Hot Pot Take Two

The famous Chinese dish, hotpot, originated in Chongqing and there are many hotpot restaurants in the area. On Friday evening, Bob's Chinese co-faculty invited us to dinner at a hot pot restaurant. The gathering included almost the entire NAU -CQUPT team.  Lukas and Noah had a chance to experience this much talked about dish.  We had been told it is not the kind of meal that we could go out to eat on our own and after our two experiences with hot pot, I agree. Ordering requires strong Chinese language skills and a familiarity with local food options.  The peanut milk that is served first is essential, coating the stomach in preparation for the red-hot spicy oil covered morsels. We also asked for rice although it is not commonly served with hot pot.

Slicing cucumber

After cooking in the hot oil, the food is dipped in the individual bowls of oil, and if desired left to drip off before eating

Market Area

Xian had a vibrant market area called the Muslim Quarters where one could purchase almost anything and eat everything. We wandered around and bargained for goods. Although much tempted us, our weight limits traveling back prevent us from going overboard, and others would not make it through custom.

At night, the area had a festival like atmosphere, with bright lights, loud noises, and crowds of people.

Her headpiece is made of silver

Expert butcher even on a flimsy plastic stool

Pans stacked so high he needs a chair to reach the top layer of dumplings

Maybe not meeting US health standards

probably stomach?

beautiful breads made by machine below

looking for bargains

we did not try these

more bargain shopping

Food!

One of our favorite things in Xian was exploring the Muslim Quarters and taste all the fantastic food. Since we left early in the morning for the Terracotta Warriors, we did not have a 'proper' breakfast but rather snacked ourselves through the exhibit. Back in town, we were hungry! It was a joy to walk from stall to stall, tasting and trying, munching and sipping, discovering new favorites and some no need to try again dishes. We basically ate our way through the Muslim Quarters both Saturday and Sunday.

It was equally enjoyable to walk the streets during the day as at night - still crowded, still vendors calling out their wares using megaphones and clappers, still new sensations for our noses from the scents raising from cook-tops.  On Sunday morning, we discovered the less traveled part of the quarters and ate with the locals - that food tasted even better and cost a whole lot less. It was indeed a culinary delight to walk these streets.

Cotton candy art

Ready to be juiced - Pom has true competition

Rolled up ice cream, it is never too cold to try a new ice cream idea

The vendor used a paint scraper (hopefully clean) to pull up rolls of ice cream that she had just mixed up on the cold surface

City Wall Walk

Before taking the train back to Chongqing on Sunday morning, we walked part of the city wall.  The wall is almost 40 ft tall, 45 feet wide, and there are towers every 400 feet for a total of 98 around the city.  Had the weather cooperated, we could have biked the 8+ miles, but since it was only 28 degrees, we opted to bundle up and do a brisk walk of part of the structure. As we walked, the sun came out, warming us up. We even saw our shadow!  Bob timed our entrance and exit such that we ended up back in our favorite food area - the Muslim Quarters. It was enjoyable to see the city from above, such a mix of ancient and modern.

Hmmm???

Again, who would need to be told this?