September 25 Xi'an

Xi'an is a really happening place! A city of 8 million-not large by Chinese standards.  Everyone is very well dressed and there is a feeling of prosperity here. Our guide said that the city bird is the crane...because of all the building cranes! Rows and rows of new condos being constructed everywhere  while farmers, both men and women, still till the fields surrounding the city by hand. On the way to a tour of a local art institute and calligraphy lesson, we drove through a "morning market" where we saw a goat that gives fresh milk tethered to a mailbox, fresh Fuji apples, persimmons and pomegranates all brought in by the farmers at 6 am.  The Terra Cotta Warriors site is truly the 8th wonder of the world. We were all speechless with amazement at the magnitude of it all. The rest of our jam packed day included a visit to the Great Wild Goose pagoda in a peaceful park and a brief walk on the wall that surrounds the old part of the city. Beijing tomorrow!