You haven't really experienced Asia until you've experienced a squat toilet, or a squattie pottie. It's about as glamorous as it sounds! The ceramic toilet bowl [if you're lucky] is embedded in the floor, and you literally squat over it to do your business. It's definitely not what I'm used to, and I could probably… Continue reading The Upside of Squatting
Category: China
Where Whiter is Better
Although I'm from Florida, I'm not really tan. I'm actually quite white. I blame my Scandinavian roots. But living in the Sunshine State, I'm smackdab in the center of the Church of Sunbathing. In America, the more tan you are, the more beautiful you are. We pay hundreds for tanning beds & tanning creams. We… Continue reading Where Whiter is Better
Not Suitable for Grammar Girls
So, we've been in China a month now, and I've discovered so much greatness about this country. Delicious food, breathtaking nature, amazing architecture, and incredible history. However, one thing China lacks is adequate English translation. I've met some great English speakers, so it's quite baffling how poorly signs are being translated to English. I guess… Continue reading Not Suitable for Grammar Girls
New New Year
As an American, I'm used to celebrating the New Year on December 31st. However in China, December 31st came and went without a notice. But January 30th, however, was quite the holiday. China still operates on the Lunar Calendar, which means their new year begins at a different time each year. This year, the Year… Continue reading New New Year
Leaving the City Behind
We finally had the chance to get out of the city limits, and explore a bit of village life in China. We traveled in traditional sleeper bus style, and I've never been so thankful for my sleeping bag liner in all my life. I couldn't even estimate when those blankets & pillows were last washed!… Continue reading Leaving the City Behind
One Great Wall
Traveled to the Great Wall recently, just outside of Beijing. What an amazing sight. I was in awe of the architecture of the place. To think about how long it has stood, and what it took to get there is just amazing. China has been that way for me. So much history with so many… Continue reading One Great Wall
A Small Woman’s Legacy
In preparing for my trip to China, I wanted to read as much as I could about this nation. I wanted to read biographies and fictional tales. One of my favorite biographies that I read was about Gladys Aylward, a British Christian missionary to China who helped end the tragic foot-binding of women, and became… Continue reading A Small Woman’s Legacy
Where Did I Leave My Heels?
Out and about in Beijing has been quite enjoyable. What a busy, bustling city! We’ve seen the sights…the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. I’m captivated by new sights, new smells and new tastes. And of course, as a female traveler, I’m always curious by the fashion in new cities. And Beijing has… Continue reading Where Did I Leave My Heels?
A Hard Night’s Sleep
The trip here was quite a journey! An early morning flight out of Orlando to Chicago, followed by a delayed flight which resulted in a missed connection to Beijing. Stuck in Chicago with no hopes to make it to Beijing today, we scrambled to get a new flight. Thankfully, an hour later, we were rebooked… Continue reading A Hard Night’s Sleep
An American Mom in Asia 