Tianjin and Beijing Travels

I have been way too busy here!!

Let's see, on Tuesday our group went around the city of Tianjin on a bus tour. It was really interesting because we were able to see parts of the city that we've yet to actually walk to. Then we took a boat tour along the river. I saw a man on the side of the river pooping, not cool. But fortunately, from this I came up with the idea for our team research project: bathroom etiquette and differences compared to America. So at least something good came out of it.

For the rest of the week we had classes as usual. We finally got our really difficult reading comprehension book changed and I absolutely love it now! I feel like I'll actually be able to learn the language and not just sit and class blankly staring anymore. Which speaking of class, the teachers speak in Chinese the entire time!! It's extremely difficult but it's definitely improving my listening. Now if only I could get these tones down, I would be golden. We have a lot of reading to do for our culture class, but so far I feel like I've been able to stay on top of things.

Thursday night a group of us from Miami went to "Italian Style Town". It's just a little area that has a ton of Italian restaurants and a few bars. It's really cute. I finally was able to have non-Chinese food. I got spaghetti of course and it was amazing! Plus, we were able to have wine with our dinner which just made my night. :D

On Friday we got up at 5am and headed on the bus to Beijing. Let me just say that seeing some of these buildings and those traditional Chinese buildings is fascinating. It's amazing to see these things and I still can't believe that I am in China. Our first stop in Beijing was the Ming Tombs. It was pretty interesting to see the area, but honestly I wasn't too impressed by the Tombs. I felt like we did a lot of walking without too much explanation of what we were looking at. Then we had lunch and headed to the GREAT WALL OF CHINA!!! Let me tell you, pictures do not do justice to this place. It's amazing how big and long the wall is. And I climbed all the way to the top!!! I was the first girl from our group that made it. I felt like I was going to die. It was so hard to breathe because the air is so thick and hot and humid. I'm pretty sure the temperature has been very high 90's. Friday night we went out to this strip of restaurants and bars again. It was really pretty because it was around a lake. It reminded me of San Antonio, Texas when Alex and I were down there in January. It was absolutely beautiful. We've been watching a lot of the World Cup as well. I don't follow it too well, however.

Then on Saturday we woke up really early again and went to Tienanmen Square, the Forbidden City, and then the summer palace. It was amazing to see the sights and things that you see in books. Nothing can compare to seeing it live though. This was probably the hottest day since I've been in China. I'm not sure if it was the sun beating down on us for so long, but I literally felt drenched in sweat allllll day!! I don't think I've ever felt more gross in my entire life.

Then Saturday night our group was supposed to head back to Tianjin, but about fifteen of us got a hostel and stayed in Beijing an extra night. We went to a restaurant with this beef and noodle soup and dumplings and then we got coconut milk and mango/honeydew melon for dessert. It was the most delicious Chinese food I've had thus far!! That night we all went out again to check out the area. I think the best part is just being able to walk around and see the city and all the different shops and such that you don't get to see on the tour. We took the super train back to Tianjin this morning and it only took 25 minutes to get back (it originally took us 2.5 hours by bus). It was really nice!!

Then for the rest of today I've been studying and walking around some more. I feel like time is going by so quickly and I'll be home before I know it. Mom & Dad, I'll be wanting McDonalds that first night I'm home!! So come to the airport prepared :D haha

We fly to Xian this Thursday and will be there until late Saturday night. So once again I won't have internet during that time. If anyone has Skype, please feel free to find me and we can talk! I think I miss Americans...well, mainly my friends and family back home.

I'll post pictures soon so stay tuned :D