BTC X’ian

Rain then sunny

Grand mosque visit in the minority district, Muslim of course,followed by a walk in the bazaar and sampling of the street breads. Lots of interesting foods but we had a planned Muslim restaurant meal ahead of us.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Xi’an

Many many stalls were cracking walnuts with a hammer and then throwing them into a large mixer filled with course salt. Bagged and sold. We purchased a bag of shelled ones. A bit different than Californian ones. Less crisp and a little less sweet. Difficult but good.

Lunch followed a drum concert and wander about the drum tower a ming dynasty building in the center of the city. Excellent furniture and drum exhibition.

Lamb broth soup, a meat centered meal, veggies but fewer than we have become accustomed to.

Then off to a non-tour event. We asked our guide to take us to a jade factory. An experience in itself. Learned the rules of jade evaluation and had a chance to handle the wares. Bangles from $10 to $10000. A good lesson.

Dumplings for dinner at a pre show event. Tang dynasty history show. History and culture.

Dumplings are a speciality of this area. Unfortunately they were mediocre at best. Tasted as if they were reheated. Much better in San Francisco. They did look good.

One type stood out. Walnut filled. Walnuts are grown locally.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Xi’an