1. My Dream Trip

2. China
中国

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. England

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. France

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Russia

12. 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.

13. 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 20 th century Russia was shot and
killed in the courtyard by Price Yusupov.

14. Italy

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Credits
Chinese 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--