family visits part 2.

After taking a little nap our next house was with Leo and his family. His mom is my favorite lady!! She's 31 and speaks English very well. Her English name is Caslin, and yes she gave herself that name. She also loves to learn more English so it was perfect for us! Some things were still hard to understand, but overall it was sooo fun!! His dad doesn't speak English very well, but he understands it better than he speaks it.

We started driving around the city of Quenzhou and she was chatting away! She asked us what we wanted for dinner (even though we both were still stuffed from lunch) so we told her we could eat whatever. We drove by a Pizza Hut and she asked if we liked pizza, we said yes, then she said, "okay we will go there for dinner then right now!" Uhhh it's only 4 in the afternoon but I guess they were ready for dinner! 

Before dinner we stopped at the super market to get some fruit and bread for breakfast this morning. Anything we said that looked good, or that we liked, Caslin would put into the cart and buy! It was the cutest thing because she wouldn't take no for an answer. So we had some good stuff to eat later:)

In China, Pizza Hut isn't like it is back home. It's a legit restaurant where you go and sit down, and they bring you menu's, and you order your pizza plus other things. So strange but it was delicious!! I miss eating pizza back home:( We all sat and talked while we ate for a few hours! Leo and his parents are adorable together. They aren't like your typical strict Chinese family. They were laughing, joking and having a grand time with us. I love them!

After dinner we went on a walk around another park in the city and fed some fish. It felt like the family walks we take back home in Utah. I miss those days. We then made the trek back to their place. At least, one of them.

We drive for a little while then pull up to this little village. After driving a little through it, Caslin tells us, "we have to stop at their first place but we will sleep at their other place." Uhhh how many homes do these people have?! She shows us around their first home and we meet her in laws and grandma. Cutest little 80 year old! We get some things then start walking down the street. 

We turn the corner to a building that is 7 stories, and next to another 3 story building. Caslin tells us they are both theirs. The 3 story building is what they rent out to people, and they live on the 4th floor of the 7 story building. Both of these places are theirs! They also have an apartment here in Julong next to the school that they only stay at once a week. Hahaha

So many homes!!! We arrive and she shows us around for a little bit. Caslin's best friend is renting the first 3 floors for a kindergarten. And apparently they don't stay at that house very often so they don't have to deal with all the noise of little kids.

We ate more food, talked and watched Caslin's favorite American television show; Friends!! We were so happy to be able to watch it. She told me that I reminded her of Phoebe because I am tall with blonde hair, and have a very outgoing personality like her. Not quite sure if I should take it as an insult because Phoebe can we realllll dumb too hahaha

Quick side note.. When you first enter their homes, you immediately take your shoes off and put these little sandals on. Apparently they all think I have midget feet because they give me the smallest pair!! 

We went to bed early because we were so tired and slept in until 8:30 (which isn't even sleeping in for me at all)!! She made us a cute traditional breakfast and I shoved my face full of bread. My favorite as always!!

After breakfast, Caslin showed us around the village, we met some of her family, saw some really nice homes, and just talked. Basically this entire time Leo is hanging out with his dad, and we were with Caslin!

For lunch we went to this steak house that was to die for!! So freaking good. They bring it out to you on a hot platter with a lid on it still. You have to open your napkin and hold it right in front of you. They then take off the lid and that steak is sizzling like crazy! That's what the napkin is for.. So you don't get any on you:) These people are so smart! Haha it really was such good steak and I wanted to die from being so full of goodness.

They then took us to the beach which was only about a half hour away. The weather was overcast but perfect and the water was amazing. We didn't get in, but it felt good to just stand in the water. I love and miss the beach!! I'll need to go ASAP once I get home. After the beach they showed us their 15th home here in Julong. Once again, super nice like everything else! Haha We then came back to the school and came home.

While saying goodbye Caslin gave me the biggest hug ever and wouldn't let go! She kept telling us that she now considers us family, and that we are little sisters to her. Best thing I've heard all weekend. She really is such a sweetheart and tells us she is coming to visit Utah someday. Hopefully it's true because I love that woman!

This weekend really was so fun because we got to know some of our students better and where they come from. Both Sam and Leo's families were so loving and it made me really home sick. I miss my family like crazy back home but I'll be seeing them in just over a month! (So weird). Anyways, one of my favorite things while here in China for sure.

loves.

family visits part 1.

Each semester the ILP teachers get to go and visit one of the families of our students that we teach. But lucky us, we got to spend an entire weekend with two different families!

Friday night we spent the night with cute little Sam. Gah, he is adorable!!!! So little and has the worlds cutest smile. His dad picked Abi and I up from the school with him and we were off!

We arrived at his apartment and holy crap it was nice! His family lives smack dab in the middle of Quenzhou. I'm not quite sure what his dad does, but they have lots and lots of money!! Their place was so nice I felt like I couldn't touch anything! Rather annoying.. Anyways! We got there right as dinner was finishing being cooked so perfect timing. It smelled a little fishy which is NOT my favorite thing. But it sucks for me because everybody here loves fish. Basically they would keep giving me a lot of food, and I would only eat some of it because it was mainly all fish. Bummer for sure!

Oh real fast.. His parents don't understand any English at all. Sam knows more than they do and he is 6 years old. So we had Nancy, his school teacher, come with us to be the interpretor. She is absolutely adorable and I love her!!

After dinner we went for a little walk around this lake and it was gorgeous!! Across the lake there was this pagoda that had white lights all around it, and it was perched up on this hill. So of course we asked if we could walk to the other side to see it. As we were walking around there was some kind of festival going on. Music, dancing, people selling things.. They also had this huge water show like in Las Vegas. We made it to the pagoda and it was beautiful! We hiked a billion stairs to get to the top, but we made it! Haha

After all the fun outside we got back to their home and they told us we had to be up by 6 the next morning. Bleh!!! I am not a morning person at all. They told us we were going to hike a mountain but we didn't know which one. Of course we went to bed early on the worlds hardest bed. The beds here are all hard as rock and it's awful! But this one was even worse. So clearly I didn't sleep at all.

6 a.m. rolls around and we are up ready to go! We start driving towards the exact same mountain we hiked last weekend with the crazy big statue. But instead of stopping at the bottom, we drove all the way to the top! We stopped to eat some breakfast and ohhhhhhh my goodness it was absolutely delicious! Best sweet/watery soup stuff I have had in the morning yet!! I wish there was a way to describe the goodness to you guys. 

After breakfast we started hiking down the mountain and came to a spot called Sky Lake. Breath taking. The cool morning air made it all that much better. We then made the hike down and it was the cutest thing ever; once we started walking, Sam ran up and grabbed my hand! He basically held my hand down the entire mountain and it melted my heart. Made me really homesick and I missed my nephews like crazy:( We had some fun singing and laughing on the way down and made it to the big Lao Tzu statue.

Some time went by of sitting and people watching then we went to a few museums. They talked a lot about the history of the culture, and about Taiwan. Sounds super boring but I enjoyed myself! Lunch time rolled around and we went to a Thai restaurant. And guess what... More seafood!! There were a lot of vegetables though that made up for it. For all of you who love curry.. Honestly the best curry I have ever tasted!! I was dying at how good it was! I was in seventh heaven for sure.

Random thought... Sooo basically everyone in China all drive super nice cars. Audi's, Range Rover's, Mercedes Jaguars.. Before we left I look over and saw this really nice Mercedes parked in a dark little place and there was this freaking nice white car next to it. As I walked up, it was like in a movie. All of those little lights turned on one by one. Yup, it was a Maserati. These people are nuts when it comes to their cars.

butts and bus doors.

Today we took a super last minute trip to Xiamen. Just three of us went because we needed some things from Walmart and that is our only close one. We had such a fun day! 

We went to Walmart, went to this cute little shop and bought awesome socks, went to lunch at this tiny little Chinese restaurant, had a McFlurry from McDonald's, and walked around. Oh, and we also found this gorgeous park with so many people hanging out there! I would go back to Xiamen just for that.

After spending a little time at the park we had to catch a bus to make it to the train station on time. Ohhhh boy it was nuts!! Every single bus was absolutely packed with people. We would attempt to get on one, but instead decided to wait. They have this road just for buses and they are constantly stopping and picking people up. We finally decided to get on the next bus.

Have you ever seen those YouTube videos where people are literally shoving others onto buses and trains? Like, that is their job. To shove others onto buses. Abi made it on the bus first and it was crazy packed. Clearly you'd think there was no room for Hannah and myself. Well, you thought wrong! Hannah tries pushing herself on and I follow behind. Out of nowhere this man starts shoving us both on the bus so the stupid doors would close! 

I was yelling at other people to move farther in so that we could all fit! Nobody listened and Abi was laughing hysterically. Hannah got slammed in the achilles by one door, and my body was in front of the other so it wouldn't budge. The man shoved me again and the door slammed itself on my butt as I was screaming. People outside behind me were laughing, people on the bus were laughing, and Abi was crying from laughing so hard at me. I honestly thought I wasn't gonna make it! I myself almost peed my pants from laughing so hard.

I wish I could have seen how ridiculous I looked being shoved in the bus, and getting my butt slammed in the door. That bus was the most crowded thing I have been on ever!! So worth it though for the funny memories.

loves.

Lao Tzu.

Whenever we drive to the train station we always pass this big sign with a picture of a cool stone statue on it! We have wanted to go but never knew how far away it was from us. We finally talked to Mr. Li and he said it was really close and we could get there in no time!

So today was the day to go visit this interesting statue! We had the school taxi guy drive us and it was unbelievable. We didn't realize that it was a national park. Or at least I didn't. I always thought it was just some random statue in a weird spot. But it was so pretty!!

If you don't know who Lao Tzu is, then go google him right now. It never occurred to me exactly who he was, but I was looking up quotes by him today, and they are really good!! After seeing the statue we hiked up the mountain and took different paths. That was something new and fun. The scenery was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, and the company was amazing. I love when I spend time with Emily, Hannah, and Abi. I absolutely love those girls.

the cow with a leash.

Each morning a few of us always wake up early to go eat breakfast (we eat every meal at the school cafeteria which is a 2 minute walk away). They serve different kinds of bread, and this water with rice soupy thing. Best breakfast ever!! We love it.

Well today it was just me and one other girl, Hannah, that went to breakfast. We ate our delicious meal and started walking up the street to our apartment. Out of nowhere this cow starts trotting down the road towards us (with it's leash on I might add). It was winding from one side of the road to another. We thought it was rather odd but didn't think much of it because the cows are always out to eat plants and stuff. It finally stopped winding back and forth and ended up coming at us straight on. 

We didn't know what to do so we kind of tried moving to the side and got behind this tree, but anywhere I'd go, it would go! Hannah thought it was hilarious! The cow finally lunged itself into a bunch of bushes next to the tree and I took off running. Hannah told me that it wasn't going to chase me and that she didn't want to run. Yeah her plan sucked. The cow started chasing both of us!!! We booked it so fast up the stairs and I ran into my apartment! I was laughing so hard because the cow was practically tripping over it's leash while chasing us! That does not happen very often. Good memories that's for sure:)

loves.

stupid spider.

Sooo I've never been afraid of spiders until I moved here. These ones are huge!! And just downright creepy looking.

The last 2 nights some of the girls in our group have been woken up at 3 in the morning because of big spiders in their room. These things are freaking fast too! So it's hard to catch them.

Last night I was laying in my bed and I was watching Netflix on my phone. I was laying on my side facing the wall when I see this little shadow moving across the wall. I didn't know what it was and didn't think it was from my movie. I looked again and thought oh it's just a spider. I flipped on my light and a huge spider darted across the wall and under my mattress!! I screamed bloody murder and ran into Emily's room. I woke the poor girl up but I had to get it out! Thank goodness it was only at 10:30 though. 

She follows me into my room and we move the mattress; nothing. We had no clue where it ran to! She just told me to not worry about it and go to sleep. GAH!!! There was no way I could do that. We both said a bunch of little prayers in our hearts, and I wrapped myself up like a mummy in all of my blankets, and went to bed.

The day went on and some of us were watching a movie at our apartment like always. I was going to shower so I went into my room to get all my stuff together and walked over to my window. I was about to close the drapes when something touched my finger. I look and it was the massive spider from the night before!! Once again I screamed bloody murder, Abi and Hannah saved the day! So freaking funny watching us get that thing, but I am grateful it's gone!!

loves.

more trains and train stations.

We finally made it to the car we had to stand in. There were people sitting in their seats, and standing in the aisles. It was sooo crowded!! I guess Asians don't care how crowded it gets, as long as they get their money they are happy.

I found a spot to stand next to a ton of old people, and this Italian guy. It was a 5 hour train ride. Bleh!!! You better believe I sat on that floor. My feet and body were killing from hiking and running! It was so disgusting and I had to get out of the aisle because people had to walk through and the carts with food needed to pass.

So freaking annoying and I'm pretty sure the Italian guy never wants to go to the United States because I was so crazy hyper and now he thinks all Americans are crazy:)

We made friends with some people who are actually English teachers up in Beijing. Praise the heavens because they helped us with a lot of things to get us to the next train station. Writing everything in Mandarin helps so much it's not even funny. After talking to the cutest people ever we got some more pics with them and played games. It was a long 5 hours but it was fun.

Long story short, we arrived in Changsha and needed to print our tickets for today. Abi stood in line for more than an hour, witnessed an almost out of control fight, and made it. 1:30 a.m and we had to find a taxi to take us to the other train station across town. We didn't want to spend the money to stay in a hostel so we slept at the train station. Yes, you heard me. I fell asleep on the floor (shocking, I know) then ended up in a little ball on the chairs. I slept like a baby too! We had to wake up at 6 and go through security since the train station wasn't even open. Now it's 7:30 and I'm pooped! May or may not pass out now. We've had long days and nights this trip.

loves.

sprinting like a lunatic.

Funniest moment ever happened last night. I still just start laughing because we looked like fools. I'll tell you why...

After dinner we all met up and headed towards the train station to print out the tickets. Abi had to stand in line forever because for some reason Jordy's ticket wouldn't come up and print. Even though we had paid for it over a week ago online.

As Abi and I were passing out tickets, we realized that we had 7 minutes to catch our train. Jordy still had no ticket. So we all start sprinting towards the stupid security line and find information desk guy to help. He started running and we were chasing him through a gate until he stopped, turned around, and walked us back to the information desk. He pulled out his translator and told us we missed the train. 

Out of nowhere this man walks up and speaks English really well.. He starts talking to like 4 information desk people and they tell us we have to go buy new tickets since we missed our train. This is all happening while Abi and Jordy are still trying to get her a ticket. (The ticket office is outside from where we all were and a little down the way.)

Once again, out of nowhere this lady walks up and tells us we have 10 minutes and she will get us on this train but we will just have standing tickets. I run to this little opening in a window and start screaming Abi's name. The lady told us we had to run, and Jordy didn't need a ticket. They start sprinting out of the ticket office and don't even go through security. Train station people are screaming in Chinese to tell the security to just let them through, as I'm trying to yell at Abi what's going on. 

By this point the train is supposed to leave in 5 minutes. Our interpreter guy tells us to follow this lady and to run!!! 8 girls with massive backpacks on, and some roller bags are sprinting by every single Asian and they are just staring. We sprint down this tunnel thing and round this corner. Stairs. After all the stairs that I had climbed the few days before there was no way my body was going to let me walk, let alone run up them. As we are sprinting like crazy up the stairs (yelling at each other to keep going) I can hear Chinese people telling us to hurry onto the train. Literally barely made it with 2 minutes to spare.

I was absolutely dying laughing because there was no way that all 8 of us just sprinted like lunatics through a freaking train station and caught the train!! People were giving us the weirdest looks as we were walking by to get to our, because they witnessed the crazy Americans almost missing a train that wasn't theirs! Good memories for sure though:)

loves.

tianmen mountain.

Holy poop!!! Today was crazy and breathtaking and just beautiful! We woke up at the butt crack of dawn (AKA 6 a.m) to get our day started. I hate how hotels make you check out at noon because we were going to be gone all freaking day!!

I packed up my bags and we put them in some random back room near the lobby. We made our way down an alley and bought the best bread I have ever eaten! And it was only $0.50:) 

Basically extremely long and stupid story short; after buying tickets, and waiting in line for over 3 hours, one of our girls lost her ticket. So our head teacher who is a SAINT stayed behind because nobody wanted to spend money and buy another ticket and wait in line. So freaking annoying!!

We took a cable car up the mountain. And when I say up the mountain, I literally mean straight up. If you're afraid of heights, you would have pooped your pants! It was so high up, and unbelievable. Like, oh my goodness pictures aren't even close to what it was like!

Twenty minutes later we finally made it to the top of the mountain! Woot woot!!! Can I just tell you the air was crystal clear and I could actually breath for once. We made it off the cable car and it was a tad bit nippy outside. Good thing I was smart and brought my sweatshirt unlike everyone else in my group and China. My friends were wearing shorts and tank tops, and the Asians were ready for prom, winter, or a fashion show. No matter what it's like outside, they dress to impress and wear heels. Hiking up the mountain yesterday, heels. Walking around a billion feet above the ground, heels.

We heard about about this glass walkway that was at the top so of course we had to do it! They made us put on these weird red cloth things over our shoes. No idea why, but we did! Haha As usual there was a veryyyy long line to get on the glass walkway and we met this lady Shelley. She spoke English very well so we stuck with her all day. 

The thrill of being on the sketchy walkway was so cool! Looking down, you know that if it broke you're screwed. No way of living. Some people were so nervous doing it and we were loving life! Emily started jumping on the glass and a bunch of Chinese women were freaking out hahah I wish it would have been a longer walkway but it was still cool.

Once we got off the glass walkway we turned a corner with a bunch of red fabric hanging all over from the trees. I didn't want to pay the money, but I guess you would write your dreams or wishes on them, and then tie them in the trees. They were stunning all just hanging up there!

So basically I'm a celebrity here. Tall, white, blonde, with blue eyes. Anytime we would stop to take pictures with each other, people would always have to stop and take pictures with us. It's gonna suck coming back home and not have people stare at you like a piece of meat:( haha

We walked around some more then made our way down the mountain because we had to make it for some food and had to catch our train. After saying goodbye to Shelley we just happened to run into her in this adorable Chinese restaurant. She helped us order because clearly we can't speak Chinese! She honestly is the sweetest person and bought my meal for me! Shelley wouldn't let me pay and was pushing me out the door so I couldn't give the Chinese lady my money. 

I love how everyone is so kind here and when they speak English they are willing to help you in a heartbeat!

loves.

zhangjiajie.

We arrived at the train station after traveling through the night. The man who owned the hotel peddled up on his little bike and was so excited to see us! Most people who say they are going to pick you up bring a car, but we had to walk behind him and his bike. Haha 

After checking in and getting settled, we set out to go to the Zhangjiajie National Park. We had to catch a bus and drive for a good hour or so. When we got on the bus it was very packed! Some lady and her kids were scooting over so we could sit down next to them. The little girl was so dang cute!! I wasn't going to squish the poor girl, so I picked her up and put her on my lap. She seriously was so dang cute!!!

Some of the girls made some friends with these people that spoke some English so we hung out with them all day. I was thinking we were just going to have a nice hike to the top, but it wasn't your normal hike. It was complete stairs! And weird rocky ones too. Soooo freaking hard. I better have nice legs by the end of this dang trip! 

There were these people throughout the trail that had these chairs and were carrying people up or down the trail if they couldn't do it! And they were old men carrying them. They are ripped  just like you dad;)

Along the way you could hear screams. I totally thought they were people screaming for joy because they made it to the top but, nope. They were wild monkeys!! When you look at them they're adorable, but they can be kinda vicious. My friend crouched down next to one, and it lunged forward at him with the most evil face. I was waiting for it to attack me so I sprinted by that thing.

Being at the top of the mountain was breathtaking. The mountains here are unlike anything else. I wish I could describe them but it's impossible for me. Haha They go straight up and have the coolest looking trees. We hung out at the top and took so many pictures with all the little Asians. I'm basically a celebrity here.

They seriously have the best fruit here!! I bought this massive kiwi and ate it in peace while breathing in the fresh mountain air. I am in love! The only place I've been able to breath on this vacation. So much smoke and smog everywhere. Bleh!

The rest of the night was really chill because we hiked down the mountain, and took the bus back. After, we got some din din, showered and I crashed. We've been going all day so I just crashed. I'm excited for what's to come!

PS! Have you seen the movie Avatar? In that movie they have the floating mountains, and these are the mountains they based that off of.

loves.

motorcycle taxi.

This morning was very chill because we had to be out of our hostel and catch a bus by 11. We sat on the rooftop of the hostel overlooking the Li River and then had some pancakes and fruit for breakfast. I love the fresh fruit here!!!!

We made it to the first bus station and nobody spoke English so it was a pain in the butt trying to figure out our next bus situation. Finally, we called Mr. Li and he had to talk to some lady and translate for us. He only told us that we had to figure out a way to get to the other train station on the other side of town.

Lo and behold there were a bunch of motorcycle taxis lined up next to us. Abi was wanting to take one of those because she says they are so fun and jumped on one. Some of the girls were skeptical at first and I didn't care because it looked fun to me!! 

It seriously was one of the funnest things ever!!! I was the only one on my motorcycle and we were zipping in and out of traffic. I felt more safe on that thing, than I do when we are riding in cars going through everything! Don't ask me why though. My phone was shoved under some bags that I was holding for other girls so I wasn't able to film anything. The other girls were getting pics left and right so I was able to get some of me on it. Best way to travel through China for sure!!

loves.

sleeper train.

After a crazy ride on the motorcycle taxis we made it to a nasty bus that made me car sick. Chinese people are crazy drivers anyways, but the roads are even worse! We made it to the train station and had a few hours to kill.

One of the coolest things was riding in a sleeper train! I always feel like a little kid while having these experiences. It's a normal train car, but filled with beds! There are 6 in an "aisle," stacked 3 high. So I was on the middle one, and they are not made to sit in. Only lay. Once we got onto the train we got all settled in and went to bed decently early because we were so tired from traveling.

I cannot live in China. Mainly because I'm too tall!! My feet were hanging off the bed on the train. So annoying! I did sleep like a baby though because I was drugged for this stupid cold/allergies I have, so no complaining there! 

loves.

motorcycle taxi.

This morning was very chill because we had to be out of our hostel and catch a bus by 11. We sat on the rooftop of the hostel overlooking the Li River and then had some pancakes and fruit for breakfast. I love the fresh fruit here!!!!

We made it to the first bus station and nobody spoke English so it was a pain in the butt trying to figure out our next bus situation. Finally, we called Mr. Li and he had to talk to some lady and translate for us. He only told us that we had to figure out a way to get to the other train station on the other side of town.

Lo and behold there were a bunch of motorcycle taxis lined up next to us. Abi was wanting to take one of those because she says they are so fun and jumped on one. Some of the girls were skeptical at first and I didn't care because it looked fun to me!! 

It seriously was one of the funnest things ever!!! I was the only one on my motorcycle and we were zipping in and out of traffic. I felt more safe on that thing, than I do when we are riding in cars going through everything! Don't ask me why though. My phone was shoved under some bags that I was holding for other girls so I wasn't able to film anything. The other girls were getting pics left and right so I was able to get some of me on it. Best way to travel through China for sure!!

sun rises and river runs.

Today honestly was unbelievable in so many ways!! I'll just have to start from the very beginning at 5:30 this morning to make sure I don't forget anything.

When my alarm went off at the butt crack of dawn I was tempted to tell them to just leave me and let me sleep in. So glad I didn't!! We left and it was pitch black outside. We only had directions that were written down and half of it was in Mandarin, so we were hoping to make it to the top for sunrise at 6:30. Holy poop it was so hard! Probably one of the hardest hikes I've ever done. And well worth it. 

You had to hike up these awkward stone stairs that were completely falling apart! They would wind up the mountain and I was waiting for one of them to break and fall. One of our girls wasn't feeling too hot so she told us to leave her behind. After about 40 minutes of a straight up hike we made it to the top! And it was GORGEOUS!!!! There were a bunch of Asian men taking photographs by the time we got there close to 6:30. Clearly they had been there a while before us!

You better believe I took a lot of pictures while up there! I was always have that view ingrained in my mind. Absolutely breathtaking. Either side you'd look down you could see the villages and people getting ready for the day by taking their boats out. The entire hike up there was this silence that I loved! I didn't feel like I was going to die like I have on some other hikes. It was well worth having no sleep and waking up at the butt crack of dawn. Also, it's kind of disgusting how much I sweat here, but who cares! I'll never see these people again haha I am in love with this place.

After our hike we came back down and went right to rafting down the Li River. Once again, breathtaking. We took a golf cart down to the river and these little old ladies were selling these flower headbands. Of course I had to buy one! They were so cute and made pictures even better. Haha We walked down to the water and 4 of us climbed onto each raft. It was only a 40 minute trip but, holy crap! These mountains are some if the coolest things I've ever seen. The way they rise and fall. All morning the sun was hidden behind some smog, and the mountains all looked shadowy. 

This place really is amazing! I would love to be able to come back someday. After floating the river and walked around and looked at the cute little shops they had everywhere. It's so funny when the old people want you to buy something from them. You almost can't say no just because they are so little and adorable!!

Today was a jam packed day! After this crazy morning we ate some brunch and hung out for maybe an hour. Then off again!! This time we went for a hike to a nunnery. Buuuuut there was no nunnery to be seen. We followed the directions exactly as they were, and ended up hiking FOREVER! It was cool because we went farther and farther; higher and higher up but all we could find were hidden villages, and orchards for miles. 

Tonight has been a lot more chill, thank the heavens! We got some dinner and ice cream, showered, relaxed, watched Up at the hostel, and bought some pizza at the hostel. It was baked in one of those fire oven things and it's probably some of my favorite pizza! You would never think you could find that good of pizza in China. 

Today was crazy full of adventures and I am pooped! So far it has been my favorite day in China. I wish my family and friends could be here with me to experience this!! Especially today I learned a lot of patience:) The rest of this weekend should be just as fun hopefully! I'm excited for more to come.

loves.

nicholas.

So this isn't about China, but I just need to let you all know! My little brother, Nick, he's my best friend. When we were little we would fight all the time and never really got along. We had a typical sibling relationship! 

As we got older we started getting closer. When I moved away to college we got a lot closer. Not sure why it wasn't until I moved out, but that's just how it was. When I would come home from Logan we would hang out and had fun! We would talk more and I'd be giving him girl advice because he was just in his first year of high school.

The years went on and we became closer and closer. His senior year was coming up and I had decided to move home for a bit to save money. As badly as I wanted to be in Logan, I knew I had to move home for more than just saving money.

It truly was a blessing in disguise. The mission age had changed, and he quickly decided he wanted to graduate early so he could get out on his mission. I kept telling him he was crazy!! Of course he wouldn't listen. I was able to make it to the majority of his games, even travel to Florida with the team.

That year he won Mr. Basketball, his team won the state AND national championships; it was the perfect time to be in Alpine with all that happening. We became closer. We would hang out and have late night chats. I would call him one of my best friends.

A month later he left for his mission. I was SO proud and excited for his new adventure in life. I knew he would grow so much spiritually. And he did.

Through that year and a half he was gone I wrote him every single week (Okay I probably missed like, one week). But he helped me see things more clearly and was always so upbeat about everything. If he was ever feeling down, he always would find the positive in any situation.

The night my parents told us kids that Nick would possibly be coming home from his mission was crazy. I was scared because of the circumstances, but also super happy to be able to see him. Especially before I left for China. It was a hard decision for him to make, and it knew the situation was serious if he was coming home from Germany. He loves that place and the people more than anything!!

He came home, we went to St. George as a family, then he had his surgery. It all happened so fast. For the two days he was in the hospital I hung out with him the entire time. Hospitals aren't the greatest places ever, but we had a lot of fun and bonded more.

In the last year and a half I have gotten a lot closer with my little brother and look up to him in so many ways! He honestly is a saint. He can go through any trial and have the biggest smile in the end. One of the first things he told me right off the plane was, "Annie, God is good." And it's true!! 

He really can make a difference in anyone's life, in any situation. He is someone that I will always be able to look up to for years to come. I am so proud of Nick and his choice of going back to Germany. I bawled my eyes out like a baby this morning when I had to say goodbye over FaceTime. He will only be gone for 6 more months and I am excited for what will happen to him in his last few months there.

I love you Nick and I will see you soon.

loves.

successful day.

Okay I've only been in Yangshuo for less than 24 hours and I'm in LOVE!! This place seriously is so gorgeous. I wish everyone could see what I witnessed today because it was amazing!!

After we arrived at our hostel we decided to just hang out for a little before adventuring out. That freakin sleeper bus took it out of me! We then decided to go on a little bike ride. Holy poop!!! I'm telling you, the scenery is amazing! The mountains are some of the coolest things I have ever seen! We didn't get back until 4 hours later and it was the best. I spent $3 to ride a bike for an entire day. This is why I love China so much! 

During our little/long ride we basically went off-roading and ventured super far out. Just me, Emily, Abi and Hannah. We 4 always stick together and always have the best time. We ended up trying to help these people with their car that went off the road and they wound up with a flat tire. We biked through a family or neighborhood party thingy. We saw so much today I still can't even comprehend it. The highlight of my day was when Abi practically killed herself twice. The first time being saved my some fruit tree after falling off her bike, and the second was when we were walking and she ate it HARD. And no I am not a bad friend! She was laughing hysterically too so it made it that much better:)

I haven't been here long, and this is already by far my favorite place in China. After riding bikes for a million kilometers we walked up and down the streets here. I love the atmosphere with all the cute little shops and people sitting outside selling their fresh garden vegetables. I wish we had these in the states! After walking for a long time we found cute little puppies and I think this old lady was pissed that they came out to play with us. Meh, oh well!!

Sooo you know those places that have little fish swimming around and they eat the dead skin off of your feet?! You better believe we tried that! It is the weirdest feeling ever and I almost died from laughing! I am so ticklish it's not even funny! When you looked closely it looked like the fish were just kissing my feet. GAH so cool!!! 

Wanna know what my new favorite thing to eat is? Cooked tomatoes, eggs, and rice. They serve it at the school but we found this cute little restaurant that also serves it!!! It was to die for! Abi got the same thing but she chose the homemade noodles instead. Which, by the way, the cut and cook right in front of you. I'm telling all of you, go cook some tomatoes, make scrambled eggs, and some white rice. It really is delicious!

The weather here isn't as hot and humid as Quenzhou so we love being outside even more! We walked around sooo much today and went to every little shop. I bought some super sweet things, but I'll have to post a picture of them sometime soon so you can see. 

Today really was such a good day!! We were constantly going and I now feel pooped. I was ready for bed at like 7. Haha I'm even more excited for tomorrow and what's to come!

loves.