Wordless Wednesday: The Mekong Delta (Vietnam)

I've been holding onto these for awhile because I've been lazy. But, as I travel back to American soil, YOU can enjoy the views from my lovely little oasis along the Mekong river at a little family-owned "resort" called the Mekong Lodge. Honestly, it was made more for couples and families rather than a solo late-twenties traveler, but it was a way better experience than taking a day tour or being at a big hotel.

Great memories.

On Believing in Yourself

This story goes back a few years to when I went to Israel on Birthright with Israel Outdoors.  Unlike most people, I did not have a life-changing Israel experience. I don't know if I'd even classify it as a great experience. I actually left feeling less confident in myself and felt so alienated from Judaism that I didn't re-join the Jewish community until last spring. This is not something that I often share because there were several causes for it and I don't think it's necessarily a productive conversation, but I definitely had a tough time.

One of the real sticking points of my trip was the sunrise climb up Masada. We left at something like 5 in the morning to be on the top of the mountain for the sunrise. I was on a hiking trip, which I was assurred was not very tough, and this hike in particular was "very easy." Well, not to me it wasn't.  I wasn't in the best shape and I was wearing the wrong shoes. I didn't make it for the sunrise, and I caused two others {the ones who had to wait with me} to miss it also. Although one of them was trying to reassure me, her words of, "well, I guess we're gonna miss it," just made it so much worse. After that experience, I swore I would never go hiking again.

{Sunrise NOT from the top of Masada}

Clearly, I didn't stick to that, but all summer I've been self-conscious of being the "slow one." I'm a slow-and-steady hiker at the best of times, and I was very nervous that if I went on a sunrise hike, we just wouldn't make it, and it would be my fault. But, as I did some hiking, I noticed that I wasn't really holding anyone back, that I was more fit and we always made it to where we said we were going. I also realized that I am NOT the person that I was 5 years ago, and that I had changed not only in my abilities, but also because I no longer allow people to make me feel inferior.

{Yoga near the Matterhorn}

 So, one morning, a friend and I hiked to the top of a mountain for the sunrise. It was a glorious, clear day, and the mountains were simply breathtaking.

{Looking towards Niesen}

{Lohner, Nunnihorn and Wildstrubel at sunrise}

In honor of believing in myself and conquering fears, I greeted the sunrise.

Don't let your past determine your future.

Switzerland: The Beginning

Hello everyone, from Switzerland! For those who don't know, I'm here volunteering with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts {WAGGGS} at Our Chalet. Sometimes I get to lead hikes, and sometimes I clean bathrooms, but it's been so very rewarding. I'm working on several posts to document my adventures around Switzerland {and later Europe} but here are some pictures to tide you over:

Cambodia: Angkor Wat

Back in October I planned a trip to Angkor Wat. I was originally undecided between there and Yunnan {a beautiful area in southern China}, and was persuaded to go by a few friends. I had to cancel that trip so that I could fly home and see my Nana. I absolutely made the right choice at that time, but I knew it was important to her that I still travel and see everything. So, when I made plans for Spring Festival this year, Cambodia was my very first stop. Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that extends 400 km {squared} and includes temples, villages, schools, dams, and a whole lot else.

Y'all I was blown away. As you'll see over my next few posts, Angkor is stunning. The idea that what was built so long ago {the 9th century!} is still here and still so relatively well preserved is astounding. And humbling.

The pictures below are of Angkor Wat, probably the most famous of all the temples in Angkor. It was originally built as a Hindu temple and gradually changed to Buddhist as the religious make-up of the Khmer empire changed. You can read about the history  and architecture of Angkor Wat here {yes, I did just link to Wikipedia}.

What "wonders of the world" have you seen?

Hong Kong: Big Buddha

Since I get to go to Hong Kong a lot, I try and space out my tourist-y visits over the course of each time I go. Sometimes I go to buy Western clothes or food, and sometimes, I just need a break from the mainland. But, one time in December, I went to see Big Buddha.

Y'all. He was so cool. You have to take a cable car called Ngong Ping 360 to get to Ngong Ping village and then walk from there and you have the option of a glass bottomed cable car {highly recommend}. It's a cute little touristy "town" with all kinds of things to buy (including Starbucks and Subway) and it's about a 5-10 minute walk to Buddha.

There is also a monastery nearby that will sell you lunch.

Enjoy!

Guangzhou

In my excitement to post about places like Hong Kong and Qingyuan, I've been remiss in not telling you about the city I live in. Guangzhou is a big, bustling city that reminds me a lot of Houston. It has the same weather, the same types of sprawl, and is serious about it's ice {hallelujah, ice water is not a weird thing here}.

On the other hand, it's crowded. So many people everywhere, all the time. I went to my favorite hot pot restaurant on a Sunday night at 9pm. 2 hour wait. WHAT?! Who are all these people and why aren't they in bed?

Seriously though, this city has a lot to offer. It's the unique position of sharing a border with "the West." During the Boxer Rebellion and Cultural Revolution, many people escaped through Canton {Guangzhou/Guandong} to Hong Kong. Many people here speak at least 3 languages: Mandarin, Cantonese and English. The local food is what you might expect if you've only ever had Americanized Chinese food: sweet and sour pork or chicken, steamed vegetables, dumplings, egg drop soup, etc. I personally prefer 北京菜 or 四川菜 {Beijing or Sichuan food} but it's fun to have super easily available dim sum that is also reliably delicious.

One of the most iconic structures in GZ is the Canton TV Tower. It lights up like a rainbow at night, and can be seen almost anywhere in the city. I happen to live very close to it and the city center, so there is a lot for me to see an do.

Enjoy some pictures of my city. Despite how big it is, there are plenty of scenic spots, parks, and pagodas!

{The Guangzhou Tower viewed from a busy market}

{Pearl River New Town on a blue sky day}

{Chigang Pagoda. I see this everyday when I bike to work}.

What do you love about where you live?

Hong Kong

One of the reasons I chose to re-locate to Guangzhou is because of the proximity to both Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries. I'll get to see parts of the world which were difficult for me to see when I was in Tianjin.

I'll be honest: I'm not really a fan of Guangzhou. It's bigger and busier than Tianjin and I feel like I have NO personal space. Despite my loathing of big and busy cities {and I moved to China? I know}, Hong Kong is one of my very favorite places. The character just oozes out of every building there. It truly is east meets west, and I think, what most westerners first picture when they think of "what China is."

I went for the first time with my friend Olivia, from Tianjin. It was wonderful. Western manners, lots of English, and Chinese food. I had a fantastic time and have already been back several times.

Some highlights from my first three trips: Victoria Peak {gorgeous}, Disneyland, a ropes course, the JCC, and shopping. Lots of shopping. Y'all, I can't get enough of this place.

What are your favorite places?

Qingdao: The Brewery

Since I have come to China, I have come to really appreciate beer. The third-spaces for expats tend to be pubs {I've been hanging out with Brits and Irishmen too much!} and beer is usually fairly cheap and readily available. And, believe it or not, there are a fair amount of local breweries around, especially in cities with a large foreign/cosmopolitan influence.

One of the first cities to have an independent brewery was Qingdao {yes, Tsingtao}. Tsingtao hasn't been a a little independent German brewery in a long time, but I was very interested in going to see it and the city of Qingdao herself. The Olympic Sailing competition was held there in 2008, and I'd heard many good things about how nice the city is. So, I treated myself to a weekend away for my 28th birthday!

Qingdao is all about it's beer. You can buy cheap, "raw" {unfiltered} beer in little baggies from kegs that come straight from the production floor. I decided to take a tour first, and then wander around and find some lunch. I'm glad I went. There was a lot of historical information about the history of the brewery {it was owned and operated by Asahi during the Japanese occupation for example, and didn't start mass production and export until the 90's} and you got two free samples of beer from the factory.

This is a fountain in the outside courtyard of the museum. Reception, the museum itself, and parts of the old and new facilities are located in different buildings.

One of the old machines. I don't remember what it did, but it looked cool. And, that manequin guy was creepily life-like.

Another view from outside. Who doesn't like inflatable beer cans on their roof?

The wall of beer from all over the world. I looked valiantly for anything that looked "local" like Shiner, or Buffalo Bayou or St. Arnolds. Nada. Sad face.

Qingdao is also famous for it's spicy clams, so after I was done with my tour, I treated myself to a beer and a plate of them. The weather was warm and breezy, the beer was cool {ish...China is a bit spotty about cold beverages} and the clams were delicious. It was a good day. Have you been on any tours lately?

Shanghai: The Bund

One of the most famous things about Shanghai is The Bund and the view you get of the skyline from the promenade. I didn't spend a lot of time here, but the time I did spend was pretty memorable and full of photo opportunities.

My first full day in Shanghai I went in the evening after wandering over from People's Park and Nanjing Lu. In China, there is always a crowd, but I saw a massive one and decided to follow it. It was a nice sight to walk to, and I got some wonderful pictures of some of the old European buildings as well as the new skyline on the opposite side of the river. 

After taking in this gorgeous display and generally enjoying being near the river, I met up with some friends and went to the {almost} top of the building that looks like a bottle opener. Friends, I am not scared of heights, but I got a little woozy when I got out of the elevator at the 100th floor. No pictures of that {sorry!) due to a dead phone, but just look at the skyline: it's not even the tallest building!

And, of course, I'm including a few daytime pictures {as always, ignore the flyaway hair, hmm?}.