Author Archives: Rachel

A blog entry about unusual souvenirs from LandLopers inspired me to share my exotic treasures.  I can do without keychains, t-shirts, models of tourist sites such as Big Ben, Parthenon, or Eiffel Tower, and all the junk.  Although, I am not going to deny that I am the world’s biggest snow globe collector as I […]

In a history of photography course, I learned a very valuable quote by a photographer named, Robert Capa, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” I value this quote because because I relate to it not only as a photographer, but also as a traveler who truly wants to experience the culture […]

I’ve been pondering on what to write about my trip to Shanghai.  It’s hard for me to sum up my thoughts of the city.  It is certainly a very westernized city, but it has its own Chinese flair.  What amazed me about Shanghai and even in China as a whole, as I also encountered this […]

Venturing in a big city can be exciting and fun, especially seeing all the neon lights, but sometimes I need a break and enjoy the small town life.  Nestled in middle of a landscape of construction, there is a small town about 40 minutes by taxi from the city center of Shanghai call Zhujiajiao.  It is […]

Yu Yuan Garden is an ancient area in Shanghai, but it is very touristy as it is filled with shops catering to tourists.  If one wants to find souvenirs or Chinese crafts, this is the place to go!  I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Here are my custom-made clothes I picked up this morning! I will write details on the rest of the trip on the plane or when I get back to the States tomorrow.

If I ever want custom-made clothes done in the States, well, I can dream on until I die.  That will never happen unless I become super-rich.  That is not the case in China as an American.  My friend took me to a “tailor market” where we can pick fabrics out and have a custom-made dress, […]