My Dream Trip

China中国

I went to The Palace Museum in Beijing and the famous Great Wall of China. I was learning about how Chinese art differs from dynasty to dynasty and as they start to adopt more Western painting techniques. In this Museum I was able to view the different paintings and their differences, experience first hand what I had been taught. The Great Wall of China is an extremely famous Chinese Icon, and demonstrates the extreme importance the Chinese culture puts on hard work and attention to detail.

I went to the Forbidden City in China, mainly because I wanted to see all the sights. Even though it’s not so forbidden anymore, the Forbidden City was once off-limits to commoners in China. I also went to Kaifeng, a historical site. Kaifeng was once, in medieval times, the capital of China and it’s spot of international trade. I also stopped by a silk shop, because one of China’s main trade items was silk. Legend has it that the Empress found a silk worm and thought it would be wonderful if clothes could be made out of silk.

England

When I visited England, I stopped by Stratford upon Avon, or Shakespeare’s hometown. He went on to become the most famous playwright that ever lived. I also went to the site of the Great Exhibition, once a thriving museum in England before its tragic demise. It was never re-built, and the site still stands empty.

I went to the London Eye in London. A famous tourist attraction, this giant Ferris Wheel stands at 443 feet tall. At night, it can be seen from all over London as the Eye lights up. The line is huge and it’s strictly terrifying to be 443 feet up in the air, almost double some of the tallest roller coasters in the world.

France

When I went to France, my first stop was to the Palace of Versailles. Along with being the home of past Kings and Queens of France, it was also the site of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty ended WW1, and the heavy penalties it put on Germany was one of the causes of World War 2.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. It stands at 1,063 feet tall. You can either choose to take the stairs or ride the elevator to the top. It’s a beautiful sight, and like the London Eye, the Eiffel Tower also lights up at night.

Russia

My first stop in Russia was the Red Square. I have no idea what the historical importance of this place is. The building was colorful in the picture and a website told me to go here. So I did. It's very nice.

My second stop was a bit more purposeful as far as historical importance goes. I went to the Yusupov Palace. This place was historic for many reasons, maybe one of the most striking being that it’s also a crime scene. Rasputin, a mischievous political figure and the Charlie Sheen of 20th century Russia was shot and killed in the courtyard by Price Yusupov.

Italy

I’ve always wanted to go to Italy for the beautiful landscapes and famous food- for Italian food has always been my favorite. My first stop was the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Tower has the unmistakable look of something about to fall over, though it’s very sturdy and isn’t about to do any such thing. As you walk around it, you can’t miss tourists taking cliché photos leaning “against” it, looking like they’re the ones making it tilt. I’m proud to say I did no such thing.

I next went to Venice, mostly for the famous rides across the river, and I can tell you firsthand it’s pretty awkward riding alone with the person steering the gondola. He didn’t sing they do in the movies, and I’m glad because it would have made the situation even more awkward. My last stop was to the Sistine Chapel. While being not religious at all, I could still enjoy the beauty of the place, especially the very famous ceiling.

Epilogue: The Plane Ride Back

When I got on my first flight back home, I found that my seat was next to an unfortunately heavy man who honestly should have bought two seats. I spent seven hours squished between him and a plane wall. I also

found myself regretting leaving Italy. He even fell asleep eating a hotdog. At least I knew I was going to America.

CreditsChinese painting- http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2705887545 Great Wall- http://www.seemsartless.com/index.php?pic=2237 Forbidden City- http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-921903151 Kaifeng- http://people.exeter.ac.uk/nkjdatta/photos/abroad/china/ Silk making- http://bit.ly/KTkm49 Stratford upon Avon- http://www.freefoto.com/preview/1045-02-3/Shakespeare-s-Birthplace--Stratford-upon-Avon Great Exhibition Site- http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2437541 London Eye- http://www.freefoto.com/preview/31-17-10/London-Eye Palace of Versailles- http://www.fotopedia.com/items/diababurmelha-Lpv6CkVoKAI Bastille- http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-3956725250 Eiffel Tower- http://david.sickmiller.com/pictures/dynslideshow/Weekend%203%20-%20Paris/The_Eiffel_Tower_after_finally_walking_far_enough_to_get_the_whole_thing Notre Dame- http://www.offrench.net/photos/gallery-5_photo-880.php Red Square- http://www.fotocommunity.com/pc/pc/display/24117007 Yusupov Palace- http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-158912444 Leaning Tower of Pisa- http://ja.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2316788313 Venice- http://www.freefoto.com/preview/1550-03-7/A-small-canal-in-Venice--Italy-Rio--Venezia-Italia Sistine Chapel- http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-1440476803