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An anthology of moments from my travels. True, unfiltered, and raw experiences. Moments Gone South Korea, August 30, 11:45AM I have just ordered an iced coffee. I look around the cafe and realize I am the only customer. Taking advantage of this, I sit by an open window. The cafe is on the third floorContinue reading “Travel Anthology pt.1”

I have now wound my way to Jinan, the city in which I will be teaching semi-permanently. I was given access to my apartment and all its resources in full (and at no cost to me, I might add). However, a typhoon that decided to hit the city shortly after I arrived has rendered meContinue reading “The In-betweens”

My travels from Weifang to Shiqian were as follows: a taxi ride, a two-hour train ride, a 27-hour train ride, another taxi ride, a three-hour bus ride, a two-hour bus ride, and a partridge in a pear tree. Two non-stop days of traveling. No shower, no internet, no privacy. It was smelly, uncomfortable, and honestlyContinue reading “Shiqian: the happiest place where no one smiles.”

I have intentionally written very little about my experience as a teacher in Weifang up to this point. But the nine-day summer camp has come to an end and I have quite a lot to talk about. So get comfy, maybe grab a drink and some crackers, and get ready… It’s story time. From theContinue reading “Teaching in Weifang”

Weifang started like any other trip to a city in China: with a terrifying experience with random Chinese dudes stuffing me into their cars at the airport and silently driving me to where I need to go. In a way I should be thankful… these cigarette-saturated parking lot crawlers have always looked after me. Haha!Continue reading “On to Weifang”

Upon initial inspection, the Meimei Village, centered in the green, bountiful island of Hainan, China, is exactly what you’d expect from an underdeveloped, poverty-stricken community of farmers. Concrete roads that are permanently plastered with dirt, homes made out of crumbling brick and bamboo, chained up dogs that you can smell before you can see, andContinue reading “Thoughts and Observations on Village Life”

Monday whipped around the corner and hit me like a crashing wave. Fortunately for me- I’m a good swimmer. I got up at 6:30, ate breakfast, and began the 12 minute walk to the school. Julie, Ida, and I went the the first class we would be assisting in that day (grade 3) and beganContinue reading “Teaching in Haikou”

I awoke from my hotel in Shanghai. A very pleasant night’s sleep indeed. I showered, packed and headed downstairs, back towards the main lobby area. I was pointed in the direction of the breakfast buffet (a separate building across the alley way). An alley between the hotel and another building in Shanghai Ahhh my firstContinue reading “Haikou Day One”

My travels began as planned. I said goodbye to my wonderful parents and set off on my journey. I took a flight from Charlotte to Detroit to kick off my journey. Short, sweet, and uneventful. Now in theory, I should’ve had a 1 hour layover in Detroit and been on the next flight to ShanghaiContinue reading “First Day in China”

On July 5th I will get on a plane headed to China. I leave from Charlotte and fly to Chicago, then Shanghai, and finally Haikou. I will be spending my first week or so in Hainan, enjoying the beach and mountains while getting an ‘orientation’ about the culture. I will be spending the week withContinue reading “Simple Synopsis”