1. Uncle Joe is the effin MAN
Now here is a man that I can only hope to be like when I get older. Happy, healthy, lovable, and sending you off to China with some good ol' Italian Espresso shots in the morning! Wooee!!
2. Delays suck. No matter what part of the world you're in.
And it just so happened to happen several times before, during, and after China. Yay.
3. After taking a 15+ hour plane ride to Shanghai, then another 2+ hour trip to Chonqing, I believe time travel is possible. And exhausting. And uncomfortable.
...Bring a book. Or twelve. And travel light. And don't sit in between large people. Or near crying babies. You're welcome.
4. Sure, the flights' long. But China Eastern Airlines likes to keep you FED.
What is it that I'm eating? Who the hell cares? Anything to take my mind off the numbness in my legs and the crying babies! Seriously though, if you like Asian fare, you won't be disappointed. Meals were always fresh and satisfying.
5. When's the last time your airline taught you Tai Chi on an effin plane?
I also learned how to Hadouken (finally).
6. The weather was not our friend this go around.
This was me upon our arrival to Chongqing, where the sun was beating down on us, and my friend's families had finally settled the debate as to whose car we were travelling in. Sweaty & confused. And not in that good way. Wait, what?
7. Chongqing has some really interesting architecture IMHO.
Art museums, towers, bridges; all very familiar feeling yet, with it's own character. I can dig it.
8. Clubs over in Chongqing really try to outdo themselves.
Scantily clad women singing Lady Gaga? Some dude in a white fur coat singing Jason Derulo while a bunch of Chinese girls in nurses outfits do a dance number? Random girls coming up to me, taking selfies, and toasting? Thank God I'm not single anymore. I'll leave it at that :x
9. Chongqing's touristy shopping area felt like something straight out of an old Bruce Lee movie. I even almost bought nunchucks! That probably would've been a problem with customs though.
Narrow pathways, hidden alleys, and lots and lots of people around these here parts. Stuff is really inexpensive, our dollar is worth about 6 of theirs.
10. China Hearts the US.
11. And has very wtf-ish English translations.
Please enjoy which flight? This flight, of course! And never forget to drink best rich your taste, either. Words to live by.
12. Many toilets in Chongqing are state of the art. No seriously.
13. Not a huge fan of the hot pot, I won't lie.
So just what is hot pot, the spicy food that Chongqing is known for? Well, you can read up about it right here, I will just say that frozen duck blood cubes, cow intestine/gums, and mystery meatballs did all sound scrum-diddly-umptious, but I decided to pass.
14. Shanghai. Definitely want to go back to visit someday.
This was the place we spent the least amount of time in. The pictures show a much more Western influence and tourist-friendly atmosphere than Chongqing, so naturally as a big city guy I'd be more attracted to it.
15. Being a best man for your childhood friend's wedding is pretty friggin awesome.
This once in a lifetime experience wouldn't have been even a thought in my brain if he never asked me to be there for it. As we grow older, we realize that some of our strongest bonds are the ones we establish before we even know how important they are. Nothing but prayers of God's blessings for the both of you.
16. Shocking your girlfriend on the plane ride back with a proposal is also pretty friggin awesome.
Especially when you're jet-lagged! Before proposal on plane...
...and after.
I hope I was able to shed some light on the experience of travelling abroad for the first time. This is not something I would have ever imagined would be possible without the great people that God has placed in my life. To Albert, Shirley, Annie, Mom, Dad, Auntie, and my beautiful fiance Jen, this one's for you.
