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China was not at all what I expected. Admittedly, I let TV and movies mold my vision to a strict, conservative nation that loathes the United States. From the moment I set foot on China soil I expected soldiers, guns, dogs and a collection of unfriendly bag searches (hopefully stopping at the bags). But it [...]

Day nine was another travel day. From Beijing back to Shanghai. Nothing really too eventful this day. Hotel brunch, packed, back on board an Air China flight and headed out to The Bund area for a little more shopping. Dinner that night was one more round at Din Tai Fung. Headed home to pack, our [...]

Our last real touristy day in China. Our last full day with “Bill” who I’m not sure liked us or not. Part of me thinks he enjoyed the fact that he had a semi-intelligent (I’m the curve killer there) and independent group, but I’m not sure if he thought we really cared because we were [...]

My 2000 Honda Accord crossed the 100,000 mile marker today. In related news: For Sale. 2000 Honda Accord. 100k miles. Good condition.

Cold. The sun never came out on day seven. The high temperature never cracked forty-five degrees and the wind would cut across the open areas we’d visit. That might as well be freezing to the thin-blood, poorly packed, California residents. Another early start. “Bill” was in our lobby, looking for his tourist-ducklings. First stop of [...]

A morning flight took us out of Shanghai and into Beijing. To know me is to know that I can passionately discuss the great flaws in airport security. How it’s organized, how it’s managed, how it’s certainly not helped by the masses. Airport security in America is reactionary, and taken as seriously as mall security. [...]

By day five, my obsession with the 2010 World Expo’s mascot Haibao had reached an annoying frenzy. He’s plastered every where in the city and I began uncontrollably yelling out every time I saw him. That rascally toothpaste glob. All over Shanghai it seemed that if there was an open store space, then it was [...]

Maybe it’s that America is still a very new country compared to the epic histories of Europe and Asia, but I feel like the rest of the world is not a community that disposes of their history like America does. Somewhere through the history of China they have done a great job of preserving temples [...]

Day three brought the rains and chill to the air. We would quickly learn that the pre-travel weather forecasts would betray our packing logic. Heavier coats and knit caps would have done wonders. Unfortunately, the only style of knit hat in the Shanghai area appeared to have been created in the image of a panda [...]

I’m not sure if the slight burning in my throat is from the layer of smog coating the city, or the hot sweet pork soup from the lunch dumplings. Early in the morning, I would have my language-barrier-battle. I needed a shirt and suit pressed for a charity event, and braved into a small dry [...]