On Confucius's Temple, Craziness, and Coming Back Home

Over the weekend, my life did a complete 180*. On late Wednesday, I was still deep in the heart of China, and now on this Monday morning, I'm freezing my little arms off in the early chilliness of the Bay Area, California.

It was a chaotic weekend, complete with trains and planes and hotels, and a humongous Chinese holiday, elderly dancing groups, food (lots! of! food!), the best movie showings on a plane that I've ever seen, flight delays, San Francisco, my family being together, more! food!, moving in to my dorm, unpacking, reunions, and starting school. Yes, on the last week of September. I can't tell if it's a good or bad thing that we start so late, but man am I excited and relieved to be back at Stanford.

This morning has been a real busy one, getting situated with classes. It's kind of funny how immediately I've settled into my school routine - I think I'm still running on last year's schedule a bit, because my roommate and I arrived at class one whole hour early. So forgive me if I'm scatter-brained this week; it's because it's been cuh-ray-zee.

Hard to believe as it is, a little less than two weeks ago, I convinced my parents to take me to Confucius's Temple, one of the main attractions in the city of Nanjing, and always a pleasure to visit. 

It's a mecca for prayer, souvenirs, street food, and modern day shopping. 

And a lil sprinkle of gimmick, too.

But who wouldn't want to dress up as an Emperor or his concubine for some photos? 

The maze-like alleyways full of little trinkets are always fun to visit.

 Also, the circles on my mom's shirt are hardcore trippin' me out.

Just sayin'.

My favorite thing about Confucius's Temple is that it's a nice balance of the traditional (see: ancient-style architecture, a hefty history that dates back to the Ming dynasty, and a good place to observe the practicing of the Buddhist faith) as well as the modern (you are greeted by Haagen Dazs, Burger King, and Pizza Hut upon arrival). The best of both worlds, as my good friend Miley would say. If she wasn't so busy spiraling down, down, downward {dog - I see dat Pilates bod, girlfriend}! 

Snails.

Mmm. Appetizing. 

And this treat isn't from Nanjing - it's actually from Beijing,

but I needed to have one before I could leave China.

It's candied shanza - and is basically, in my opinion,

caramel apples - that's more tart and more tiny.

I have a few more China posts to share with you,

and then I'll hit the ground running with real-time, college, sunshiney California updates!