Beijing

Beijing. Where to even begin. Looking back at my trip, different images flash through my mind. Brilliantly red Spring Festival decorations crowning every door. The smell of delicious spices that I can't even name. My first experience with Sichuan peppers (imagine a sudden burst of citrus and your tongue going numb). The sound of a language so foreign to my ears that I found myself astounded that anyone could be fluent in it. The strange feeling that I was on a stage. All the time. It seems blue eyes make one an instant celebrity in Beijing. And a wonderful time spent with my sister and friends. I honestly have no clue how to write about all the different experiences I had in Beijing, so I've decided to let some of my pictures do the talking. Enjoy!

Tiananamen Square

Sausages and underwear

Lovely friends and the Temple of Heaven

The Great Wall

A ruined portion of the Great Wall. I think a different world awaits if you follow this.

I could have explored for hours.

The entrance to the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

Hutong market

Gate to the Hutong market

Monkeys. On a bike. In the hutong.

A peek into one of the hutong doorways

Beijing street snacks

Hutong doorway decorated for Spring Festival

One of my favorite activities in Beijing was reading store signs.

Vibrant color was everywhere.

Temple of Heaven at dusk

A hot bowl of noodles on the way to the Great Wall. I cannot express how much I miss the food.

My sister and I by the National Center for the Performing Arts

A beautiful view of Houhai Lake. Taken one morning on a solitary stroll through the hutongs.

Sugar-glazed fruit. So yummy!

Taken in a bathroom stall complete with squat toilet. Use your imagination.

On that note, have a lovely day!

'til next time.