Xi'an

Ni Hao ! ~ What a day!!! ~ We began our day listening to the roar of fireworks all across the city of Xi’an. With no exaggeration and truly beyond description, the last day of the Spring Festival, closing China’s New Year’s festivities, had started with a thunderous bang!

We met our students and their hosts at the school for a morning of “hands on” creative fun. Three art teachers from the Xi’an International School demonstrated and taught us the tricks of Chinese paper cutting – scissors, red paper, many folds, assorted cuts – sitting around two tables, we were all busy as bees creating magnificent masterpieces – absolutely beautiful! ~ besides the beauty, an atmosphere of peace and calm filled the room and our hearts … it was magical!

Next came making the dumplings! ~ what a treat that was! – Hands washed, rolled up sleeves, smiling faces and the fun began! The cooks were great showing us how to roll and cut the dough, fill the dumplings (vegie, meat , & sweet), and get them ready for the steamers. Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmm! ~ dumplings have been a hit with all of us! - Moms and Dads, you would’ve been proud – your kids were great and got right into the action! We foresee a few summer jobs on the horizon. ~ We then enjoyed a delicious lunch of … a whole fish, chicken feet, pickled cucumbers, prawns, lotus, insides of something, Chinese bread cakes, shredded carrots, broccoli, cashews and celery, and of course, our delicious dumplings!!! Our meals have become part of the adventure and been embraced by all!

Our students returned to their host families after lunch for the afternoon and evening – looking forward to family time, shopping, cooking and New Year celebrations. Dirk MacKnight visited several at their host’s home with his cameras – he got to meet the folks and see firsthand the magic of Freshman Four Point! – Stay tuned for pictures that will ultimately end up on flicker.

Assuming our students had similar experiences, I’ll share that the adults hit the Muslim Market this afternoon – shopping, bartering, observing and taking in all kinds of sights - kites, toys, trinkets, every kind of date one can imagine, roasted nuts, sculpted pineapples, farmer’s paintings and other ancient delicacies you would experience along the Silk Road – it was great!

And then ……. the Lantern Festival! – Unbelievable! – Imagine a stone wall around the city fifty feet tall and wide, sixteen miles long, built ages ago to protect the city, adorned with thousands of lanterns, lights, colors and about a million people! – And, fireworks going off all around you - That was it and we were there! It was magnificent!!! - We are so lucky! So blessed! What a trip! What great travels and travelers!

Tomorrow it’s off to the Terra Cotta Warriors!

Pat Donovan