Ok all,
As promised about a month ago, I have returned from China and am here to be awesome.
The link is here:
www.*****attack.shutterfly.comThe trip was awesome. I saw some incredible things there, ate some things I still cannot identify, and partied like a lord.
I stayed with my high school friend, she's been living there for about 4 years and is completely fluent. That made the whole trip so much easier. I went and saw the Great Wall, the Emperor's Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. I got worried a couple times, because it was apparent that we were being followed, but she reassured me that they were simply people from western China who had never seen a white person. They are very curious people.
I got sick after eating duck brain, and eyeball of something, but was back in touring condition within a day.
They pronounce China thusly: Zhong Hua.
I have no idea where we got China out of that.
I did not quit smoking, because they smoke like freight trains over there, and you can get actual Marlboro Lights for about $.80 a pack.
I went to a traditional Chinese opera, and had Peking Duck in Peking (Beijing).
I have begun the process of planning next years adventure. I'm thinking Amazon, or Outback.