Xi'an, China

Thursday, March 21, 2019         Xi’an, China

We had a  surprise this morning. The train had stopped for three hours during the night while the track was being repaired….making our arrival at 11:30 am instead of 8: 15am. This gave everyone the opportunity to view the countryside for several hours! I was thrilled. We had boarded the train as evening darkness fell and so any scenic viewing was impossible.

Oh, the sights we saw….

Gardens, orchards...the interior of China is an agriculture country. Tree planting appeared to be still going on everywhere.

                                                      Tombstones dotted the area.

                                                      Nuclear power plants popped up.

                                   Old homes that were in complete ruins were abandoned. 

                                          A smoky haze, smog, hung over the countryside.

                                         A scenic mountain view where the Chinese often hike.

                                 This area was not nearly as developed as Beijing.

We arrived at the Xian station at 11:30 am. 

A porter took our luggage as we followed Howard to the bus , but many were lugging other things.

First glimpse of the great walled city of Xi'an.

Howard was from Xi’an and we could tell he was happy to be in his hometown. He was anxious to see his wife and 13 month old little girl in the evening.

We drove into the walled city….24 Dynasties have ruled China, 13 of the Dynasties were from Xian.

Xi’an was a very modern city. Upscale  shopping, modern streets, well dressed citizens. 

A great mixture of old and new

We got to the hotel and took an hour and half resting period….showering and putting on much needed fresh clothes…AHHHH!

Men tapping out silver trinkets

Howard, our guide, then led us through the Moslem Market for lunch…A beautiful area of very nice shops and street food.

                            Have you ever seen such a beautiful pomegranate presentation?

      These little fruits were placed in a mold to grow into these little Budda shapes...amazing.

 We enjoyed a Chinese Moslem lunch with kosher meats for our two Moslem friends, Ahmed and Farida. They had only been eating seafood and vegetables so they were happy to have some spicy beef and fried chicken. Moslems can only eat food that has been properly killed and prayed upon….specifically slaughtered by cutting the neck, bleeding and then blessed….the same way  kosher food is prepared for the Jewish faith.

One of the waitresses

After lunch we went to a Chinese Shadow performance. Characters dance about on a screen, telling a moral story for all to enjoy. Sort of a form of Chinese Cartoon before television and video games were invented, that, unfortunately is a dying icon.

Next we visited a Chinese Moslem home. 

We entered an outdoor dining area with a stage. The home owner would bring in live entertainment for his guests to enjoy. 

Within this compound, a group of small houses were closely built, each with a purpose. 

                                                   Intricate wood work was carved

One house was for entertaining men, one for entertaining women, another house was for the sons’ bedroom, another house for the daughters’, and last a house for the master and his wife’s bedroom. Each had a second floor. One house was for punishment. Instead of sending you to stand in the corner, they sent a misbehaving child to a punishment house. It was all very interesting. 

We even passed through where the foul were kept within the huge household.

 

I loved the blue and white China...Larry, do you think this will fit in my suitcase?

                                                            What a posh private bed?

                  Howard shared so much information about his beloved city, Xi'an.

Howard led us to the local Moslem Mosque. Entrance was for a fee and non Moslems would only be able to visit the gardens so we opted to not enter. We have already been in a couple of the largest mosques in the world… in Abu Dhabi, Emirates and Casa Blanca, Morocco. 

Howard led us through another portion of the bustling Moslem Market. Fascinating!

                                                                         Very humbling

We came back to our hotel to put some warmer clothes on…the temps were falling….and then headed out for the city wall. 

Howard arranged for bikes for everyone and we proceeded to ride our bikes half way around the top of city wall.

Entering the city wall

Now you are talking my language. I could ride a bike on level land for eternity! It was great to watch the city lights come on and twinkle as the evening progressed. I loved it. 

Willie enjoyed it too....he rides a lot in Ireland.

Howard led us into  a museum that had the actual footers for the older parts of the walls. Incredible!

Sam and I are two frozen ice cubes.

                                Looking over the edge of the  of the wall a modern city appeared

                                                           The moat surrounding the  wall

                                             Over the wall we saw a Buddhist temple....

with monks walking about.

                                     As we headed back through the ancient walled tunnel.....

wedding photos were being taken....

with this long, long whisping veil.

                The lights of the city turned on while walking back to the hotel....it was a sight!

Everyone returned to the hotel afterwards for some personal down time. Dinner was on our own so Larry and I headed to the local Kentucky Fried Chicken and had some American food. Original Chicken….(no grilled here), corn on the cob, mashed potatoes….followed by a few minutes of Chinese news in English. We were thrilled to have a little update of what was going on in the world. Being between the sheets tonight is downright awesome after our train adventure.