My Big Adventure Begins Soon



I have never actually been out of the US before, never had a passport in my life, and next month  I will be traveling to China to see Rachel!

I’m a combination of being excited nervous and a little freaked out, yet at the same time I wish I could leave today. I really miss her, and I don’t want to wait any longer than I have to to see her…I would go all that way just to have a hug from her, I miss them more than anything!

I’m curious how my body will handle a flight over the ocean and jet lag, but I also expect I’ll be so geared up that I won’t notice much. I’ve also been learning about things I wouldn’t normally have to consider, like carrying your own toilet paper, and whether or not a shopkeeper will try to gouge me on a price simply because I’m western.

The timing of the trip will be excellent, though, and I will be there for the Chinese New Year as well as Valentines Day.  I’m glad we can spend those days together and make some wonderful memories. Hopefully the weather will be decent, as we have some matching outfits planned, and I’m looking forward to being out with her dressed alike.

I’m also looking forward to meeting her parents, though it will be an interesting experience, as they don’t speak English, and most of what little Chinese I can speak would not be that useful. I’m sure they will want to know a lot about me, and Rachel will probably get tired of translating.

I’ve never been in a situation where nearly everyone around me doesn’t share the same language, or be able to read signs and such. I know some things will have translations, but to what extent is unknown. Fortunately in a larger city, I won’t be as much of a curiosity to the locals than if I was in a more rural area.

I miss Rachel so much and she has wanted me to take this trip for a very long time. I’m thrilled that I can actually do it. I wouldn’t be making the trip if it wasn’t for her. After so much time on the phone with her and over skype, I will finally be able to share the places that I’ve only heard about and seen video clips of, so many of the things I am excited about seeing, like the subway, places she goes to lunch when she’s at work,  would seem dull to most people, but for me they are important landmarks in our relationship!

This trip will be an important chapter not only in our relationship, but also in my life, and something I’ll always cherish and remember.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *