China Day 18 - Saturday June 4

Right now, we are in Xi’an.

Last night, our flight didn’t get in until 1:45 am. It was terrible. So none of us got to bed until around 3:00. But we all had things to do, so we still woke up early.

We first went to the fabric market to pick up the things I was having made and tailored. Some things worked, and some didn’t. A few things need alterations made to them. We are going to go back Monday and get them.

After the fabric market, we went back home to pack. It was 2:00 by the time we got home, and we had to leave for the airport at 3:00. It was a little rushed, but we made it. Our flight was only delayed in the plane for a little while this time, and we made it to Xi’an at 8:00 pm.

Before getting our bags, I had to use the restroom. (Nice public restrooms are one thing I am grateful the states has. Most of the time, the restrooms aren’t very nice, and some of them don’t even have toilets. They are just a hole in the ground, that kind of looks like a urinal on it’s back side. Haha. Anyways, they may or may not have toilet paper, and they just aren’t in very good condition.) Well, this restroom I had to use, I thought would be ok because it was in the airport. However, it was terrible! It smelt so bad, and even though they had sit down toilets, it was just horrible. I didn’t even dry my hands because they didn’t have paper towels. When I walked out, my dad said, “Welcome to real China.” Haha, he said I’d never really been to real China because Shanghai is so Americanized. I was just surprised it was so different.

We took a taxi to our hotel, on the opposite side of the city, so the ride was a little long. Our driver drove so slow compared to Benny and Shanghai driving. But, the entire city seemed to be moving slower, so it’s probably just how things are here.

We’re staying in the Shangri-la hotel, and it’s awesome. My parents have stayed here before, so that’s why we’re here. Plus it’s somewhat close to the sites were going to see tomorrow. We checked in and got to our rooms which are heaven compared to Hong Kong. Instead of two hard single beds, we have two incredibly soft and squishy full size beds. And the room is huge! It’s such a change from Hong Kong. :)

We went to the hotel restaurant for dinner and I got the buffet, even though I didn’t eat that much. I just wanted to try everything, mainly the bread and desserts. It was all delicious. Now we’re laying in our beds getting ready to fall asleep. We’re getting ready to leave at 7:30 tomorrow bring and early to see the terracotta warriors.

I’m excited!!