西安1 - We are in Xi'an

Today - 12842 steps (8.9km)

北京 - 四安

咱们一早趁机去四安， when Raymond booked our flights he knew there would be a transit somewhere before arriving Xi'an but he didn't know where that place was. It turned out the transit point was 中卫，而中卫是宁夏回族自治区的地级市政中心。

In talking to the guy sitting next to me in the plane,  中卫 has some amazing desert sights and sounds such as jeep rides, camel rides and accommodation in tents (蒙古包）。It sounds like a happening place to me .....

Beijing Terminal 3

One for the memory

Blue sky @ Zhong Wei

 Raymond在当私家侦探，偷拍人家的照片。

 咱们才自觉到中卫竟是靠近内蒙的腾格里沙漠

On we go in our journey and we arrive Xi'an and then check into DaysInn in the Xi'an city center (四安中心戴斯酒店） - 房租328元一晚。

咱们肚子饿了就一伙儿走去附近的回民街吃中饭。

 Love these 狗头枣

 Have our simple lunch at this restaurant. Truth is, we have no idea where to eat and so it is down to which restaurant looks "cleaner" from the shop front.

She is making the noodles (much like spaghetti) for the 大盘鸡

The chef is cooking our 大盘鸡。 I see him taking the chicken from his freezer and so I am game to eat the dish. SM struggles through the lunch because she is a cautious person and is always concerned about food cold chain. Sigh!

The famous 清真夹膜

 凉调麻酱粉皮

 The famous 新疆大盘鸡。 The hand-made noodle is “burried“ inside the chicken， potato，chili，onion pieces。

We have our dessert prepared by the stall owner of 蜂蜜凉棕子 and it is delicious！

 逛逛北院门风情街和西羊市

After a bit of rest at DaysInn to recharge our batteries we go to 大雁塔 to have a bit look see at the "musical fountain" display. We find it to be so so and not so interesting or amazing. Nonetheless it is something we tourists try to be tourists and participate.

STOBA Restaurant in Xi'an?

Back to somewhere near DaysInn to find food. Aiyoyo for SM it is so difficult to find the right food for her because most foods are beef or lamb and are spicy. I know this is going to be an issue for it would be difficult to find suitable foods in Xi'an that would suit everyone .....

We settle on this restaurant. I order rice and two vege dishes for me and SM. Xiao Zhang opts for 羊肉手拉面 and it is definitely not my cup of tea - so 腥 aiyoyo. Raymond orders his 牛肉灌汤包子 which is like小龙包 。。。 also not my taste.

There is this pickled garlic 糖蒜 (in the green color plate) which is delicious.

So much for our first day in Xi'an. The day is relaxing and so we can settle in for our big day tomorrow to see the Terracotta Warriors.