This year was my third time visiting Beijing, China. I call it "hustle land." Everything over there is fast, and I love it! The moment I stepped out of the airport doors I had to run across the street to catch my van that was about to speed off. The traffic and driving skills of the locals is not a game. You have to be assertive and attentive at all times or you might get ran over. Everyone works non stop and everything is for sale. You can find anything over there for cheap. Negotiating is a must and the American dollar goes a long way.

The funniest thing was that nail salons were extra expensive. I thought I was going to go over there and get the manicure of my life for cheap...wrong! a manicure and pedicure was $75, double for what we pay in the US. Totally wasn't going to happen. The one place that I heard about was the "Silk Market" the land of bootleg. I saw everything from designer bags, electronics, Louboutins, make up, perfume, clothes, etc. Any and everything was there! After an hour, everything became a blur, everyone started to look the same and I was getting a major headache. As soon a walked through the doors, a small stampede of little chinese women bum rushed me yelling "pretty girl, you buy" "good quality" and every designer name you could think of. I did buy some perfume that wore off in an hour and some make up that was pretty decent. I negotiated a pair of silk pillow cases from $40 US dollars to five. My friends called me "the negotiator" lol. It was a great experience. I think the buyers and sellers both get a thrill out of the whole experience. We had to negotiate everything, even the cab ride back to the hotel. Beijing is like New York City during rush hour on Friday, on the hottest day of summer time 100. That is the real city that never sleeps.