Elizabeth's Native Shores
Always ask "why not" and let your experiences re-define you. Nativeshores
Hello readers :)
I'm Elizabeth, a soon to be 26 year old American student in China. I've lived abroad before for almost four years (in Germany) and traveled extensively in Europe during that time.
After about three years back in the States, I'm happy to have returned to the international community and to have the chance to explore another part of the world.
While I started this blog as a way to keep my friends and family (now scattered around the world) apprised of my travels and experiences, I have been delighted to find some strangers are reading as well. I welcome questions, comments, and concerns from anyone planning trips to areas I've visited or who might just be curious about the places.
World travel is my passion, and I love to share information, ideas, and experiences about it. I get asked most frequently about solo-female-traveler concerns, and I am happy to share what I know and experienced to help keep my fellow 'SFTs' (along with everyone else) informed and prepared.
Generally, speaking, I've found a little preparation and common sense, along with open-mindedness, goes a long way. And people will often surprise you ;)
Travel Blog Posts
An afternoon at the movies? Film class trip to the Beijing film museum
Published: July 1st 2010Asia » China » Beijing
July 22nd 2010
So this morning was uneventful, being a normal day of Chinese class, however, this afternoon we got to take a class field trip (the first of several to come). My Contemporary China Through Film class met in the dorm lobby after lunch and took a bus to the Beijing Film Museum. I feel like an awful student, but I really don't even know the name of the place... it could be A Beijing film museum, or THE Beijing film museum... We don't get to keep our tickets when the program is paying the tab, as they serve as receipts. It wasn't anything too spectacular, but it was a nice break from the classroom (our professor was unavailable this week, so my Chinese teacher took us). We felt a little rushed by the guide we had, but ... read more
The Old Summer Palace: what lillies remain
Published: July 1st 2010Asia » China » Beijing » Summer Palace
July 1st 2010
Yesterday my China Foreign Policy class took a tour to the Old Summer Palace, which is just a few bus stops West of our campus. It was quite an afternoon, both relaxing, beautiful, somber, and saddening. For those of you who don't know the history, I should probably start there. In 1860, the second Opium War was going and some envoys were sent to see a prince under the flag of truce to negotiate. Things didn't go so well and the British, Indian, and French soldiers and the envoys were captured by the Chinese and held for a little while. During this time they were tortured and several of them were brutally killed. When the Brits got them back, they were so appalled, they decided to destroy the Summer Palace. They posted signs in Chinese to ... read more
Zhu Ni Sheng Ri Kuai Le: My birthday in Beijing
Published: June 24th 2010Asia » China » Beijing » Wudaokou
June 24th 2010
So... today is my birthday and I have spent it all in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Everyone in the program (Alliance for Global Education @ BLCU) has a Chinese test tomorrow, and thus is studying tonight, so we decided to go out last night. I was surprised at the turn-out, as almost 20 out of 26 or so students showed up. I was originally thinking of going for all-you-can-eat and drink sushi, as we celebrated many a birthday at such places in Shanghai, where everyone gets plenty of food and their fill of beer, sake, and plum wine for under 200yuan ($30). However, turned out the US and England games were both Wednesday night (World Cup Soccer for those of you who don't keep up) and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get a ... read more
A Walk in the Parks: One afternoon with my local friend and guide
Published: June 16th 2010Asia » China » Beijing
June 16th 2010
Yesterday was a good day. I met my friend I had made on-line while studying in Shanghai earlier this week, and we really hit it off. Hanging out with him is the experience I wish I could have had with more locals in Shanghai, as our conversations are educational, and give me an opportunity for real cultural exchange and a chance to practice my Chinese, as we'll use as much Chinese as my level allows, but can easily switch to English when my vocabulary is insufficient for the subject matter. I met up with Alex (English name, which I prefer as if I use the wrong tone for his Chinese name, it's an insult) again yesterday at the subway stop near some parks where he wanted to take me for a walk. He's entertained many foreign ... read more
Back to China: Orientation begins at Beijing Language and Culture University
Published: June 14th 2010Asia » China » Beijing » WudaokouJune 10th 2010
So... Anh's cousin (another one) picked me up yesterday morning from my hotel and we drove to the airport together. After getting all checked in, we wandered around the airport shops killing some time, and me looking for a way to blow my last 55,000 dong (less than $3). I was thinking to buy gifts for my teachers to be, but $3 wasn't quite enough for anything of substance. It did, however, buy a bracelet and a magnet at the overpriced airport shops. Shortly after, it was time to board my flight to Beijing :) I said goodbye to Anh at the terminal coffee shop and boarded my flight. I was very sad to find the window seat I had asked for in the emergency exit row I volunteered for, was not actually a window seat. ... read more
June 9th 2010
I have found Vietnam to be vibrant, charming, friendly, and incredibly fun. It’s a great place for traveling whether you seek a relaxing beach break, a cultural and historical journey, or a kayaking, kite-surfing, hiking, climbing adventure. Vietnam has something for everybody and it’s a great place to travel alone as well. As a solo female traveler, I am frequently weary of new destinations, and what challenges they might present. I found none in Vietnam. With some basic traveler’s sense, extra vigilance on public transportation, being aware of the scams that abound anywhere tourists go, sticking to my guns about prices, and perhaps a bit of luck, I have been able to enjoy this trip with no problems. I have enjoyed everywhere I have traveled in some way or another, but usually find myself ready to ... read more
Beach Cows and the Wind in My Hair. Newest Convert to the Joys of the Open Road
Published: June 4th 2010Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Mui Ne
June 4th 2010
So I woke up thinking today was a total bust. I had an 830am windsurfing lesson scheduled and overnight my feeling of minor illness went full-blown. I had the cough, the sneeze, the sore throat, and the body aches (which could just as well have been from sleeping on sunburned skin). I had the receptionist call Jibe's Surf School to cancel my lesson, ate a quick breakfast and went back to bed until 11am. At first I thought the day was lost, but then I figured, I could be sick and still enjoy the beach (from the shade of a tiki umbrella). The English boys came over around 1pm, and had already rented two scooters (the third was windsurfing). I was contemplating joining them, but letting my fear get the better of me. See, the last ... read more
Kitesurfing Capital of Somewhere. Beaches, Mojitos, and windy Mui Ne.
Published: June 14th 2010Asia » Vietnam » SoutheastJune 4th 2010
There is gloriously little to report from my past few days. I've been three nights in Mui Ne now, being blown by the breeze or bashed by the waves to smithereens, then recovering on the white, sandy beaches. Since it was too windy to go windsurfing (for a beginner) the other day, I booked for the next morning with an Eastern European man at Jibe's named Drakor or Draco or something along those lines. I was warned by someone at another school he teaches with a firm, demanding manner, but it didn't quite prepare me for the full-on Eastern European tactics he employed. There was little explanation, and I figured most things out by knowing I was still wrong when he continued to yell at me (without instruction) and just kept changing feet or hand positions ... read more
Moving to the Back of the Bus. Destination: Mui Ne
Published: June 14th 2010Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Mui Ne
June 2nd 2010
So I'm in Mui Ne now, and after half a day have succeeded in burning the crap out of my shoulders and back. I got in last night with my new found friends, newly earned I should say. See, I have this problem sometimes where I'm a little self-sabotaging in my attempts to meet people, especially when travelling alone. Normally, when someone nice-looking smiles at you, you should smile back if you're interested in talking to them, which I usually am when I'm alone. However, I don't know how many smiles I've responded to by quickly looking down or away and hurriedly going on about my way. I'm screaming inside, "Please! Talk to me!" but sending the message that I'm too busy, not interested, or just a weirdo. No more! I boarded the bus yesterday afternoon ... read more
Getting What You Pay For: Beauty Treatment in Saigon.
Published: June 1st 2010Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh CityJune 1st 2010
So last night, after I got some dinner (the bruschetta pomodoro at Stella Cafe was the best I've ever had) and catching up in my blog last night, I decided to try out one of the beauty places that had girls on the street passing out flyers every night to anyone passing by. Now, I generally pride myself on being a low maintenance girl when it comes to that stuff, but it's been a little while since I've done anything like that for myself, and since I was heading to the beach today, I figured a pedicure and little foot rub couldn't hurt. By the time I left it was a paraffin foot treatment, pedicure, manicure (which I haven't had in 4 years or more), and some "nail art". It was all about $15, which brought ... read more
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