Getting the Feeling for Beijing

48 hours ago I was penutbuttering a piece of toast at my own house. I was fighting with my mom and then I was getting in the car and we were headed for the airport. Thinking back, it feels as if that was a century ago.. A lot can happen in 48 hours. Your can read a lengthy novel. you can clean, throw a crazy party then clean again. In 48 hours you can learn to snowboard. or you can board a plane, fly halfway around the world and end up in a completely new, alien place.

12 and a half hours was the plane ride itself.. For me, there's something truely beautiful about these journeys. The feelings- the thoughts that run through my head. There's this anticipation that encirles the whole ride, either of an adventure thats about to begin or a ending to a wonderful trip and an excitement to be home again back to my shower, my own bed, and familiar faces that I've missed so much. On these long rides we take in the sky, reflection upon this life that we blow through all too fast is the subject of my thoughts. On this ride, I just stared at the sky for longest time wondering how anyone could believe that there is no higher power after seeing this beautiful world. I fell asleep after that, and woke up later to music turned too loud on my ipod. It was on shuffle and I heard songs that I wouldnt have picked for sake of my overplaying them in the past. But then again I love this music. With each song I know too well came a memory. 'Absolutely (story of a girl)' and I'm at the stevens pass lodge about to meet up with some friend, ready to hit the slopes. 'Hello Seattle' and me and kari and brigde are making some stupid youtube video. 'In my head' and we're in London and I'm running around our room in a towel telling erica i dropped my sock in the toilet. 'California Girls' and me and courtney are in the back of a car having a dance party and singing the lyrics all wrong. Memories engulfed me until I was back asleep. Later I woke up to have a jam session with Logan, my cousin whose sitting next to me. I thought it would be weird, having him on the trip but its not.. he fits right in and it feels normal..

After the plane ride we boarded a bus. Up til then I wasnt much excited for what was to come but the bus ride gave me a new energy, I was getting excited.. It's muggy here. The sky enveloped in an eternal smog. And it smells different but for the life of me I cant describe it - like cigarettes mixed with spice and that tropical smell... idunno. All I know is we're in a foreign place. Somewhere I havent ever been and most people will never go. AMAZING! everywhere there are symbols, a launguage artfully drawn. Everyone looks foreign, but then I remember that I'm the foreign one.

Our hostel is adorable. Its not much but the people are nice. Backpackers are always hanging out. We have a whole dorm to ourselves. Four sets of bunk beds and bathroom with a toilet that doesnt flush so well. But it's clean, no complaints over here.

The hostels not 10 minutes walk away from the center of Beijing. Today we were all up early and wandered in. The center is Tienaman Squre right across from the Forbidden City. It was cool being there especially cause of the poster i have of my room; of the protester in front of the tank. I mean that happened right here and now we were there! We were just looking around when all the sudden this little chinese boy came and asked for our picture. Sure! said Logan and ten minutes later we were posing with all these different chinese people. Weird... dont ask me... I guess people are as interested in us as we are in them.. Us americans are a sight to behold.

After that we wandered through the forbidden city and past ornate temples. Were planning to go back tomorrow. Everyone was far to jetlag today to appreciate how beautiful things are. After sitting on the stairs for too long we decided to walk the streets. That was fun. We ate so many dumplings and potstickers I'm gonna be sick of them til im 20. Having said that- they were delish. We stopped for cokes and beer at this little tiny resturant. It was this experience that absolutlely made my day. Our waitress was the sweetest girl and we got out our guidebook and had her help us say all these little chinese phrases. Things like - 'sorry', and 'bathroom' and 'i dont understand' and 'what is to be done?!'. She'd say it. We'd say it. We'd all be crack up and then we'd repeat the process. I love people.

Anyway. its about 10 pm here now and I've been on the computer far too long. Logan, Liam and my Dad are out getting beef kabab (at lease we think its beef it could be dog) and everyone else is crashed. I think imma go to sleep too. Back in the states you are all just waking up..From me, half way across the world: good morning to you, make the most of this day i've already lived. I'll see you soon on our spinning world:)