Everywhere you go in this country there's a local delicacy. We're spoilt in Shanghai with the Xiaolongbao. Most of China's snacks are dubious or godawful. Take the Yunnan deep fried goat's cheese for example, or the Suzhou sesame paste sugar balls, or the beijing gravy dumplings. All tasty enough on the first bite but it's downhill all the way thereafter.
Sure. I know people who've been or lived there. "There's a reason you've never heard of it" they say. "It's basically any big Chinese city, just bigger". But they said the same about Guangzhou and so I remained unperturbed.
I came to China to explore. To see everything. This is the ancient and 'harmonious nation of diversity'. Such a bold notion must surely make for some curious and tasty contrasts.
Flying home for Christmas. Below, Siberia stretches to the horizon, a million snowy, peaceful, untouched peaks.
Not content with authentic soup noodles, the owners of Pho Real have set up a stall across the road serving up Vietnam’s other national treasure–the bánh mì sandwich.
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I celebrated my 18th birthday in Barcelona with a herd of architecture student. We wandered the rambles, hooting, munching on paella and visiting every Gaudi on the map.