Hello again, everyone! You'll never guess where I am now...

Okay, so maybe you will since I already told in past blogs and videos (it's CHINA!), but you couldn't possibly imagine what this place is like until you've been. So, I'm going to have to fill you my time with i-to-i (that means Meaningful Travel, ladies and gentlemen) in on the magical land that is the People's Republic.

My wondrous time in Hong Kong was filled with an equally exciting stay in Xi'an, a city that was the capital of 13 dynasties. As the first stop on the Silk Road trading route, Xi'an for many years saw massive wealth pour into its hands, funding the creation of such stunning structures as the massive city walls and the Drum and Bell Towers in the city center. But beyond impressive history and architectural treats, this city has a quite a buzz about it. I suppose a population of more than 8 million people will do that. Despite its large population, however, it maintains the feel of a smaller city. While Beijing is said to have non-stop bike traffic and an impressive amount of noise (plus the awesome Forbidden City and the nearby Great Wall, of course), one can still find room to walk and silence to think in Xi'an. Even when in the hands of the wily cab drivers, I felt at ease...but maybe I had just resigned myself to the fates and accepted that the seeming lack of driving laws would be the end of me.

I stayed several nights at the volunteer house with the other people doing programs in or around Xi'an, whether they were teaching English at elementary schools, working at day camps, or giving their time to orphanages and centers for the mentally handicapped. The mix of people from the US, UK, and the Middle East meant good times and good conversation. When not enjoying the communal dinners and tea houses (chocolate milk tea...mmm...) around the volunteer house, the group explored the city with wide eyes. We wound through the Muslim Quarter seeking bargains on calligraphy, jade, and tea, and stopped by the grills of street vendors to attempt to discern what on earth they were cooking. A number of us bounded through the night markets and made our way to the Great Goose Pagoda for a fabulous night-time fountain show (picture neon lights, booming music, and thousands of people dancing in the fountains to finish the weekend and ward off evening heat).

What a fantastic several days to be introduced to China! More communiques from the mountains shortly :)