Nighttime in Xi’an.  These people work hard all day, and then enjoy the night time too.

I love nighttime in Xi’an.  It is incredibly hot, humid, and often very hazy with smog during the daytime.  After sunset, the city truly comes to life in a special way.  The air clears, and the temperature cools a bit.  This entire city is lit up, in the most beautiful way.  Each building seems to be more dazzling, and pleasing to the eye, than the last.  The streets are flooded with people, and music.  Young people dance to Taylor Swift.  Most everyone else dances to classical, easy listening, or traditional music…and dances.  It is beautiful and soothing to watch.

Now, let’s talk food.  Every single meal is something new.  And something delicious.  Here is a peek at dinner at China Folk’s restaurant.  Our entire UMass Boston group went out for this dinner, and we treated a woman named Ping Ping, and her husband and son.  Ping Ping came to UMass as a visiting scholar, and was one of the driving forces to make this trip happen!  Ping Ping ordered all the food, and she did not disappoint.  One of the highlights of this meal: I sampled about five different types of noodles.  Also here is beef, shrimp, duck, chicken, pumpkin…. you name it.  It was an unbelievable feast!!