Blog 5

Blog 5

Today we didn’t have to be ready till 9:45 to take our bus to the airport to fly to Xian (She Ann). We ate our last buffet breakfast at the Hotel Royalton and stuffed ourselves full, knowing that our lunch would be the airplane meal on SNA. Xian is about a 2 ½ hr flight. Rather than ride the bus to the airport, some of us wanted to experience the new magnetic train that goes from downtown Shanghai out to the airport. It is the only one of its kind being used commercially. It goes as fast as 400 kilometer and floats on air. It is unbelievably modern. We left all of our baggage on the bus, which would meet us at the airport with those of the group who didn’t want to experience or feared medical problems with the magnetic train. It is unbelievably fast and we were warned that when a train passes us in the opposite direction, speed is reduce to 300 kilometers, and you hear and feel a tremendous jolt, otherwise the train is smooth and quiet. We arrived at the airport and our plane was slightly delayed. We boarded the plane and took off for Xian. We were served lunch, which wasn’t edible—overcooked rice and strips of fish, overcook edamame, yeasty roll, salad of two pieces of lettuce and cucumber and processed meat slices and a spicy and oily dressing, and a muffin which might have been banana. One half bites of everything and then gave up.

We landed in Xian at 3:30 in the afternoon and went to our hotel, which is centrally located. My hotel room is as big as my apartment with a nice view. All the hotels are well equipped and modern. I downloaded all my pictures thus far to Shutterfly, but haven’t labeled or edited them yet.

After unpacking and orientating myself in the room, I searched high and low for the safe, which every room is supposed to have. I store my computer in the safe. I couldn’t find the safe. I had to call downstairs to the desk to request where it was. They sent someone up to show me that the closet, unlike the one at the previous hotel, slid the opposite way to expose the room safe. Egads, sometimes I think I’m losing it.

After resting, we met at 5:30 to take our bus and go to a restaurant known for its Dumpling Dinner. There we sampled over 18 different types of dumplings. Even one shaped and tasting like walnuts, which was its filling. I have to tell you that my group is filled with Midwesterners, who are ultra cautious and miss their Big Macs. Most of them are unwilling to try anything and constantly questioning what they are eating and when told, turn their noses up. Now, I don’t think the food is great. To me it is the equivalent of Chinese food in the Midwest, or opening a can of chop suey, but it is not unusual or tasty. To me it is rather bland, to them spicy. East Coast and West Coast Chinese food is much tastier and if you like the spices and variety of Thai food, this is nothing. But how can anyone not like dumplings? So I ate myself full and after we got back to the hotel we walked to a large supermarket, where they were able to purchase cookies, coke and candy. Why am I heavy, when I don’t eat that type of stuff and all these people are thin?

Got back to the hotel at about 8:30 and onto the computer. The weather is hot and sticky, but I don’t seem to mind it. Living in the desert for so long really has made me immune to the heat.

Forgot to mention, 10 minutes before we left the hotel in Shanghai, I decided I would take a look in the hotel store. There was a sign that said 80% off. I went with Nancy who had been in the store earlier in the week and said there really wasn’t anything there. But I said, “Hey we got 10 minutes, let’s check.” I saw an embroidery picture of a koi fish in a setting already framed. There were others, but Nancy and I both liked this one. I tried to convince her to buy it, but she said she had bought too many things already. Well, it was on say for 100 Yuan (about $15), A far cry from the embroidery prices of the other day. I negotiated and got the salesman to accept 90 Yuan. $13.24. It is in a box, it is 24 x 24. Now I just have to get it home. It is the only thing I bought thus far. For those of you who know me, you know I can’t pass up a bargain.

Tomorrow we visit the Terra Cotta Army sculptures. Can’t wait.