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Published: December 20th 2005
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Me at the Drum Tower
Only thing about going seeing stuff on your own, pics don't come out the best eh?! Was a bit embarassed doing this so did some stupid grin and all. lol No kip on the train yet again due the guy next to me snoring like mad again (just my luck), but got to Xi'an fine all the same and getting to the hostel was well easy coz they came and picked me up from the station - cushtie! Hostel was really nice too (Shuyuan Hostel mear the South Gate of the city wall), with a bar and good restaurant which did bang one fry ups so I was well happy (the one thing I've missed most since I've been away to be fair, nothing starts the day like a fry up!).
I met a guy called George in the hostel that morning who I'd been chatting to a bit while I was in Beijing so that pretty mad. He showed me round Xi'an a bit and then I went off to have a look at both the Bell and Drum Towers in the centre of town. That afternoon I went round the Forest of Steles Museum which has 2300 engraved stone tablets in it whcih sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry but coz I was there with George's Chinese friend Jauliano he actually made it really good by expailing
Jean, George and Suzie
This is from the night when we went to the Muslim quarter in Xi\'an what was going on with all the stuff in there.
That night me, George, Jauliano, Jean (his missus), and a girl that worked at the hostel called Suzie went for a meal in the Muslim quarter which was well nice. We were having these dumpling things and a load of other stuff I can't explain but was all well tasty. I was showing off my chopsticks skills and all - what I nightmare! Jean laughed at me for pretty much the entire meal but it was right. I just ended up stabbing the dumplings instead coz I couldn't be arsed by then. lol.
After the meal I went back to the hostel for a few beers with them lot and met a girl called Karen who I think was from Plymouth and went on the piss properly with her. Ended up in this Chinese bar which was pretty much empty so we took over the bar, the CD player, the karaoke machine (once I was pissed and we had Oasis on) and managed to get the bartender to play this dice game for shots and all for free - bonus! Once we got him losing a couple of games he
Karen in the Chinese bar
The guy on the left was the one serving drinks who we got wasted off 2 or 3 shots - funny night! was bladdered off the shots anyway so we got free drinks all round after that so I was well happy! Got to bed around 7am and though "I'll just lie here a minute and then I'll get up to go see the Terracotta Warriors" as I had to be downstairs for the tour at 9:30am. Ha ha - what chance was there after that?!
Knock knock... wtf is that? Shite, it's 1:30pm - nooooooooo! George was seeing if I was in and woke me up from my alcohol induced slumber, thank god he did and all coz I was out of there the next afternoon and I'd only gone there to see the Warriors really. Anyway, managed to blag the hostel into getting me a taxi for 150yuan (about 10 quid) and that was for the trip there, the driver waiting there for 2 hours and then being taken home - can't argue really!
Jumped in the taxi and off we went with me still absolutely bladdered (I know you're loving this Mum). Got there safe and sound; well actualy, safe isn't the word with the roads in China - hectic and terrifying is more appropriate if you ask me,
At the Terracotta Warriors
This one was taken out and put behind glass in the museum so I could get a good pic but I got there all the same. Got mithered off loads of people to buy stuff on the way in and considering I was drunk and hungover I think I held it together quite well considering I only went off at one guy who followed me for 500 yards trying to get me to have him as my tour guide for whatever price he said. First time I'd got really wound up to be honest but he soon got the hint then and I could carry on fine.
Terracotta Warriors were quality, shame you can't get closer like but still really impressive sight! You've all seen the pics but I'll add one of my own anyway when I get chance yeah?
Got home at 5:30pm and got some breakfast (yet another fry up), then got straight back on the Tsingtao again. Met up with George again in the bar, met a Manc couple called Jo and James, an Aussie called Kieren and one of the girls from the hostel who wanted to chat with us to learn more English and that. We decided to go for a meal down the road at this place with drums with saddles on all
Me at the Terracotta Warriors
Just to prove I'd been. That top's starting to get on my tits though, it's in every pic! Didn't come prepared for the cold methinks... along the front of it (don't ask me why), but it was a superb choice I thought. We got a huge Chinese banquet thing and beer for only 170 yuan (15 quid) and that's not per person, that's between 6! Food was gorgeous and all so got to try loads of Chinese stuff there. Was showing off my chopsticks skills yet again for everyone's amusement - how f*cking hard are buttered button mushrooms to pick up with chopsticks! Was not a happy chapy but managed to feed myself all the same.
Got up early the next day to sort my stuff out as my flight to Shanghai was at 3pm and wanted to chill out a bit that day. I said my bye's to some people that afternoon then got off to the airport. Had an ace time in Xi'an but it was all such a blur to me that I felt it was a bit of a shame when I left. Ah well, there's always next time I suppose eh? ;o)
Next stop Shanghai anyway...
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Nik
non-member comment
Excellent!!!
Glad you're having such an ace time