People Tell the Story: China
The people of China seem to be an interesting breed and the cities and countryside paint vastly different pictures. While the pace and personality of people in the big cities resembled some major US cities, there are still some major cultural differences. It was not uncommon to see children almost trampled during a rush while waiting in various lines. Spitting and burping in public are not seen as dirty habits. And personal space can be a pipe dream. Countrysiders, however, brought us back to earth with their friendliness and humility.
Exotic Eats: China
Growing up, my family used to have Chinese food almost every Sunday. We went to our favorite spot in Columbus, Ohio, Hunan Lion, and we would almost always order the same things: Chicken and Green Beans, Sesame Chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Mongolian Beef, Lo Mein Noodles, and two Egg Rolls for my Dad. I was eager to see how these family favorites compared to authentic Chinese cuisine. I was elated to learn that, while the “real thing” is completely different than what Americans think of as Chinese food, it is actually better, fresher, more unique, and more varied. Mike and I absolutely loved Chinese cuisine and were sorry that we only had 10 days to enjoy it.
Read MoreOur Chinese Escape to Yangshuo
While mapping out our 10-day trip to China, we already knew a few things: we were flying into Beijing, departing from Hong Kong and really wanted to see Shanghai as well as some traditional Chinese countryside in between. All of this in such a short amount of time seemed extremely daunting. Since neither of us had much Chinese geographical knowledge outside of a few major cities, we knew that finding the right rural escape would require some research.
Read MoreRacing Through China’s Cities
Our last stop in Asia before heading home for our first break in travel was China, so large geographically that you could combine all of the other Southeast Asian countries and it wouldn’t even touch the landmass of China. We only had 10 short days to see this gigantic country so we strategized to see the highlights and experience both cities and countryside. I have to admit that I liked the countryside better (nicer people and more beautiful). But the cities seem to really showcase who the country is today: a splash of tradition and ancient sites with an emphasis on the new and modern. We started in the capital of Beijing, spent 48 hours in the flashy modern city of Shanghai, and ended in the chaotic, but thriving Hong Kong (who, just for the record, I am still not even sure that it actually is even considered China even after several Google searches).
Read MoreGiving Back
A huge part of our journey is about giving back. While the personal travel is sure to dazzle, we are confident that it will be the volunteer experiences that will show us the most about the world and touch our souls. Read more...