Beijing was incredible! We took a quick trip there last weekend. It was definitely one of the coolest places I've ever been to. We crammed so much awesome stuff into only a day and a half. We spent more time traveling to Beijing than actually being in Beijing. It was crazy, but so worth it.
And so the adventure begins. It all started with a 21 hour train ride. Never again. I have to admit, it was pretty awful. The first few hours were pretty fun, eating lots of snacks, playing games, and entertaining all the chinese people, but when it was sleepy time, it was no fun. But we FINALLY made it there on Friday night and we were all sooo excited! And we were surprised by how cold it was there! 40 degrees! That's half of what the temp is in our town! I was pretty excited to wear a coat and scarf and be all bundled up though.
The cute little hostel we stayed at was down this alley right in the heart of Beijing, next to the lama temple.
The subway was sooo crowded! Okay, I have a funny story. We were in a hurry to get wherever we were going so we tried to cram into the train which was already completely packed. I got pushed out of the way by a little old man and I tried to push my way back through but I didn't make it in time. The doors closed just as I was about to step into the train! I looked through the window to see all the other girls staring back at me with worried faces. But alas, somehow the McDonalds bag that I was carrying got shut in the doors! I tried to pull it out, and one of the subway attendants tried but it just wouldn't budge. An old lady started screaming and waving a red flag and then the doors magically opened and I jumped in the train, clinging to my McChicken that saved the day =]
The frist night we went to an acrobat show! It was amazing! I probably said wow at least 73 times. This girl is flying through the air while holding some bowls on her foot. Is there anything that chinese people CAN'T do?!
Look very closely. Those girls are bent upside down and only holding on with their teeth. What?
Yeah, I can't even ride a bicycle. After this I think they had 10 people on a bike. Such talent.
5 motorcycles driving around in that little cage. That was intense. And I thought the two motorcycle guys in Vegas were awesome. Nope.
Night market! This place was really fun! They have tons of cool touristy souvenirs(which I didn't buy enough of) and lots of crazy food.
Fruit on a stick, coated with delicious hard sugary goodness! Those were the best strawberries ever.
Live scorpians on a stick! Anyone? I wish I could say I ate them but I'm not brave enough. 3 girls in our group had the guts to do it though! Ew.
11:11 on 11-11-11
Bright and early Saturday morning we headed to the GREAT WALL! We all crammed into a little van and hit the road! It was about a two hour drive there and I got a little bored while everyone else was napping.
This is our crazy driver and our ghetto van. Oh! I almost forgot! At one point during the drive, the little fold down seat that Mandy and I were sharing flew forward because the driver slammed on the breaks and we went flying too. I still have a bruise. It's crazy how no one even thinks of buckling up here.
Just playing some chinese chess at the Great Wall.
We rode a cable car to the top of the mountain...
hiked our way through watch towers...
climbed thousands of stairs...
then turned around to see this incredible view. It was absolutely breathtaking. The pictures don't even do it justice.
I'm on top of the world! It's so hard to even start to explain how I felt. Inspired, happy, free, in awe, blessed, adventurous, lucky. I can't explain it, the pictures don't show it. You just have to see it for yourself. Go!
Ah, my favorite part! There was a little dirt trail with a no trespassing sign, so of course we had to see where it went.
The wall was crumbling to pieces
And the little trail was overgrown with weeds. I bet you never pictured the Great Wall like this, huh?
The view was amazing.
My hair looks pretty excited too. Haha so this weekend we didn't have any plans for the first time in a long time! It was nice to sleep in a little bit and just chill. We took Freda, our coordinator, to our favorite noodle place for lunch. And then we took a taxi back and this is what happened to my hair. Freda thought it was so funny. Sometimes she acts just like a little kid, it's so cute. I love her.
Freda took us to an awesome park not too far from our town. It was beautiful! I love how it's so tropical here. 
Mango trees.
Poor little monkey. They had random animals in tiny metal cages without any plants or trees, just concrete and maybe a pile of lettuce. It was sad.
Freda told this bird "You are so handsome!" Haha she was so excited to see all the animals.
scary peacock
There was an abandoned sea lion show stage. Haha so random
paddle boats
Freda in a crazy little car
Mandy and Freda feeding the birds.
Oh, I love Freda, she's such a little kid. "It's eating my hand!" She was scared at first but she loved it.
I'm going to pee my pants. I've always been super scared of birds for some reason. But I faced my fear!!!
It tickles!
There's a bird on my head...not really
AHHHH!!! Hahah my faces in these pictures are awful. And Mandy always looks so happy haha.
Oh noes, we're going to die
Get out of my way Mandy!
I'm scared for my life and Mandy is as happy as can be
Hahah funniest picture. Ever.
Seriously, I never thought this would happen
Mandy is a crazy bird lady...
