Ann & Paul in China: Jenny & Mary in Xi’an

The Great Wall of China

The girls just took 2 weeks’ vacation in China, Beijing, Xi’an, and Hong Kong. We had 6 fun days with them while they were in Xi’an. We think they really enjoyed it.

We plain old enjoyed their company, enjoyed showing them a city we have come to love, and enjoyed them having many “authentic” Chinese experiences to understand a little better what life is like for us.

Take for example the night construction knocked out our gas. It took several days to get restored and that meant either no showers or icy showers for several days. Ah, welcome to China dear daughters… Always something.

On top of the Xi'an city wall at night (9 miles perimeter)

Here are a few of the favorite things we did together: Terracotta Warriors, Jingdi Tombs (miniature Terracotta Warriors from the next emperor of China (150 BC); since he did not know his predecessor made the earlier discovered life-size ones, he chose to make 50,000 1/3 size ones), Hua Shan Mountain, Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall, Muslim Quarter and more.

Enjoy the pictures. Notice poor Mary’s broken foot. Luckily at the Great Wall she rode a gondola up and an alpine slide down. Here in Xi’an, her fit-bit was measuring 7-10 miles a day – much of it on stairs including the five floors up to our elevator-less apartment. We do walk a lot.