SakanaFace

so my journey to taishan was …unforgettable. while i was living it, i HATED it , but looking back it’s a good memory just because of how crazy it was. the trek up there was intense. sooo many stairs, and soo many people. you are mobbed by crowds and vendors the entire way up. once you reach the top of what seems like a million steep slipperty steps there are hotels and restaraunts and things. i got up there at night, so we had to stay over night. the hotels were RIDICULOUSLY priced, so we rented a little one man pop up tent instead. the wind was intense and there was so much fog.we fit our party of 7 people in a little 2 man tent, haha we were freezing the whole night. you can also buy/rent big thick army jackets up there and those probably saved our lives. we probably only slept for 2 minutes the whole nght. we woke up with everyone else around 3 to get a good spot to see the sunrise, but because of the thick fog, we didn’t see a thing. really disapointing. but the experience was…unforgettable. lol. and i become really good friends with those i went with! haha.

china is for the open minded, and rather sturdy traveler! get out of your comfort zone! learn chinese! eat food from street vendors! it’s really all worth it. the people here in teh shandong province are amazingly sweet, kind, and helpful. i’ve had complete strangers help me in a amazing ways! I love china and it’s people!

it’s funny, everyone in dublin actually hates the spire. it’s a big joke to them. i loved ireland, it’s beautiful, but i actauly liked the outlying small towns BETTER than dublin.

i was only there for 2 days, i want to go back! the brief glimpse i got was so fantastic. this city certainly is alive!

the united kingdom is one of my most favourite places i’ve visited so far. the country side is beautifu! the culture is fantastic. I love the people in Ireland the most, ecspecially in the outlying towns. go ahead, strike up a conversation with a stranger, it’s definalty worth it!!

france is wonderful. i loved it so much. from the history, culture, art, and food, and people, it is definatly worth it! i loved the castles MUCH more than the ones i’ve seen in england. try visiting the Loir Valley, it’s gorgeous. cathedrals are also worth it, i liked Chartres, and Notre Dame of course (actually , there are many “notre dame’s” it means “our lady”. Eat lots of ice cream, bring LOTS of bottled water!

I just got back from a 10 month home stay in japan, tokyo and chiba. I recommend the following:

GO TO SHRINES! if you see a place to wash your hands, do so. throw money into the wooden box, clap twice, bow and pray.

GO TO “KAITENZUSHI”
when in Harajuku, TAKE PURIKURA!
Eat “OKONAMIYAKI” it is delicouse!
take off shoes WHENEVER there is a lifted interance and tatami (straw looking) floors.

Try to learn at least a little japanese

be polite

bow

don’t hug people, they don’t like it…lol

if you have any other questions, just ask!