Xi'an

We arrived at the airport in good time for our flight and were able to wander around a little. It is another beautiful, modern almost barn like building. It is shaped, but I hadn't seen it then, like the huge structure which covers Pit 1 of the excavation of the Terracotta warriers! Check in was a breeze and I was persuaded to check in my back pack as I had a tube of toothpaste which was too large for the allowed amount of cream or paste. I never mind doing this as it frees me up to walk around stress free and in comfort.

There were others sharing the plane, (Eastern Airline), with us from Semester at Sea, (as we had shared their bus), who were staying another night in Xi'an and flying down to Shanghai. We on the other hand would be spending that night in a "soft sleeper' on the train.

The flight over Hong Kong was spectacular before we flew straight out to sea and then North West over land to the middle of China and Xi'an. The flight lasted two and a half hours, the last half hour through thick mist and fog. We could not see land or trees until we actually landed!

Again going through Customs was simple and smooth and I went ahead to meet our guide. Cindy was standing at the barrier carrying a sign reading Margaret Nan Thomas, so their was no mistaking her! Her first words when she saw me were "But where is your luggage?" This is it I said. She looked at us all suspiciously and said severely "You must have some luggage..no?" NO, we replied this is it! I thought oh dear she is going to be very rigid and strict. She was petite and quick., with medium length straight black hair and a very serious expression. She walked fast to the waiting 6 seater van and introduced us to our driver, Mr Lee.

'He is the second fastest driver in Xi'an' she told us when we were driving off, 'Who is the fastest?' someone asked 'Oh he's dead, killed in motor accident' she replied and we realised that she was grinning mischievously...ah thank the lord she had a sense of humour!

It was about an hour's drive to our hotel, the Skytel, in the middle of the city. The entrance hall was Chinese grand. That is there were dark marble walls, a glistening chandelier above the reception desk and very little English was spoken. Cindy arranged our morning meeting time for 9 am and suggested we eat our first meal in the hotel dining room that evening.

Our rooms were clean, large and modern. There was a kettle, tea bags and two white mugs. The floor and walls of the bathroom were of marble and the carpet an uninspiring mustard colour. The beds were hard but I thought 'Good for my back!'. Terry and Alfred were next door.

Our dinner that evening was a very Chinese one and delicious. We had great fun attempting to make ourselves understood to the waiters and waitresses all formally dressed in black and white. Alfred is a natural comedian and we had hilarious conversations whilst using our chop sticks and trying to identify what we were eating. The back ground music to all this was Jewish. Next to us, behind a partial wooden partition was a group of Jewish men and women celebrating their Sabbath...they joined us again the next morning at breakfast when their enthusiastic chanting drowned out the possibility of much conversation!