Xi’an 9 May -  the local scene

The street wiring in Xi’an is astonishing! How they ever find the right wire is beyond me but obviously they do.

Our second and last day in Xi’an we were feeling rather overwhelmed and physically drained. So we opted against the touristy things in favour of exploring the city alone on foot, to see more of how the people live and so on. We walked almost 9 km - did I say we were tired!? Down wide boulevards through the South Gate of the Wall to stroll along the old city’s moat outside the old City Wall and through the beautiful road- and moat-side gardens where people danced, practiced marshal arts, flew kites high over the city and, to our surprise, sold caged birds.

Line dancing had many people joining it.

The kites at the end of these strings were huge and flying way above the tall buildings.

The moat around the City Wall is quite lovely - lots of green and plenty of gardens border it.

We ended up in the Xingqingtong Park opposite the Jiaotong Uni. What a place! People everywhere - line dancing, some bollywood, playing musical instruments in secluded corners, paddle-boating on the lake. We eventually emerged on the other side of the park in a street market; apparently these are daily affairs. The selection of vegetables looked wonderful and freshly picked. Really tempting but ..... Not a bad day!!

We've seen roses everywhere we've been in China

No idea what thus game is but there were many tables under the trees

Flutists were quietly playing in  secluded spots

I had to take a sot of these pretties and captured a bee having a sup

That night we left to travel by train to Urumqi in the far NW of China. What a shemozzle! The driver dropped us too far from the station and then took off with our walking sticks still in the back of his car - he was apparently in a hurry! And that was just the beginning of that long journey. Ah the joys of travel particularly when you don’t speak the language - we’ve had some interesting experiences!

One of many daily fresh food street markets

I wonder if he could have fitted anymore to his load!

We returned in time for a late lunch. This was delicious except for its name - Mans Human Life Blood Meat pie