Alex

I’m Chinese, and I’d never been to China before this past year. My parents wanted to take me to not only immerse myself in the Chinese culture but to visit the Olympics of 2008. It was an experience definitely worth remembering. I’d never been to a place before where so few people spoke English or where I didn’t speak the native language. Overall, though, I enjoyed visiting an entirely different place and seeing the different lifestyles of Chinese citizens. It made me realize the difference between being an American and Chinese citizen. If my ancestors hadn’t had the courage to start a new life in America, I could have been just another person wandering the streets of Beijing.

I would go back to Bora Bora any day. I’ve been to a lot of great places around the world, but this place really tops it off. I wish I would’ve savored the moment more. It’s heavenly.

Guatemalan locals recognize foreigners easily and don’t hesitate to sell small goods in markets. It’s easy to give into the young children constantly nagging you to buy what they’re selling. Most of the time, they offer ridiculous prices, knowing that you’ll most likely buy it anyway. Bargain ridiculously low in return; they’ll earn some form of money, regardless of the labor of work, in the end.