So we move on to day four, and by this point I am feeling a little more comfortable. I’ve got the 7/11 routine down, I am mostly sleeping, and bless, my internet is a godsend. This day, I decide, will be about nature and art. Aka, I’m going to the art museum and I took more flower photos. When I arrive at the museum however…things start to go south.

Basically, it’s closed? While they install exhibits, the main museum/most of the other stuff is closed but the shop (lol) is open, and so is one singular exhibit and the art library. Also it’s 70 something degrees and I’ve worn a sweater dress and leggings so I am dying to get inside. Naturally, I find my way to the singular exhibit: Glass and Light.

Honestly, it slapped. I loved it, and I love glass work (hello, Artsquest!) so I was excited to see everything. My favorites were this STUNNING wave bowl that feels like it was dropped in directly from the ocean, as well as this unique whale tail with multiple layers of glass. The construction was impeccable.

Directly across from this tiny exhibit was the library, where I took an opportunity to view books showcasing what art I would have been able to see (RIP). Lots of Dali, which again, I’d have liked to see, but alas…

After a rather short interlude of not seeing much at the museum, I found myself at a loss. That was the big chunk of my plan for the day… so what now?

Thus enters the mall across the way, which was actually closer to Ryan than I expected. This mall was, I’m sure, super cool, but I mostly cared about finding food because ya girl was HUNGRY. I found a grocery store and got to work exploring because duh.

I read once that if you want to really understand how people live, you should check out their grocery stores. You don’t think about it, but it’s a HUGE window into the day-to-day of other cultures.

It was freaking awesome. Look at the fish! And this was an everyday market in a mall, not a specialty one or anything. I miss it, honestly. I secured the goods and went to meet Ryan, but also forgot utensils, so I had to steal chopsticks from a food truck to avoid chomping on a plank of fish with my bare hands. The highlight of the meal though? Those viral fruit ice creams in peach and lemon. Worth it.

I had some time left to kill before my dinner reservation, so I found a KING TUT EXHIBIT and got my butt over there immediately. I did make sure that it was full of replicas and not stolen goods, though, because I’m terrified of mummies. This was such an immersive experience with replicas, stunning pieces, and even a replica tomb that you walk through…I promise it was less creepy than it sounds.

Dinner was very meat forward, but I did go there for a Wagyu sandwich that apparently I would have been allergic to (mango), so…fail. I did get a late birthday treat though ;P It was one of the best things I’d eaten the whole time.

Adios for now!

Ally