Feb 23 - fly to XiAn

This morning at breakfast we ran into about three other families that were in China for adoption. Evedently today was the normal 1st day of the trip for adoptive families.

Zach's middle name must be Obnoxious, I swear the kid CANNOT sit still. He is always sliding down some rail, hill, or a slippery surface. This morning he was running in and out of the automatic revolving door at the hotel entrance, of course trying to make it at the last possible moment. His shoe got stuck in the door, and it caused the door to turn off. In the van he was playing with the latch on his seat, and the back came loose and smacked him in the face. At the Great Wall I caught him sliding down a section of the steep handrail, he has to jump off of every object not fenced off, and climb up everything with handholds!

Getting into XiAn we got to freshen up at the hotel before going out with our new guide for this city, Ivy. She took us to the City Wall, Oh my, there is a five story wall, about 50 feet thick, around the entire inner city! The thing is massive! And there is a 30 foot wide ROAD on the top of it. Each of the four gates have huge towers with ornate buildings on top of them. In the middle of the inner city there is a bell and drum tower, all extremely impressive. The bell tower is in the exact center of the Inner City, surrounded by a traffic roundabout, it is the perfect vantage point to see all parts of the inner city.

Later we walked down what they call Muslim street. The entire street is lined with old buildings, shops, and street vendors. You can't (well, are not supposed to) drive on the street, but we dodged a few cars on our way up and down the street. Zack bought a clay whistle, which he promptly broke, when it slipped out of his hand , while sliding down the walkway.

The dumpling feast was good, but again, way too much food! I am falling asleep as I write this, so until tomorrow, good by (in Chinese - I'll say it when I learn how, I'm still trying to master thank you!)

Brett