By Antonia Steinmiller
Lindsey Colley, Houston junior, has traveled to six countries in three short years. The Cypress Falls High School graduate was born in Dallas and lives in the Houston area.
Her father, Lee Colley, 50, works for the Weatherford International oil company. Due to his job, Mr. Colley travels throughout the world. Lindsey, with her mother, sister, and brother, has traveled to six different countries worldwide. Since she is majoring in Public Relations, she found these opportunities incredible for job experience in the future.
Great Britain was the first country the Colley family traveled to in May of 2006. Colley saw the beauty of England. She went to different sights around the country including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. She also visited an old castle that was built in the 19th century. Colley claims that England is the most westernized country in Europe she has visited. She also said that transportation was very easy to come by considering the fluency of the English language.
Canada was next on the list for the Colley family. Canada was a short trip according to Colley. The family was only there for four short days. Colley said the family did not do much while visiting Canada. The family went during the summer to a well-known resort and spa. Mrs. Colley and her two daughters had a spa day reserved for them. The men of the Colley family took time to golf 18 holes in the beautiful Canadian sun. The rest of the time was spent sightseeing local attractions.
In May 2006, not only did Colley travel to Great Britain, but they also made their way to China. From Houston to Newark, and finally China, 17 hours on a plane is more than enough for Colley.
She said China was the most interesting country she has been to thus far in her life. Differences range from culture to food to scenery to people. Colley visited Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Hangeul. She had a hard time adjusting to the type of Chinese food she was eating.
"What Americans have as their idea of Chinese food is definitely not what it is when you eat there," said Colley. "We were at a small Chinese village when our hostess ordered fish for us. It came out whole, including the head and lightly boiled. They just dropped the fish into a boiling pot of water and then served it to us. It felt as if I was eating a live fish!" exclaimed Colley.
Colley also said that fried rice in China is not the same as it is here in the United States. Here, fried rice is browned, fried rice that includes assorted vegetables and egg. In China, fried rice is smashed together deep fried rice. The fried rice looked like a rice cake.
Colley depended on McDonald's and Pizza Hut the entire time she was in China.
Colley commented on the pollution being extremely foul. "I thought just a thick layer of fog was covering the sky, but in actuality the sky has been polluted for over two years!" exclaimed Colley. Due to the pollution, the local Chinese people wear masks to cover up their faces and prevent inhaling poisonous particles.
They also visited Vietnam and Thailand. During their trip to Thailand, Colley fell ill due to a food virus. During the rest of the trip, she went to the world renown floating market. The market floats above water which tourists travel on a boat to buy products from merchants. During the Vietnam trip, Colley traveled to history related museums and did the local sight seeing tour.
One moment that stuck out to Colley was visiting the Vietnam War memorial. "It was unlike anything I have ever seen before in my entire life," said Colley, "It was breathtaking."
Her last and final visit was to France, which she did not care for too much. She said that Paris is overrated and didn't fulfill her expectations of the city life. Colley said the city was dirty and polluted, and the people were rude and unwelcoming. She could sense the bitterness coming from the people. Colley said because many people did not speak English, transportation was hard to come by. She never wants to experience France again. Au revoir!
Lindsey Colley is 5 feet 1 inch tall with long curly blonde hair. Lindsey is very tan with an olive glow. She has bright blue eyes and perfect white teeth.
