Eat. Drink. Travel. Watch. Listen.
My life in Tokyo and sometimes in other parts of the world, part 2
One of the oldest cities in China, Xi’an’s city center is surrounded by a massive defensive wall built in the 14th century. The 14-km squarish wall can be reached by paying an entrance fee and by going around it on foot, on a golf-cart, or by renting a bicycle (tandems available).
Visited on April 2, 2018.
While I’m not the fussiest person, drinking and eating are two of the most important elements for me when going on trips around the world. Here more of my favorite pastime from Xi’an, China.
Happened between April 1 and 2, 2018.
Years and years ago in Berlin, Germany I came across “rental bikes” whereby you could rent bicycles using your mobile phone. Thought what a convenient system but it was not introduced in Tokyo until fairly recently and it’s not all that common still.
In China, I understand it has become very popular as was the case in Xi’an, China where I recently visited. But you do wonder if the system is working for everyone…
Happened on April 1, 2018.
I always thought plain “Chandon” (as opposed to “Moët Chandon” from Champagne, France but still belonging to the same group of companies LVMH) came from Australia as that is what we see in Japan. But upon my visit to Xi’an, China, I discovered that there was such thing as Domaine Chandon China. Tried it on a couple of occasions partly because drinking wine in China is very challenging while being pricey. I thought this was the safest choice and it was. And apparently there is also Domaine Chandon India.
Happened on March 31 and April 1, 2018.
The “Great Mosque” in the Muslim Quarter of Xi’an, China is in a rather inconspicuous corner of the quarter and unless you know where it is and pay enough attention for signs by looking up while walking, you might just miss it.
Once there, it’s a very peaceful place and both women and men, Muslims or non-Muslims, can visit the same areas of the mosque for the most part except for the prayer room (as is the norm).
Visited April 1, 2018.
After I had been there for a couple of days, I started noticing that the Chinese city of Xi’an’s streets were extremely clean with no trash to be seen. Or there was trash and I saw people trashing on the street but it was being systematically cleaned up in somewhat an obsessive way. It was quite amazing.
On my trip between March 31 and April 2, 2018.
There was so much food I wanted to try in Xi’an, China, especially in the Muslim Quarter where street food was abundant. Here is some of what I missed.
Happened on April 1, 2018.
There is a big Muslim community in the city of Xi’an and the area known as the “Muslim Quarter” has a countless number of shops selling typical local dishes and foods. Went there during lunch time and munched on a grilled lamb-with-chili skewer, crumbled flatbread in mutton stew (yangrou paomo), and fresh fruit buffet sold by weight.
Visited on April 1, 2018.
It’s another Chinese city but I just find any ordinary thing quite fascinating.
Happened on March 31 and April 1, 2018.
Lunching in the vicinity of the terracotta warriors. Missing homemade noodle shops which were quite prominent amongst other food vendors and eateries.
Had the Xi’an version of a hamburger or “roujiamo” followed by a chestnut soft-serve from the McDonald’s which almost felt fitting… ^^
Visited on March 31, 2018.
Eat. Drink. Travel. Watch. Listen. 