A big day today. We left Beijing for Xian, flying from the Beijing Airport. The full flight lasted about two hours. Upon arriving in Xian, which is the west/central part of the country, we met our van driver and the local tour guide Weiwei Chen. We went straight to see the Terracotta Warriors Museum outside of the city.
Along the way, we saw numerous rural communities, and the countryside was alive with the wheat harvest. The technology being used for the harvest really ran the continuum from using a scythe and using a shovel and the wind to separate the grain from the husks and stems, to diesel combines. As a rural sociologist with interest in agrifood systems, I found this diversity interesting, especially in the face of such a large population and in the midst of rapid industrialization.
The Terracotta Warriors were amazing. Not having seen all of the Seven Wonders of the World, I might still be willing to agree with one of the tour guides who claimed that the Terracotta Warriors site is the eighth Wonder of the World.
Moving on to Muslim Street in downtown Xian, we set out to visit the Grand Mosque. This was fabulous. The downtown streets were alive with people, and on Muslim Street, the Chinese Muslim vendors were selling fruits and vegetables, a wide variety of prepared foods and beverages, and every possible assortment of crafts. It reminded me of my favorite part of Kingston, Jamaica - Papine Market. It reminded me of something we often forget in mass consumer society with our impersonal stores. Economic transactions between buyers and sellers are, first and foremost, socio-cultural interactions, and through the act of exchange people identify what they value. Of course, this is true no matter what or where the market is. However, street markets make it so much more visible.
We arrived to the Grand Mosque right before evening prayers, so we were able to see and listen to the worshippers as they arrived and prepared for this important daily ritual. What an opportunity! Wendy and Weiwei had given us some insights on the history and culture of Chinese Muslims. I am looking forward to learning much more about this minority group that has survived in the face of many challenges.
Before heading to the Sofitel Hotel for the night, we went to a Dumpling Banquet at Defachang Restaurant. Once again, an ASA menu had been prepared, and we ate appetizers, followed by a series of 18 dumplings, and then Cixi's Hot Pot (a special dumpling soup). It was fun and educational.
Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Warriors
Street vendors and customers on Muslim Street in Xian
Weiwei leads the way to the Grand Mosque through the alley
A display of Chinese dumplings
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