August 31, 2008
Madness!

Madness!

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Beautiful Lake Michigan.

Beautiful Lake Michigan.

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Aboard the Staten Island Ferry with Manhattan in the background.

Aboard the Staten Island Ferry with Manhattan in the background.

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Taking a break atop Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Brilliant view. Incredibly hot day.

Taking a break atop Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Brilliant view. Incredibly hot day.

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The Chrysler Building was one of my favourites. And the amount and prominence of national flags hanging from buildings and homes in the US was truly impressive.

The Chrysler Building was one of my favourites. And the amount and prominence of national flags hanging from buildings and homes in the US was truly impressive.

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The flags outside the United Nations. One of my favourite places.

The flags outside the United Nations. One of my favourite places.

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Columbus Circle. I really liked the yellow traffic lights in the US.

Columbus Circle. I really liked the yellow traffic lights in the US.

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Times Square!

Times Square!

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Another really nice photo from Lauren taken at her and Monika’s birthday party. It was such a fun night watching everyone on the mechanical bull and doing my best American accent to order drinks. Great memories of NYC!

Another really nice photo from Lauren taken at her and Monika’s birthday party. It was such a fun night watching everyone on the mechanical bull and doing my best American accent to order drinks. Great memories of NYC!

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Lauren took this great photo of me firing off some rounds at the shooting range. I wasn’t quite the American gangster, but it was so much fun!

Lauren took this great photo of me firing off some rounds at the shooting range. I wasn’t quite the American gangster, but it was so much fun!

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July 25, 2008

The USA

In Detroit now visiting Ron and Janine, it’s been fun here with a little bit of relaxing and some adventure too. Yesterday we went on an epic 600 mile drive up to see Lake Michigan which was spectacular. Thank you both so much!

I spent last week in New York staying with Lauren and her roomate Monika. I’m going back tomorrow to spend my last few days there too. It is hard to describe New York, but I love being there, and feeling the pulse of the city when you step out on the street is amazing. And Lauren has been so great showing me around, I feel like I’ve gotten to know the real NYC.

An update on photos - unfortunately my little laptop hasn’t quite lasted the journey so I’ve been a bit lazy about posting photos. I promise to get my act together and put some up when I get home - which will be next week!

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July 14, 2008

Tokyo

Tokyo has been a blast. In the few days I’ve been here I’ve learned much more about Japan and have loved experiencing the Japanese culture first hand.

I love Japan for its efficiency and convenience - even the taxi doors open automatically. Tokyo is very clean and orderly and even though there are so many people here, no matter what you do or where you need to go, it is all done without fuss - so different to Beijing!

I’m leaving for NYC tomorrow morning. It’s going to be an almost 24 hour journey which is a first for me so that should be interesting. I can’t wait to arrive and see Lauren, I’m so excited!

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July 13, 2008
With Yoshimi, my Japanese classmate from Beijing, being cool in one of Tokyo’s many arcades! She is home for a few weeks before going back for another semester so we got to hang out which was really fun.

With Yoshimi, my Japanese classmate from Beijing, being cool in one of Tokyo’s many arcades! She is home for a few weeks before going back for another semester so we got to hang out which was really fun.

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July 12, 2008
Hello Kitties!

Hello Kitties!

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This pond in Ueno is totally covered in water lilies at the moment. It was beautiful standing there in the breeze in the middle of this giant city.

This pond in Ueno is totally covered in water lilies at the moment. It was beautiful standing there in the breeze in the middle of this giant city.

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