The Global Period Taboo

The Global Period Taboo

While at first glance, it might seem like this post is only for women, but honestly I wrote this post for guys just as much as girls. There is a very large global misunderstanding about women’s periods and the issues women have to deal with around the world. Since many men make laws and voice […]

China Culture Shock #7: Getting Flashed in Taiwan

China Culture Shock #7: Getting Flashed in Taiwan

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, IT’S  CHINA CULTURE SHOCK!  Part of the reason I was interested in moving to China in the first place was to explore a culture completely different from my own. I wanted to experience “culture shock” and challenge myself. I’ve been living in China for over two years now, and I’m still constantly experiencing things that shock me, […]

Cooking in Chiang Mai WithLocals

Cooking in Chiang Mai WithLocals

So we all know how much I love food. While I’m always going on and on about all the amazing things I eat on my travels, the only thing I’m really great at cooking is spicy Chinese stirfry (that’s what happens when you live in the middle of nowhere and have two restaurants within walking […]

Aboriginal Taiwan: Visiting Orchid Island

Aboriginal Taiwan: Visiting Orchid Island

This summer while backpacking around Taiwan, I made a trip to Taiwan’s Orchid Island, otherwise known as Lanyu. Before the Chinese arrived, Taiwan was home to aboriginal locals, similar in ethnicity to those from the Philippines and Hawaii. After the Chinese conquest (and subsequent Japanese rule), much of the native culture has been lost. Fortunately, Orchid […]

How to Avoid the Crowds in China

How to Avoid the Crowds in China

China is a really, really, really crowded place. There, I said it. It’s crowded. Life in Crowded China With 1.3 billion people and counting, there’s a reason (however controversial) the One Child Policy is in place. China’s largest cities are called “mega-cities” with tens of millions of people. For example, Shanghai has over 20 million people. […]

The Temples of Tainan

The Temples of Tainan

Tainan, the oldest city and Taiwan’s ancient capital, is famous for more than just its amazing food. The thing that struck me most about Tainan was the sheer amount of beautiful temples. You can’t wander more than two or three blocks without running into one. Tainan’s temples are tucked into alleyways and crammed in-between shops. […]

Taipei’s Beitou Hot Springs

Taipei’s Beitou Hot Springs

When planning a trip to Taiwan, I knew I wanted to check out one of Taiwan’s famous hot springs. After days of hiking the Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains, my whole body was killing me. Thankfully, the Beitou Thermal Valley hot springs are accessible by subway from Taipei! The next hurdle was figuring out which of the many hot springs to […]