In Xi'An

Mom and I are in Xi'An, unable to post pics. We have visited a few markets here, with me buying some great, cheap fabric to get some skirts made when I get back to Yinchuan. We had the opportuntity yesterday to see the Great Mosque. It was so fascinating with the ancient architecture and ancient writing. We also talked with one of the men who work there and worship there regularly.

I also celebrated my one year anniversary of being in China yesterday with my friend, Morning, and her boyfriend, Sonny. We headed out for Indian food (my favorite) and then to Pizza Hut for dessert. Pizza Hut is nothing like it is in the States. It's actually a really fancy and expensive restaurant in China. But we could afford the dessert, which was really good. It was so strange to see Pizza Hut like that.

I can't believe I've been in China one year. Soooo much has happened in the past year! I can only imagine what the next year will hold!\

Today we're going out to walk the City Walls of Xi'An. The only city in China that has it's full city walls. We're going to meet up with Morning again this afternoon and head to a Bird Market and to The Temple of the Eight Immortals. Tonight we're going to a Tang Dynasty dancing performace and jiaozi (dumpling) feast. And tomorrow afternoon we fly to Beijing.

The Market

So, yea, we like going to the market- interesting foods, smells, and people! and for practical reasons if you want veges, you have to go to the market because there are no cans or frozen bags - but who doesn't love fresh veges! So this is our last trip to the market before leaving Yinchuan. My friend, Julie came with us. That fruit mom is holding is actually a honeydew melon. They don't grow them this big in the States! Make sure you look closely at the chicken and you'll notice that the head is still attached! All they do here is pluck them. The pan of "what in the world is that?" is actually a pan full of liver. Bon appetit!

Xiuxi- (C-O-She)

The Chinese nap or play some kind of game with friends between 12 and 2, every day. It's amazing to me that they can sleep Anywhere! and it looks so funny sometimes. These pics were taken in the market, but you see people sleeping all over town. We woke up the guy sleeping among the dried noodles when we snapped the pic, but he was a really good sport! and how would you like laying your head down against the raw meat. I haven't picked up the tradition!

The Orphanage

We took a 20 min. taxi ride to a Hui village outside Yinhuan to experience market day. The village is quite poor and seldom sees foreigners, so we were the center of attention! All eyes were on us! I chose not to bring the camera out; 1- because cameras are a sign of wealth and you just don't want the people thinking that for safety reasons and 2- because everyone was watching us so closely, it was hard to take pics without making them feel that we're thinking they are an oddity, but of course, they are all thinking we are! We heard there was an orphanage in the village and decided to visit. It was much nicer than we expected and everyone was so welcoming. Actually glad to have us- The Hui girl wearing the pink head covering is 15, an orphan and was in charge of the kids you see. Mom really wanted to take her back with us. There were 60 kids total and 1/2 were boys.(Surprising) Most of their parents had died. So sad.

Last Stop-the Mosque

So- after our adventure on the Gobi, we hopped in the car and drove to a Hui Mosque outside Yinchuan- some of the buildings were 600 yrs. old! We were lucky enough to get there to see and hear the leader giving teachings from the Koran- didn't expect that! It looked like the whole community turned out. You see M's Dad offering $ to one of the leaders to let us come in. The men are gathered in front of the teacher, while the woman are together in the back and the boys are in a classroom around the corner reciting the Koran. The teacher willingly opened the door for us to watch and take a pic. It was all very interesting.
After the teachings, The kids saw my camera and were quick to come over for pics. Isn't that little boy wearing the Hui hat adorable! From here, M's Dad took us to a Muslim restaurant, where we met his wife for supper and ate lamb stew. It's one of my favorites!

The Delicacy!

After our exhilarating jeep ride ,we took a boat across the lake to one of Morning's Dad's favorite restaurants to eat a "Chinese delicacy". We got a little nervous when we walk in the restaurant to see a large tank of huge carp and only the "heads" sitting on scales! So- where is the body, the part you eat!? Turns out the part you eat was sitting on the scale and the eyes are a real treat! So- I quickly grabbed Vivian, the translator and as nicely as I could, I told her that "Mom" wasn't used to Chinese food and would probably not be able to eat the head or the eyes! (AND I knew it was a very expensive dish and did not want him wasting his money.) She was very understanding and told M's Dad, so he ordered the next best part- the neck! and that's what you see in the bowl.It's called "Fish in the Lake" and is actually boiled in the lake water. They think it adds flavor!( Thank goodness for our shots!) The other 2 dishes are pickled radishes and seaweed, which were actually pretty good. Mom ate them!
The other pics are in front of the restaurant, there was a beautiful pond of lotus flowers and Mom is having fun with the peace symbol- the Chinese ALWAYS do that when taking pics! She's so Chinese!

Watch-out!

So- after riding the camels we proceeded to climb over the dune and yea- there were jeeps to drive in the desert! I haven't driven anything in 7-8 months,and these were stick,and I haven't driven one of those in 2 yrs. Everyone wanted to go, but Mom wouldn't drive and Morning's Dad couldn't So they forced me to! I was scared to death! You had to drive fast to get thru the sand and then really accelerate to get over the dune and you couldn't at all see what was on the other side! Everyone hung on for dear life! When it was finally over, every muscle in my body relaxed,and I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief, But now I can say I've driven a jeep on the Gobi!
By the way, the round buildings are called "Yurts" houses lived in by the Mongolians. Right over the mountain is Inner Mongolia, so the part of the desert we were on had Monguls living there.

Taxi!

Like I told you earlier, few people drive or have cars in Yinchuan- so, most people "walk,ride bikes -we're always talking about what strong leg muscles the Chinese must have!, take rickshaws, or taxis." and the different ways goods are transported around here is always interesting!