Ni Hao!

Greetings from Beijing!!! It has been almost a week since I arrived and I have to say the adjustment has been a bit of a struggle. I have never been to China, let alone an anywhere in Asia so the term "Culture Shock," has a whole new meaning for me. But as I head into week two I have high hopes for the next few weeks before I make the journey home. Nonetheless, I have already had some amazing experiences here that I would like to share:

THE GREAT WALL

 Yes I have already been to the Great wall and although the pollution and Smog was terrible it was still breathtaking, (in both metaphorical and literal senses)

 Knowing that I'm not in the best shape I've ever been, I rode the cable car up with some new friends! I stand by my choice, especially since I took the stairs back down.

 It is October and the leaves are starting to turn along with the cooler temperatures. 

 This is my Chinese Buddy Victoria! She is studying to become a Chinese teacher for non-native speakers. Her english is great and se has been very helpful in my interaction with the language and Culture.

I was very excited to be at one of the most iconic places in the world.

 I also visited the 2008 Olympic Park! 

 The Water Cube !

 The Bird's Nest

As suggested by one of my peers who has been to Beijing before, we visited at night when everything was lit up.

Some Badass Ladies.

So there's a glimpse! Today I also went to Tienanmen square and the forbidden city. but Ill share those photos later. Bisous from Beijing xoxo

مرحبا بكم في المغرب!

I'm in Africa! specifically, Morocco. even more specifically, Meknès, although we did spend sometime in Casablanca and Rabat. Here are some photos from this amazing but way too short week so far:

delcious unexpected airplane food. royal air moroc is very nice. 

View of the Beach from Casablanca. 

lunch by the atlantic.

This is The Grand Mosque one of the largest mosques in the world. It was unbelievable.

We then went to one of the few churches in Morocco with beautiful stain glass.

This is the first Medina we visited in casablanca which was very cool. if you like olives and carpets. which I do.

Then in Rabat we visited old Roman/Islamic ruins, Chellah, with ancient burial sites and sacred spaces. 

There were also beautiful gardens. 

There are so many cats. everywhere. must resist petting.

This is a mosque from the Medina in Meknès. All of the mosques we have visited have been incredible.

A shot from the Medina. The sky is so blue here.

An old Islamic school in the Medina.

The view from the roof. It's a whole other world on the rooftops. 

We visited a shop with some of the classic artisan products from the area including needle point work, metal work, and rugs/carpets.

We had a fabulous lunch over looking the main square.

Me posing in the Islamic school. Also searching for enlightenment. I love morocco and I can't wait to come back. Insha Allah.

Bisous from Morocco xoxo I can't believe I will be in China next week. Wish me Luck!

!وداعا