Streetside vendors often sold reproduction copies of Mao's Little Red book. I bought one and handed it to Bob when we we were sitting on the train. One of the Chinese attendants came by, took it from him, looked at the pictures, grunted and gave it back. We had a tense moment!

We flew into Xi'an from Beijing. The Xi'an airport was built in one year...2003.

Driving on the bus into Xi'an we saw dozens of blank billboards...another sign of building getting ahead of the actual use of the structures. A sign of China's new economic priority: the West

Corn and winter wheat were in season. Many farmers laid out the corn on their roofs or streets to dry.

We visited the tomb museum for Jangling outside of Xi'an.

Many tombs such as this one are found in the country. The empress was buried in a mound next to the emperor.

Inside the gate to the tomb. The tomb had been robbed many times, but not excavated. They built this ornate structure to protect the gate entrance.

Typical scene

We saw many men pulling blocks of coal (with holes for carrying). They deliver them to homes and businesses this way. Xi'an is a walled city with a beautiful fortress structure and moat.

KFCs are everywhere. They arrived first, now McDonalds is building on the same block as the KFCs, figuring that there are lots of fast food lovers nearby. I only saw two overweight Chinese people and one was in a Pizza Hut! One of our guides is married to an oncologist. She said high blood pressure and lung cancer are the leading causes of death. Liver disease is a problem in the cold northern provinces due to the high consumption of alcohol. Diabetes is becoming a problem, too.

We saw more motorcycles in Xi'an.

Xi'an Grand Castle Hotel where we stayed...right next to the wall and moat surrounding Xi'an. The imperial capitals usually have walled cities with moats for protection.

Lunch on top of a local five star hotel. It looked as if it should have revolved, but it didn't...although there was much discussion over whether it was or wasn't!

More laughs from Bob on the bus. He probably bumped his head again!

Shaanxi Provincial Museum

Shaanxi Provincial Museum

A peaceful moment for Peter and Kaia

The museum was very beautiful in the mist!

Shaanxi Provincial Museum

Rhonda teaching Brita how to bargain with the Chinese street vendors!