655Jack: The Jasons in China: If This is Thursday, This Must be Xian

Somewhere in China

September 6, 2007

You know you're on vacation when you actually lose track of what day of the week it is. It doesn't help that my day here is one day ahead of yours and my day is your night, etc., etc...But I'm having a hell of a good time.

Where am I? Oh yea, I'm in Xian. Today we flew into the city from Beijing and found a very different landscape. Instead of endless city scapes we found farm lands. We ventured into the city of Xian and did some shopping. Imagine my surprise when I bought a deck of cards for my mom and got this shopping bag.

Now it's evening in Xian and I've just returned from a dumpling dinner. And when I say dumplings, I mean lots and lots of dumplings at Xian's premiere dumpling house. Sixteen courses worth of dumplings. Dumplings of all kinds, in all shapes and sizes. Pork. Pork and vegetable. Pork and pumpkin. Chicken and vegetable. Shrimp and vegetable. Vegetable. And walnut! (shaped like little walnuts and VERY tasty). Stacks and stacks of bamboo steamers filled with dumplings. It was like a Chinese dumpling version of Willy Wonka. By the end you were wondering who would've thought those little doughy delights would make you feel so full?

After dinner we took a walk and drive around town where the light mist made the entire downtown area of Xian glow like a Chinese lantern.

Earlier today we also had a chance to visit the Eighth Wonder of the Word - the Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian. Truly spectacular and overwhelming.

It was amazing to find out that this vast collection of archeological gems was discovered while a farmer was digging for a water well -- and that he is still around, 30 years later, working as a guide at the museum. There are estimated to be over 8,000 figures out there but only 2000 have been unearthed and restored. It was wild.

Ever feel like you're being followed by a man of stone?

Meanwhile, on our last last day in Beijing (whenever that was..oh yea, yesterday) we visted the Hutongs, the old sections of homes where people live as they did over 70 years ago. We rode pedicabs which were a hoot.

We also had a chance to visit a Kindergarten class and chat with kids who were happy to greet us with a big "Hello" in English.

Our final lunch in Beijing gave us a glimpse into real Chinese life. We were invited into a local resident's home and get a home cooked meal. W all agreed it was the best meal of our entire trip. "Ding Ding Hao!" which means very good was the most appropriate phrase.