In my opinion, one of the top reasons Westerners are reluctant to travel to China is fear of the language barrier. The elaborate Chinese characters are awfully intimidating and the challenge of speaking and being understood might seem insurmountable. While I failed in my attempt to master the language, I did learn enough Mandarin to survive […]
Destinations
How to Quickly Comprehend Chinese While in China
Today I am pleased to bring you a guest post from the fabulous Agness of eTramping.com. How many times have you heard that Chinese is impossible to comprehend as it is the most complicated language in the world? Yes, that’s true – Chinese is considered to be one of the most difficult and challenging languages on […]
Apple Picking in Northern Virginia
Growing up in the countryside, I never appreciated the graceful curves of mountains outside my backdoor, the endless trees that nature set ablaze each fall, or the remarkable freshness of the air. But after two years breathing the pollution that emanates from Shanghai’s prolific factories and cars, I was eager to immerse myself in the great outdoors. […]
The National Arboretum and Bonsai Garden
The U.S. National Arboretum is a sprawling 446 acre park maintained by the Department of Agriculture. Its main purpose is to increase the value of plants through research and conservation. But with 9.5 miles of pathways winding through fields and forests, the arboretum is also one of Washington DC’s best hiking spots. Grab a map […]
A Guided Tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Home
George Washington is a beloved figure in U.S. history. As general of the Continental army, he led the American colonies to success in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain. This win was followed with his election as the first president of the newly formed United States of America in 1789. When not busy helping to […]