Beijing, you’re fun, let’s go out sometime.

The next day, my friends Nikki, Darren, Mimi, and Andrew went out and explored Beijing before we had to take a bus to Tianjin. Is it weird to say that even though Beijing is very big, I felt very safe and comfortable walking around? Well, I did. First we went to McDonalds. Don’t judge me, it was all Darren’s idea! I just got a coffee! We went to this amazing high-quality chopstick store (I was too afraid to take pictures). We walked around, I bought a Mao cigarette case and a dress and Darren bought these beautiful silk paintings from a dude that claims he is the “Picasso of China”—not true, but he was still very talented. We sat down on a street and had Baozi—meat dumplings that were sooooo delicious. I just want to eat all the food here! I want to go see the Forbidden City. Luckily our hotel was super close, so we just walked literally two blocks and we were there. We saw the palace, which was HUGE. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to actually go into the palace, but we are definitely going back! Instead, we went to a garden, which was right by the palace and hung out there. It was beautiful and peaceful and a nice resting point. For some reason they had a section for Sweden where they had tulips, a windmill and wooden clogs. Don’t ask me why because the sign was in Chinese. After our excursion, we took a bus from the airport to Tianjin where we are studying at Nankai University. I’m so stoked you guys! Anyways, I’ll def keep you posted on what is yet to come! Cheers!

{i made a friend!}

{picture-ception}

{Forbidden Palace}

{Hobbit door}

{Nikki was born a panda}

{bamboo forest}

{this guy was taking a picture of me so i took a picture of him}

{Ni hao, Mao}

Love, Abby

XOXO