You would think that living in China while learning Chinese means I get a lot of practice. In some ways I do (and I certainly could never learn the language if I didn’t live here) but in many ways, it doesn’t help at all. Technically every minute outside I could
The Most Convenience Stores = The Most Convenient Place?
Taiwan has a dubious honor: being the place with the highest density of 7-11’s in the world, and the probable winner of the place with the most convenience stores in the world. (I don’t want to get all controversial and say the “country” with the most convenience stores but you
Get Your Drool On–The Amazing Street Food of Taiwan
I have a lot to say about Taiwan but I have to get the most important thing out of the way first: food. Taiwan is known as one of the food capitals of Asia, second only to Singapore. It was the one thing almost everyone mentioned when I said I
Want a Picasso? Special Price Just for You!
Ever wanted an oil painting of your dog? Or one of Dumbledore? Or some traditional calligraphy written by a master? How about a hand painted Vermeer? You can get all of that, and much, much more at the Da Fen Oil Painting Village in Shenzhen, China. Covering several blocks in
The Closest I'll Ever Get to Going to the Star Wars Cantina
It’s been called the The Ghetto at the Center of the World, the Unofficial African Quarter of Hong Kong and has been compared to the Star Wars Cantina where rough characters from all corners of the globe converge in an uneasy alliance. I called it home sweet home for 3
A Walk Through Hong Kong's Outdoor Markets
One of the best things to do, when you go to a new place, is put on your walking shoes and go. There is no better way to learn about a place, and see unique sights, then by walking. One day I stepped out of the subway and started walking.
Bad China Day
I know I’m pretty positive about living in China and for the most part I really do love it. But there is a thing that every foreigners has to deal with, and it’s called a Bad China Day. It’s a day that starts off normal enough, but one thing sets
Global Times or The Onion?
On the airplane I was given a copy of China’s Global Times to read. Within minutes I was giggling in my seat like a crazy person due to the total hilarity of the articles. About half of them easily would have worked in any Onion. These are some of the
I'm Ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-ack!
Hello everyone. It’s been a little more than a month since I was last here. I’m worn out, broke and have a cold, but I still have a wide smile on my face because of all the fun I’ve had this holiday. Shenzhen and Hong Kong I started in Shenzhen,
Year of the Snake, Bye Bye Dragon!
Happy year of the snake! Today marks the first day of the Chinese New Year, the biggest and craziest holiday in China. I’m spending time in my best friends small village (pics to come) and I’m probably being driven crazy by non-stop fireworks but nothing can keep the smile off