Our hotel, the Xi’an Garden is absolutely beautiful and in a prime location. We are next door to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Community Park. Today we walked around and saw these sites as well as the City Water Show.
Our troop was really tired so we shuffled our feet a little. I must admit, the chocolate ice cream I ate with Dad at the Pagoda was a highlight on this hot day.
Couple interesting facts are the Pagoda is tilted because of the earthquake last year. (Xi’an hit a 5.1) I also found out a male lion has a “ball” under his foot and is usually on the right. A female has a baby (which looks like a ball with two cut outs between her inner toes) under her foot. We also learned that it is respectful to enter the temple through the right door and exit through the left.
After our stroll everyone was groggy so Mike let us take an hour nap. When we finished we took a bus to the City Wall. After the City Wall we had an interesting dining experience called a “Hot Pot”. Here, there are individual boiling pots of water/chicken broth where you cook the food by boiling it and then can dip it in a peanut sauce. I did cheat and make my own sauce out of soy and garlic, but this made the food tasty. We were able to cook veggies, egg, noodles, tofu, and meat in the water. My favorite was the beef roll. (Lamb was the other sliced meat) I also really liked the meatballs (for the first time in China) for dessert they served a roll and cup of frosting (that was shared) to dip the rolls in.
On our way home we all talked about our evening plans. Many people went to bed but Mom, Dad and I decided to see the night time Water Show.
Before the big event we strolled and I took many pictures of the local park and art (which was fantastic) The Water Show was REALLY crowded and we only stayed a bit. Tonight, Mom and Dad were a big hit with the people of Xi’an as they had their picture taken many times. One person even paid a professional photographer to take Mom’s picture.
And now… well it’s the moment I’ve been waiting for  Good-night. It’s been a long day and tomorrow is going to be a HUGE day! (We see the Terra Cotta Soldiers)





My Photos:

Peacock from the hotel (I know, I got a little carried away :

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my Dad has a DA account too!... Arnies-Corner


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