absolutely gorgeous. The funny this about it is that parents will advertise their single children for marriage on these umbrellas... and there are hundreds of them.
A cute box that let you put suggestions it in.
THE MONA LISA!!!
Just another asian friend
I love my momma and am so thankful she made the trip to China.
There is no such thing as "restroom" here. Its toilet.
How we try to act in public.
.
How we end up acting in public
The place where parents advertise their children. I'm pretty sure my mother was looking for me.
Weird asian statues.
No words ^
Asian apple store!! And also a Gap in the background.
We Hopped on a bullet train and spent the rest of the day in Nanjing where I live.
Early Sunday morning we headed to Beijing! We got there in the afternoon, found pedicures for cheap, and relaxed in the hotel. That night we went to the night market.
Its casual to just walk around with a dozen sticks of squid ya??
People like to hand me their babies.
She's super self conscious about her hat.
More babies!!
And the answer is yes, we ate the scorpion.
Monday we shopped at another cheap market and went to see the acrobat show at night. In my mother's own words, "It was amaze-balls!"
The Chinese are literally insane.
Tuesday was THE GREAT WALL.
We rode this ultra sketchy gondola type thing up, but the view was amazing.
Alison and all her glamour.
Have I mentioned how much I love her?
Casually eating apples on the Great Wall.
Funny thing about this picture. The cute men dressed in their fancy costumes convinced us to take a picture with them. After that, they insisted we pay them 120 yuan (20 bucks) for the photo! The Chinese... ripping foreigners off since the world began. Also, we took a toboggan down. Imagine the alpine slides, only faster and straight down a mountain with the view of the great wall, COOL RIGHT?
We then headed to the summer palace. Its basically this huge land that the emperor built to get away from his starving people.
We all tried this nasty apple stuff covered in carmel and they were soggy and I guess that basically sums up Chinese food.
Then we played dress up and all the asians gathered round to watch the funny americans.
Love them more than life.
Back story: I hadn't stretched in a really long time and my jeans were tight and there were just all these factors that went against be sitting in some freaky yoga position.
But hey I did it.
So this guy asked to take a picture with me. They do it to me all the time here, my mom thinks I must look like a super star, but its probably just my blue eyes. Anyway, he started a trend.
Wednesday we went shopping and walked around Tainanmen's Square and the Olympic park, better known as the Bird's Nest.
Can't go anywhere without a selfie right?
Thursday we hit the Forbidden City, which was incredible.
My mom is obsessed with their brooms here. I would bring one home if I could!
The Forbidden city is amazing. It may just look like one big building, but there are tons behind it and if you get and english tour guide, they can explain everything to you!
CAUTION:THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MAY BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
^So we found a halloween store hahahaha.
This is our new friend Elvis who helped us out in the wallet department. "But Lady! This is soft leather! I like you you so I give you good deal, but you hard bargin."
Just another selfie.
Friday I departed from the girls back to Nanjing. It was honestly the best trip ever. From exploring China to eating Domino's pizza in the hotel bed to Britin having to use kid chopsticks to the endless amount of McDonald's and Starbucks runs, I am so grateful they came to visit!! Next stop, Paris?? (please mom)
-Taylor Janae
