It was amazing to think we'd be flying again to a different part of China. I had to remind myself that it IS a big country.
Here's Charlie giving us our day's instructions and telling us to be sure to use the bathrooms when we can. We really appreciated his efforts toward having a bathroom almost every two hours or less. At this point I was getting used to the squat toilet and felt they were a bit more sanitary unless the flush is too strong and your shoes are not safely out of the way. Another thing: You're NOT supposed to throw your toilet tissues into the toilet, but into that little trash can. That was gross and rather smelly.
That's me at the airport for the flight to Xian which took about two hours.
The Shangri-la Hotel may not have been quite as fancy as the Westin but still wonderful. And yes, Art did our laundry before we boarded a giant bus again.
Xian was the ancient capital of China and has the oldest and best preserved city wall. Xian has a 3,100 year history.
From Wikipedia:
It was explained to us that Xian is the root of the Chinese tree. Beijing is the trunk and Shanghai is the branches.
We met our city guide, Catherine who explained that Xian is known for its friendly people.
Catherine also told us:
China is divided into three parts:
North: People are closer to Russia and Mongolia and therefore tend to be taller.
Middle: (Xian) Mid range height, square faced, baby faced women, Mandarin is spoken
South: People are shorter.
Xian is pronounced Shee-yan and is the heart of China and the cradle of Chinese civilization. Beijing is the throat. Shanghai is the stomach.
Catherine and her friends all love Starbucks and it is the prime young people hang-out.
Dinner was at the Tang Palace where we would be served 18 dumplings. Charlie warned us to eat only the fillings or we wouldn't be able to finish all 18.
Well... the dumplings weren't all that big and often in the shape of the filling, but we listened to Charlie and removed most of the outer shell.
The dancing was lovely, but we were so tired.
Charlie was worried that we were looking rather tired and could get sick. He'd bought some herbs at the pharmacy so he asked us all to drink it.
We did.
You know what? Art and I were healthy for the entire trip.
And nobody caught what Charlie referred to as "Chicken Flu."
Tomorrow: Terra cotta soldiers!
Here's Charlie giving us our day's instructions and telling us to be sure to use the bathrooms when we can. We really appreciated his efforts toward having a bathroom almost every two hours or less. At this point I was getting used to the squat toilet and felt they were a bit more sanitary unless the flush is too strong and your shoes are not safely out of the way. Another thing: You're NOT supposed to throw your toilet tissues into the toilet, but into that little trash can. That was gross and rather smelly.
That's me at the airport for the flight to Xian which took about two hours.
From Wikipedia:
The fortifications of Xi'an (Chinese: 西安城墙)is an ancient capital of China, represent one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese City Walls. Construction of the first city wall of Chang'an began in 194 BCE and lasted for four years. That wall measured 25.7 kilometres (16.0 mi) in length, 12–16 metres (39–52 ft) in thickness at the base. The area within the wall was c. 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi). The existing wall was started by the Ming Dynasty in 1370. It encircles a much smaller city of 14 square kilometres (5.4 sq mi). The wall measures 13.7 kilometres (8.5 mi) in circumference, 12 metres (39 ft) in height, and 15–18 metres (49–59 ft) in thickness at the base.
It was explained to us that Xian is the root of the Chinese tree. Beijing is the trunk and Shanghai is the branches.
We met our city guide, Catherine who explained that Xian is known for its friendly people.
Catherine also told us:
China is divided into three parts:
North: People are closer to Russia and Mongolia and therefore tend to be taller.
Middle: (Xian) Mid range height, square faced, baby faced women, Mandarin is spoken
South: People are shorter.
Xian is pronounced Shee-yan and is the heart of China and the cradle of Chinese civilization. Beijing is the throat. Shanghai is the stomach.
Catherine and her friends all love Starbucks and it is the prime young people hang-out.
Well... the dumplings weren't all that big and often in the shape of the filling, but we listened to Charlie and removed most of the outer shell.
The dancing was lovely, but we were so tired.
Charlie was worried that we were looking rather tired and could get sick. He'd bought some herbs at the pharmacy so he asked us all to drink it.
We did.
You know what? Art and I were healthy for the entire trip.
And nobody caught what Charlie referred to as "Chicken Flu."
Tomorrow: Terra cotta soldiers!
