Road to China
I didn't plan to write a diary before coming to China, however, one event led me to start our socializing a little earlier.
On Friday evening, I took a flight to Istanbul, from where I plan to continue on to China, where I will represent Montenegro at the International Miss Tourism World Competition. Upon arrival at the Istanbul airport, I headed to the check-in section for international flights. I tried to scan the plane ticket for several minutes without success, after which a gruff voice interrupted me, offering my help in clumsy English. I turned around and found a tall, burly guy in front of me. His cold gaze pierced through me with a sharp and elusive expression. The dark eyes gave the impression that they were carrying a burden of unbearable pain. Even so, the steely stance suggested the strength that permeated his every move. Through the conversation, I discovered that he headed to Ukraine to defend his homeland in the war. At just 23 years old, he had the experience of a sniper who has been working in Afghanistan for five years. He proudly spoke about how he was ready to lose his life for his country and that it was his greatest calling in life. His courage, loyalty and the weight of the decision that leads him into the unknown left an indelible mark on me. At that moment, all my "sufferings" became minor and irrelevant. Anxiety before going to China, fatigue and lack of sleep became my privilege.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we easily forget to appreciate what we have. This meeting reminded me that I look for happiness in the simple joys of life, and that gratitude for what I have opens the door to the same.
Arrival in China, a few days after
Dear diarist, today I started the day early by arriving at a hotel in the Chinese city of Quanzhou, where I will be accommodated with over 80 girls from all over the world. The hotel delighted me with its imposing architecture, the combination of traditional and modern, and the panoramic view from the room of the Jinjiang River and grandiose skyscrapers. I share a room with a girl from Argentina who speaks bad English, so we are forced to communicate through a translator.
After settling in, we were informed that we would have a picture taken in traditional Chinese costume. The costume we received was enchanting - dark blue silk with delicate embroidery and Chinese motifs.
We took pictures during a tour of the city. We visited the Luoyang Bridge, known as the Silk Road. With its traditional architecture, it bears witness to the rich history of China, and Luoyang Lake enchanted us with its tranquility.
The next destination was West Park, a picturesque area with a lake surrounded by gardens, pavilions and walking paths. I took advantage of the idyllic landscapes of the park to record a greeting to Montenegro with the girls and on that occasion taught them a few words of the Montenegrin language. I particularly liked the girl from South Africa, who bought me with her positive attitude and sincerity.
In the evening we returned to the hotel where a real feast of Chinese cuisine awaited us. Seafood, noodles, various types of meat and spicy sauces dominated the menu. Considering that the city of Gwangju is famous for its cuisine, I tried my best to try as many Chinese specialties as possible. However, I did not like the specific taste of the food and the combination of sweet and sour aromas, so I gave up on researching Chinese cuisine.
Tired from a tiring but interesting day, I went to sleep, impatiently awaiting the new morning.
Bonus video:
