Hello Xi’an!

This is how you board a large plane in Beijing--on the tarmac!

Airtravel in China is much like it is in the United States. Get there early, get through security with your liquids, check your ID before your board. The only difference is when didn't have to take off our shoes. But then, you don't always board a large plane from a gate...

After a 2 hour journey west, into the heart of China, we arrive in Xi’an, and boy is it HOT.  Hot and humid. Pretty much like North Carolina in the summer and according to several in our group, much like Texas in the summer too.

We come out to a smaller city where we could almost see the sky! Daniel has planned only a few things for us today since we were up early and traveled. We are first going to head to the hotel to check in. We also meet our city guide, Faye, who informs us that we are in one of the four cities that China calls an “oven” city! That explains the heat!

During this trip, we have a bicycle ride along the city wall planned, and since we had very little to do during our first evening, we asked if we could do the bike ride that night. That way, we wouldn’t be doing it in the heat of the day. Faye set it up for us, but first, relaxation and food!

Of course, I asked if there was a massage, reflexology place close by that we could “visit” since I was feeling a little stiff from all the walking and traveling. Right next door was a place that set us up, so 4 of us headed over for more massaging and foot rubbing! Heaven!

We were a little late for dinner though, but luckily dinner was in our hotel. We were introduced to the mongolian hotpot--which was the most interesting food as of yet. It was almost like fondue for the Chinese. They sit a pot of chicken broth and a few herbs down in front of you and it is hot--almost boiling. Then they bring you an assortment of meats and veggies to cook in the pot. This probably would have been better if it wasn’t so blessedly hot!

City wall gate

We then headed out to the city of of Xi’an. I guess the Chinese love their walls. We entered through the gate to a courtyard, and then headed up the steps. We were trying to move fast because the sun was setting and we wanted to get a bike ride in before it got to dark. We weren’t going to have time to do the entire wall (that would take a couple of hours) but we could ride down to the first turn and back and see the sights of the city as the sun set. It wasn’t too hot and the views were spectacular.

up the steps to the top of the wall

Back to the hotel for bed and rest. Tomorrow is a big day as we head out for the Terra Cotta Warriors. I have to tell you that so far, I am loving China!

inside the wall