Nee Hao!!
I thought I would be able to update a bit more but time is limited and so is the internet access! I had anticipated internet cafes everywhere but apparently in recent years the government has cracked down on illegal use of the internet and shops (not exactly sure what that means). We arrived in Xi'an, the original capital of China, on Saturday in the afternoon. We checked into a very nice hotel - awesome breakfasts w/ some western continental foods mixed in. The first night here we went to a restaurant near the city wall to have a dumpling banquet (Tim, you were right!). It was sooo good! I have had a little bit of a hard time mustering up courage to try foods here but the dumplings were great. It was family style with the different courses and varieties placed on a lazy susan to share. So great. Yesterday was more cultural than any day we have had yet. We first went to a ceramic building site where we saw the process of how they make porcelain (China) and replicas of the Terracota warriors. Next we went to see the actual site of the Terracota Warriors. We stopped at the Huaqing hot springs made for Lady Yang. Check out those links to see what I am talking about. The temperature was extremely hot but everyone still seemed to enjoy the sites. Before ending the afternoon we stopped at the Wild Goose Pagoda and climbed to the top to get a bird's eye view of the city of Xi'an. For dinner we went to a production, mostly music and dancing, or the Tang Dynasty. It was really very nice and similar to ballet (but with a more celtic sounding beat to the music). I really loved that. After dinner our tour guide set up foot massages for anyone that wanted them after the long day of walking. It was a perfect ending to a really long day!!
I can not believe how very different Xi'an is from Shanghai. It has a very strong cultural feel to it and has preserved its historical culture. Shanghai has not, i think, due to its very rapid growth and emphasis on industry and corporations. Both were an amazing experience. From what I here Beijing is also another world apart. We are taking off this morning (10 minutes actually!!) and the rest of our trip will be spent in Beijing. I will continue to send updates! I hope everyone is great at home --- please send me some updates (GRADY'S!!!!!!).
Lots of love,
Annie
2 comments:
Anne.
Dumplings?! Maybe we can re-create the recipe when you come home and the foot massage sounds good as well! xoxoxo MOM
Annie,
It sounds like you are having an awesome experience. We wish we could have been there for the dumplings! I just read your entry to Tim and the baby - the baby was jumping all around - he / she is so excited for his / her aunt Annie! Tim is pretty jealous, but again, I think that is just about the dumplings. I can't wait to hear more about the dance performance, that sounds really amazing. We miss you - safe travels home...
love - keri, tim and baby grady
ps Tim said don't forget to take pictures with you in them!
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