Leaving the nice hotel where the conference was held,- and starting
the adventure. First, on a taxi but trapped in a traffic jam to the
airport. Arriving to the airport and passing security check
uneventfully, but later there having some delay in the plane (about
~1h). Chatting with old couple from Britain (who happen to have a
small house in the Atlantic coast of Andalucia),-and on the plane to
an Indian lady who was traveling China with several friends and
relatives.
Arrival to Xi'an, getting luggage and taking bus to the center. In
there, avoiding bus hostess trying to get a commission on my hotel
reservation and finding a small, well hidden, but affordable hotel (a
bit run-down, but fine overall), and most importantly, right in the
center of town. Once checked in, time to start with the highlights of
the city.
First stop is the bell tower, trapped in the middle of a busy
roundabout (fortunately there's a maze of subway tunnels to get to one
side of the street to the other).
Second stop, obviously, is the drum tower, with it's drum and
furniture exhibitions. In the past, life would run to the rhythm of of
a bell during the day and of the drum during the night, which would
mark the passing of time.
From there, straight to the Muslim Quarter, to see the crowds, colors,
activity, and of course have something to eat. Highly recommended are
the kebabs prepared by this guy and his wife at No. 33 XXXXX Street
(the one to the left) (not to be confused with the big shop just
besides, with plenty of types of kebab but no customers). Another
suggestion is the noodle place at around the 105 of the same street. A
large bowl of lamb and noodles with some vegetables and just a bit of
very rich soup at the bottom of the bowl. Tried some sweets as well...
peanut 'polvoron' and some rice sweet looking like a giant 'flam' or
'creme caramel' and served in slices on a kebab stick.
With that, it was time to go to bed and rest for the trip to the
Terracotta Army the next day.
-
the adventure. First, on a taxi but trapped in a traffic jam to the
airport. Arriving to the airport and passing security check
uneventfully, but later there having some delay in the plane (about
~1h). Chatting with old couple from Britain (who happen to have a
small house in the Atlantic coast of Andalucia),-and on the plane to
an Indian lady who was traveling China with several friends and
relatives.
Arrival to Xi'an, getting luggage and taking bus to the center. In
there, avoiding bus hostess trying to get a commission on my hotel
reservation and finding a small, well hidden, but affordable hotel (a
bit run-down, but fine overall), and most importantly, right in the
center of town. Once checked in, time to start with the highlights of
the city.
First stop is the bell tower, trapped in the middle of a busy
roundabout (fortunately there's a maze of subway tunnels to get to one
side of the street to the other).
Second stop, obviously, is the drum tower, with it's drum and
furniture exhibitions. In the past, life would run to the rhythm of of
a bell during the day and of the drum during the night, which would
mark the passing of time.
From there, straight to the Muslim Quarter, to see the crowds, colors,
activity, and of course have something to eat. Highly recommended are
the kebabs prepared by this guy and his wife at No. 33 XXXXX Street
(the one to the left) (not to be confused with the big shop just
besides, with plenty of types of kebab but no customers). Another
suggestion is the noodle place at around the 105 of the same street. A
large bowl of lamb and noodles with some vegetables and just a bit of
very rich soup at the bottom of the bowl. Tried some sweets as well...
peanut 'polvoron' and some rice sweet looking like a giant 'flam' or
'creme caramel' and served in slices on a kebab stick.
With that, it was time to go to bed and rest for the trip to the
Terracotta Army the next day.
-
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