August 28th I moved to Xiamen, China. The plane left in the evening, but a lightning storm delayed us from taking off. We waited 30 minutes on the plane, then 30 more, then taxied to the runway and waited more. I originally had a 2 hour layover in California which was enough time to get to the next plane, but because of the delays, I barely made it on the plane (they were all waiting for me and calling the flight over and over), and my luggage didn't make it on. From LA, CA. to Xiamen it was a direct flight - definitely a God thing because direct flights from Orlando are super rare and super expensive, but this ticket was in the 600s. Side note, if you want to travel to Asia, now's the time to buy a ticket! :)
Beautiful skies
This is a Chinese airline and a huge jet. I was blessed to have a window seat. The airline provided a blanket, pillow, water, and several meals.
This was the dinner.
Breakfast the next morning
At the airport I waited in line for customs for a while, completely forgetting to fill out the luggage form, but thankfully my sponsors and I remembered when we were outside. 😄
the way vendors have open shops selling food and other items along the side of the road,
the way people hang clothes outside to dry, 
the way people sit outside in the evenings and chat and drink coffee, and many other little things.
In this particular province I haven't seen any houses. Every building is at least a couple stories.
This is the main road to walk down to get to the ocean. No cars are allowed and on the right and left sides there are all different kinds of shops.
And these random cute statues sit in the middle. 😅
At the end of that pedestrian road, an underground tunnel takes you to the other side of the road where you can hop on a ferry to ride across the water.
They have McDonalds, KFC, and Starbucks here.
We sat outside and had coffee and breakfast together. Many times it was mian bao - a bread they eat for breakfast - or toast.
You need groceries? Food from a restaurant? Drinks?
You can easily order free delivery online and delivery people will come shortly. 
At the end of the alley (where the guy in the previous picture is walking towards the road) is this very popular road. I understand that it is Xiamen Rd. and so many young people come to take photos with the 2 words on this building....and the fish tank. 😂
I attend an international church that meets in this building (it's owned by the 7th day Adventists so we can use it on Sundays). International means that only passport passholders or those married to a passport holder can attend.
Fountain that is never on. haha
See the temple on top of this building? My friend told me a lot of places are built around a temple.
More sights from my walk from Jackie's place to the school where I work.
Integrity park
Fire station. I don't know why it's so tall.
My school
My housemate and I went to the mall one evening to eat and I saw this dispenser.
At a Greek restaurant. Do you see that little opening next to the men sitting at that table? That's a hand washing station.
Some stores sell these huge bouquets of flowers.
My first time riding in taxi by myself I saw these figurines. 😁
Not to give too much information but this is something interesting. This is how the Chinese toilets look. You put your feet on either side and squat. (Also, similarly to Honduras, throw the paper in the trash can.)
For the first time I rent my own place! Well, I have a housemate, but still. It's way more affordable than in America. We're on the 12th floor of this 49-story building.
This post is long enough so I'll stop here and share more pictures next time. :)
I hope you are having an awesome week, and thank you for following along! Feel free to comment if you have any questions and I'll answer them in the next post.