The Far West: nineteen days in China by Carrie King

arrive to a very crowded Xian train station, after daylight. wend our way through the peddlers to our bus, with other OAT groups seen also. to the hotel to settle in, which is round the far side of the big wild goose pagoda grounds. Xian Garden Hotel, run by a Japanese company, is a Hiltonesque oasis -- with internet access in the business center! ixnay on the ewyorktimesnay ebsiteway. but would you like an international print edition?

afternoon poured rain. visit to big wild goose pagoda postponed to better weather. on to the regional museum, with artifacts from the bronze age to the last dynasty. pots with eyes and glazed pottery figures; a tall skinny antlered crane type mythical creature of bronze; a group of terracotta warriors. fred displays particular pride in the Tang dynasty and from what I could see it seemed justified.

Tang dynasty dinner show, after the banquet of dumplings. Music, dance, and acrobatics, all of enchanting quality. i liked the dumplings too. but the variety show was even better. more than made up for the peking opera; no one fell to dozing this time.