YMCA Xi'an

... that alerts you to check just where it is coming from and where it is aimed for so you can avoid it on the ground. We picked up a few couples in the trip to hotels in the city and then we drove out of the city walls to the first stop- yep a factory showing how to make the terracotta warrior souvenirs and other crafts available to buy of course ( how often do you do a tour with a shopping stop on the way- I can tell you too too often!!!!). Interesting but these stops cut into the ...

... case there comes a day when I need more and on the off chance I have enough left over to go to Sanya at the end of this trip and recuperate on a beach (not looking likely at the moment!) but to tell the truth, stinginess is not really in my nature. While it is not to my credit, I think because I grew up poor, I tend to see money as an unreliable and transient beast. When it's there, you'd best use it because who knows where it will disappear to tomorrow. I guess I also ...

... and the new on the other. We visited the Mosque in the middle (old part of Xain) as there is quite a large Muslim population here. I have never bartered so hard in my life, it's such good fun and I now have a reputation for being good at it, so am bartering for the rest of the group, "Lady, best price for you, one dollar!!!" Tough Lady apparently, according to the Chinese. We went to the most amazing show on our first night called the Ting Dynasty ...

... prayer hall, which we could not enter. Many men in traditional robes were running into the prayer hall as it was time for one of the five prayers of the day. Outside, we listened to the prayers being chanted over the loud speakers and Yi translated a little bit for me. It occurred to me that the men worshipping there might have been annoyed by tourists loitering outside, although I suppose it is not much different than those church goers who decide to go to places like Saint Paul's ...

Hi everyone, This is just a really quick message to let you know that Ali and are I fine, and were not affected by the massive earthquake that happened 24 hours ago. We felt the quake when we were at the terracota warriors yesterday, but it was not too big where we were, and we were shocked when we heard about its magnitude. There are problems moving around the country somewhat at the moment, so we are sitting tight in Xi'an for a few more days. Kate xx

... fight with the village children. Our tour guides and professor told us it would be a nice gesture if we brought little toys for the children. Many of us were happy to do so. When the children were given the toys they were so appreiciative they hugged us and wanted to play with us. Anyways, the snow ball fight escalted and before you knew it children were running out from all of the houses in the Village to play in ...

... overweight man/woman with loud, obnoxious voices - sporting a polo-shirt (with 'Kentucky State' or whatever emblazoned across) tucked into pleated shorts with pulled-up white socks. They're aways assured of their status and think they only have to identify their home state after an intrduction - 'Hi, I'm Chuck from Ohio' ... give me a break! I think they're probably the most gullible and will throw their Amercan Express at anything. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda ...