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Published: November 10th 2007
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We hopped a plane two hours west of Beijing to the small city (8million) of Xi'an. Known for the Wild Goose Pagoda and the Terra Cotta Warriors. Also known for producing electronics and the tails (tehe) of Boeing 747's
The Asia-Euro Economic Trade Forum is in town (halfway across the globe and cannot escape the Convention business!!)
The airport is about 1 hour outside of town. We landed. Jennifer came and met us to take us into town and around Xi'an. We passed many poor villages on our way into town. The highway became a broken path as we entered into the west end of the city. Our van hobbled down the road as people were walking and biking in all different directions. We passed the inner city gates and the road became smooth. The cars multiplied and ahead of us was a Drum Tower and the city center. This will be my first time within a walled city. In a matter of seconds we were around modern structures and malls. Stores lined the streets as they do on Melrose Avenue. Surprisingly enough they were all clothing stores. Nike, Kappa, Adidas and many more. "Look there's a Home Depot!!
oh shit... WALMART?!?" I want to compare this city to the essence of Las Vegas, as it seems as though it is in the middle of nowhere, but has all the commodities of a modern society. Nikon Stores and Starbucks were peppered into the mix. We arrived at our hotel. 1. Checked In. 2. Lunched. 3. Put Gramps down for his 2:30pm nap 4. David, Kathy and I hit the streets. Walked out of our hotel and turned LEFT. To the Left to the Left. EVERYTHING WE WANTED WAS on the Road to the LEFT 😊 (sorry I had to throw that in there). We roamed the main road of the city for about 30 minutes. In that time, I saw (2) white people. The rest were native Chinese!! It was incredible. The first time I had been in such a secluded society and I loved it. We were the passersby, and they... pointed, laughed and oggled-googled my Aunt (with her western face and blonde hair) "hi Hi Halllooo" they hollered as we walked by. It was awesome!
We headed back to the hotel to wake Gramps and meet Jennifer for our adventure to the Wild Goose Pagoda. On
the way there, we learned that it is just a replica of the BIG Wild Goose Pagoda in India. Nevertheless, it was amazing. Manicured grounds and Buddhas Buddhas Buddhas. The temple grounds contained scattered gardens of prayer and worship, all surrounding the 5 tiered pagoda that stood with an ancient presence in the middle. Monks were lighting candles and incenses and we were snapping pictures 😊 We were there just at sunset which promised great exposure on our digital snap shots. After about an hour or so, Gramps was ready to go, and I was ready for a cocktail (picking up the schedule is easier than I thought)
Back to the hotel we ventured, along the way we were held up by a policed escorted tour buss parade. (f**** convention!) After a ten minutes delay we finally made it back to the hotel. Freshened up and met at the hotel bar. Our accommodations did not allow for a sitting room in this particular city. I enjoyed a double Jameson on the rocks. I am beginning to appreciate the cocktail hour portion of our days. It is the time when we can come together as a family and listen to
my Gramps anecdotes of his years in China and other bits and pieces of his life. Stories of which can only be jogged by geographical references and reminders.
We sent Gramps to dinner and bed. AND THE XI’AN ADVENTURE STARTED. Jennifer told us of a traditional flavor of Xi’an… the dumpling. Apparently natives of Xi’an come together during the Chinese New Year to make, cook and eat dumplings together and Xi’an is famous for their Dumpling Banquet. We were instantly interested and in route to our banquet of dumplings! Hopped in a taxi ride that was nothing short of Mr. Toads Wild Ride. Two lanes in the road turned into four during this evening rush hour. Never reaching higher than 20 MPH we zigged, zagged sctreetched and all sorts of jolly bumper car type action for about a mile. We reached the tows city center. (A Drum Tower in the center of a roundabout) Kathy said it was just like ROME. Cars everywhere, as we screamed and laughed in the backseat. Oh man!
We staggered out of the car and found our local dumpling restaurant. The menu was all in Chinese and we had no idea what we
were doing. It was absolutely fantastic. Luckily one of the waitresses spoke “chinglish” as she put it and helped us order our Dumpling Banquet and Beer. OH MAN. We had all sort of dumplings. I felt like Bubba Gump in Forest Gump with the choices that were in font of us. Kathy told our waitress to “Bring us everything” and that she did. First it was cold plates of walnuts, celery and raisins. Dates and steamed pumpkin and Cured Roast Beef. Then came the steamed Pork Dumplings, Chicken Dumplings. Then the Shrimp Dumplings, Then Steamed Pork and Leek Dumplings, Then Steamed Vegetable Dumplings, then fried seafood dumplings, then fried shrimp dumplings, duck dumplings squid dumplings, FROG dumplings. OH MAN. Then she brought out chicken soup… Chicken Soup?!? WTF? We tried it, but didn’t finish it like we did all of the other dumplings. (I ate everything but the shrimp - due to being traumatized by David when I was a wee little lad). The last main meal she brought to our table was a hot pot of Duck and Chicken soup. To which she added a handful of baby dumplings - lit the pot and waiting. When it was good
These are buddha's wishes
Look how confused we look and ready she ladled out a cup for each of us. She told us that depending on the number of baby dumplings we got in our bowls told our fortune. I had (1) - which meant good travels. David got (2) - which meant good luck. Kathy got (4) which meant MONEY MONEY MONEY. Needless to say, together we had a great fortune. Then she brought out DESSERT!!! WHAT?!? Yeah, something like a puff pastry dumpling with what reminded me of sherbet flavored dip-n-dots, Walnut Pure Dumplings and mini-Danishes. After stuffing ourselves silly we wondered around the city center and took pictures and had a fantastic time on the town of Xi’an. Hopped back into a taxi in hopes of another wild ride. Although wild, this leg of the ride was much more tame than the first. Arriving back at the hotel in one piece we took our tired bellies to bed.
In the morning we traveled about an hour of out town to the Terra Cotta Army. It was incredible. Google it if you want the history lesson.
We are currently in flight to Shanghai. The birthplace of my Grandfather. I am very excited to see him
in his original city.
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wendy eike
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What an adventure!
Hey - only you guys could have this exciting adventure. Everything looks so beautiful! Travel Safely! XXOO