Since taking on the hobby of travel blogging, my life has been way more interesting. I've been exploring so many things! And of course I want this to be FUN for me and you! I want my experiences to inspire my readers to get out and do...if not the same thing I'm doing...then something more awesome and even better.
On Friday, my friends and I spent a night at the museum....no, the exhibits didn't come to life...but it was lively nonetheless (ha).
I swear I should have been born in New Orleans (close second after Brazil). I don't know much about the city but when I visit, I always feel at home. There's something about the culture and the people....its hard to explain.
I was recently nominated for a Liebster Award by Bieke de Clercq , a certified style and image coach from Belguim! Isn't that cool? The internet and blogger community makes the world so small. In her awesome blog, Lifestyletalks, she discusses fashion, food and travel...and of course, her cute Westie, Cesar. I totally dig her basic rules of fashion: Know yourself and simplicity. Plus, I love the goal of her blog....inspiration to discover...that translates to so many different things.
I had heard about and attended other car shows in the city but this is the legit show that happens every January and showcases all the awesome new cars from most major companies like Ford, Lincoln, Cadillac, etc. I'm partial to fine German engineered, luxury vehicles like Mercedes and BMW, but I still like to see what all the manufacturers have come up with as well. I wouldn't say I know everything about cars...but I can name a few if I see them and they're pretty to look at!
The Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing...completely frozen over in the winter time lol. I forgot to mention that it was about 16 degrees and the wind chill made it feel something like -10. Literally the coldest weather I've ever experienced in my whole life....and I was outside...sightseeing the whole time...enduring the hawk smacking me on my cheeks (hawk - a noun used to describe cold weather with a biting wind or bitter cold as if it were an inanimate object...more commonly used by people in areas like Chicago where it gets unbearably cold in the winter). By the end of the tour, my hands were so cold they had gone numb.
I'm literally about to inundate you with pictures of The Forbidden City in this post.
It's been a minute, so I can't recall the names of all the halls and gardens we stepped into but I'll do my best. Really, tho...you aren't as interested in all that as you are with the pictures. I know.
I love Broadway musicals. I was a TUTs season ticketholder for 2013-2014. I love Broadway musicals so much that I am willing to travel from Houston to NYC just to see a Broadway musical.
That morning, we left Beijing and drove 1.5 hours to the Badaling section of the wall. Research, and our guide Oscar, stated that this section is the best preserved and most popular amoung all the sections...its also the most visited by tourists (not that I'm upset about it b/c I got to see the Great Wall of China but I would have preferred going to a less visited area to get the realness of it all. They bring tourists here b/c it is accessible and has easier walking conditions with handrails on each side of the steep stairways).
People keep asking me, "What was your favorite part about visiting China?". There were so many highlights...I haven't actually decided yet.
But, I'll tell you my least favorite part....so. many. planes.
I previously wrote a post about my love for planes and in general, that has not changed. However, after the last two weeks, I will be happy if I don't see another Boeing 737 for a while
My favorites were the lists other people posted of things I should expect. It helped me to prepare myself for this new adventure, I've never been to any Asian country so I was a little nervous. Still, there was the culture shock. Even though I took note of all the tips, nothing really prepares you....you have to be there and see it for yourself.