"Xian and onto Beijing" - Tom Triplitt

We had one full day in Xi'an, and it is a city of contrasts, as is all of China.It is an ancient walled city and was once the capital of China. The ancient wall was our first stop. It is most famous for its Terra Cotta Warriors, discovered by a farmer in 1974. Visiting that tourist side is a bit like Disney World, but still impressive when one thinks of how long ago that massive project was done.

Terracotta Warriors

Terracotta Horses

On the way to the Terra Cotta Warrior site, we passed by people living in caves which are easy to dig due to the soil conditions, a man relieving himself in his back yard which faces the modern toll road and much modern development.

We then went to an old part of Xi'an and visited a very Chinese-looking Mosque which was begun during the times of the active Silk Road trade when people from other cultures came into China. It is surrounded by an amazing shopping area where we further honed our bargaining skills. I got some great knock-off RayBan Wayfarers for $5. They have better optics that my $60 sunglasses.

Tired Group

Xi'an is famous for its dumplings, so we went out for a 20-course dumpling feast. Note the picture of Kate posing by the giant dumpling. A great time was had by all.

Kate, Tom and Coleman visit the Dumpling

We were up at 5 the next day for our flight to Beijing. We had a great flight and landed to sunshine, blue skies and nice breeze. After dropping off our bags at the hotel we went to the Temple of Heaven. It is huge site where the Emperor went to speak with god. It is a beautiful green space in a bustling city. Kate then took us to her favorite pearl market and we bargained some more. Ask anyone of the trip about the physical shopping experience of the second floor. It is the stuff of nightmares.

Lost!

Found

We met Brittany West '09 for dinner and conversation. Brittany is finishing up a year of intensive language training in Beijing and hopes to get her work visa and work for a local developer as his interpreter.

Meeting Brittany West in Beijing

We then all moaned about going to Beijing Opera after such a long day, but eveyone enjoyed the athleticism of the Monkey King as he defeated the warriors who had come to capture him.

We are looking forward to the Great Wall on Wednesday and meeting Kate's sister, who works for the State Department in Vietnam.