Holstein recounts an experience from the beginning of her trip when she found herself stuck in a tunnel with a flat tire. She explained that it was dark and hot, and she was so scared because she had never changed a tire before. Suddenly, a group of cyclists old enough to be her grandparents came and rescued her.

The instances of kindness were too many to recall, and through her travels Holstein met over 100 new friends. Holstein remarked that over the period of her 90-day journey she was treated to a meal 42 times.

In addition to encountering the kindness of people across China, Holstein also experienced several unique cultural experiences.

Along her journey, Holstein attended three local weddings. In her My China Surprise video she spoke about one wedding in detail. "I was in the middle of a small village in Sichuan province, and I was taken into a local Tibetan family's home and they invited me to take part in a wedding. They gave me a dress and even did my makeup. I never thought I would ever have the chance to take part in a Tibetan wedding," said Holstein.