Guilin, China

What to expect in... Guilin

10. Fun translations

You never know what fried enema tastes like until you try.

9. Squatting

They can talk on the phone, smoke, eat a meal, and go to the bathroom while squatting. Probably all of those things at the same time too!

8. Tradition
Many of the cities of the east cost have lost their roots.
It's nice to get a little bit inland and see more traditional culture.

7. Different hygiene standards
Through traveling, I've learned that Americans are the world's biggest clean freaks.
Oh yeah, and especially when it comes to teeth.
I just can't get used to any other way.

6. Chinese tourists

This region is very iconic in Chinese culture and draws people from all over the country. 

As travel restrictions lift and affluence increases, the Chinese are traveling like crazy both domestically and internationally.

Chinese tourists love love love selfies.

5. Peacefulness
It's so much more pleasant than China's megacities. You'll really appreciate it.

4. Rice terraces
Accompanied by old ladies that pester you to pay them to show you their long hair.

3. Tea

Osthmanthus is the city's trademark tea. 
Making and pouring tea is an art.
Tip: Don't let anyone from the street take you into a tea shop - they'll try to swindle you.

2. Fresh air
You can breathe here!

1. Legendary mountains
It's amazing what erosion and uplift can do.
The #1 thing to do is take a boat ride.

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Provo, UT, USA

What to expect in... Provo

20. MLMS
Lots of moms try to sell creams, drinks, oils, kitchenware... you name it.
Just SAY NO.

19. J-Dawgs
Costco hotdog-turned-local delicacy.
Sammy's and Cafe Rio are also pretty iconic.

18. Vivint.
Out-of-state summer sales are popular in Brovo.
It seems like Vivint and every company in Utah has a Now Hiring sign.

17. Getting towed
They're always looking to get money from you. Watch out for the cops too—they have nothing to do.

16. The Velour
Provo gave us Neon Trees, Imagine Dragons, and a number of up-and-coming musicians.



15. Urbanization
You'd think Utah's a bunch of mountain folk, but it's actually highly urbanized and has a lot of tech companies.



14. America!
People love it as much as they love Napolean Dynamite and Nacho Libre.

13. Sundance
There's beautiful hiking and biking all around Provo. Then it's skiing and snowboarding in the winter.



12. Provo All-Stars
Also known as bros. I'm no expert in bro-dom, so I don't have much to say.
Just try not to hit their scooters.



11. Degrees
Per capita, this is one of America's most educated cities.

Foreign exchange student from India

10. Canals in the roads
Don't step off the sidewalk on 194456 E 209403 W, or you might twist your ankle in the drainage system.



9. "Parties"
Friday nights you'll find BYU students drinking Sprite, chatting, giggling, and playing girl's camp games.

8. People aged 18-20 M.I.A
They're off preaching the gospel. The long-term goal is to talk to every person in the world so WATCH OUT!

7. Tall and blonde
This town is tall, white, and blonde (until the Mexicans take over the state in a few decades.)
Brigham Young University students always rank high in looks.



6. "Rise up"
From those obnoxious BYU football ads.
They think they're fighting for a holy cause since they're representing the "Lord's University."



5. Mawiage
The girls are "18, clueless, and baby hungry." - Studio C  (Provo's favorite comedian group.)



4. Happy Valley
People are friendly, smiley, and ready to serve. It's an overwhelming culture shock every time you come back.
South Provo's a lil scary though.

3. Chapels every other block
Want to be Mormon? CLICK HERE to learn more!!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ! ! ! !!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ! ! ! !!!!!!!



2. Cookie cutters
Sometimes it's hard to tell people apart. There, I said it!
Applies to dressing, talking, and thinking.

1. Being good at everything
Do you play football, play basketball, run 5ks, ski, rock climb, paint, draw, ballroom dance, sing, play piano, play guitar, act, speak foreign languages, teach, and coordinate service projects for hundreds of people?
Provo's the place for you!

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Boston, MA, USA

What to Expect in... Boston, Massachusetts

15. Asians
The Asians (especially the Chinese) are taking over the universities.

14. Overspending
Boston is a very expensive city and has some of the highest housing prices in the country.

13. Catholics

Although it was founded by Puritans, waves of immigrants from predominately Catholic countries have brought Catholic traditions with them.

12. The Kennedys

A legendary family.

Recently, the city took out a highway and replaced it with a big (organically maintained) park dedicated to the Kennedys.

I feel like I should insert a Ted Kennedy driving joke.

11. "Wicked"

I actually heard it said!

10. Dunkin

Preferred to Starbucks.

9. Irish roots

Many people can trace their roots back to the immigrants who fled from famine in Ireland.

8. Fenway Park

It's a big part of history. I don't get it cuz I think baseball's boring.

7. Wanting to walk around

There's a lot of pretty places to walk around, especially on the Freedom Trail.

6. Accents

Don't know what happened here.

5. Pretty buildings

Boston has such a rich history of architecture, especially from the Colonial and Victorian eras.

Makes other parts of the country look bland.

4. Personality

I like places with a lot of character. People here aren't afraid to express themselves.

3. Liberal liberals

The tea partiers are long gone.

2. The 1700's

US and British history are written all over this place.

It's like Philly, but safer and cleaner.

1. Students and professors
God’s (evolution's) gift to mankind... after Obama of course.
This is a world capital for higher education.

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