Xia'n day 2

---

This morning we wandered around and over the South Gate of the city wall, then explored the Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD by the Buddhist monk Xuan Zang. (He had walked to India and studied Buddhism for seven years there, then brought back written works for translation.) Lunch was at another hotel contracted by the tour company. They asked us "western or Chinese?" and we picked Chinese, so the put us in a big, empty dining room with a full buffet. We found out we were sharing the staff's food when a group of waiters and costumed dancers came in to eat. Afternoon was spent in the Shaanxi Museum, which covered the entire archaeology and history of the area from 10000 years ago to now. Finally have the dynasties stright, more or less: Zhang, Xie, Han, Qin, , Sei, Tang, then downhill from Tang. Tonight we get to feast on dumplings, and see a show about some Tang emperor's concubine. Off to Beijing tomorrow.

---

Photos

If this were Japan . . .
. . . I'd feel like I was in a Kurosawa film. Have to see if there's a Chinese equivalent.