Day 8 continued, Xi'an Muslim Market by Night

Scenes from the Xi'an Muslim Market

Need the dead skin removed from your feet? There are live fish in these tanks to do that very thing for you.

Day 8 continued, Xi'an

Let's just take a refreshing paws before we move onto photos of Xi'an.

There now, don't you feel better?

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Xi'an traffic was insane.

I sat in the front row of the bus and flinched with morbid fascination as I watched tiny mopeds and little boxes on wheels made of aluminum weave their way in and out of the larger traffic.

The Xi'an city wall and ancient buildings are beautifully lit up at night. We enjoyed the live American folk music this band was playing.

We also enjoyed their instructions on how to show your appreciation for their efforts.

Time to stop at the Bell Tower tea shop.

Brendacita enjoys a spot of tea.

Outside the tea shop, Catherine hides behind the bushes while practicing her new gourd flute.

The beautiful lobby of our Xi'an hotel

Catherine once again annoyed at being a photo op.

Day 7 continued, Sacred Way of Ming Tombs

Sacred way of Ming Tombs

A peaceful parklike area with ancient statues. Thankfully, the communist Red Army was not able to successfully destroy all of these during the Cultural revolution.

Catherine, looking annoyed that I made her pose for another picture. A recurring theme.  :-0

I believe a lot of artistic a license was taken here.

A rare moment of Mao acting kindly towards ancient artwork of the feudal era.

A mythological creature with attributes of many different animals of the natural world. We decided to call him "Kitty".

Catherine challenges Kitty to a Face Off.

Day 8, flight to Xi'an

WiFi in our hotel sucks.  Can upload squat.  Will write more in next city (Chongqing) two days hence.  

Tomorrow: Terra Cotta Warriors 

Day 7, Great Wall of China, outside Beijing

Today marks the completion of our first week of vacation. However, due to the airline delay, we have only been in China for five days.

This morning, we took a two hour bus ride to the Great Wall. It was very misty and crowded. We started calling at the Great Wall of… Shoving Pushy Rude People.  Catherine did a heroic job of keeping me safe in the long and extremely crowded lines. It was a very stressful 30 minutes in the exit line.

On the cable car to the top of the wall.  

What a goofy looking bunch of people. OK, perhaps I am the only goofy looking one in this photo.

At the top!

Misty.

Yeah, it's cold.

See the amazingly long line going uphill in the distance? We'll call that line "Catherine's Doom".  She took more than a few elbows in the back and the sides to keep me safe. She's earned more than a few massages on this trip!

I was here.

View the other direction. Which direction that would be, I don't know.

Back down again, safe and sound! 

Everyone can appreciate a warm tip. Especially in the bathroom.

Day 6 continued, Kung Fu Show

For $4 US dollars, you can pose with the performers and have your photo taken by friends and family.

Day 6, Tiananman Square and Forbidden City - Oct 25

We picked this time of the year to travel to China because it is considered the "shoulder season". Thus, Tiananmen Square was not as crowded as it was a mere two weeks ago.  Even so, there were a lot of people. Catherine, Brenda, and Bob formed a moving phalanx around Limell to keep her from getting run over.  

Traveling with the Bs.

The whole gang of adventurers,

 Inside the Forbidden City.

The ubiquitous selfie-stick.

Forbidden City inner sanctum.

Bob was a frequent target of the street artists hoping to sell an impromptu portrait.

My Dragon Lady.

Catherine tells me this is where we will live when she wins the lottery. She is particularly drawn to the rocks.