When China Called: Xi'an Part 4
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| View out off the 11th floor at Grand Noble Hotel, Xi’an, Photo Credit: Mohamed Hakim |
Breakfast this morning was interesting; it felt as if I didn't make it to Xi'an yet. The day also sort of started on the wrong foot with me dashing out of the elevator unto the wrong floor as two Americans, I presume, walked in.
At the entrance to the dining hall, after I provided my room card to be scanned for entry, I was surprised to see, and hear, many English and Australian guests. It was interesting to see the expressions on the faces of the few Chinese, I presume, as they felt, I think, out of place. Fascinating note: historically foreigners were not, probably still are not in some places, allowed to stay except at designated hotels (2013 Decoding China, Christensen, p. 57).
The sun rises early and sets early in Xi’an in September. I just finished breakfast and it is already a bright morning. Out my room's window a view of many high buildings, at least when contrasted by mostly flat Philadelphia, PA, USA. I can see a big shopping mall, “Chicony”. Its roof is slightly above eye level, a considerable height when taking into consideration that my room is on the 11th floor of the Grand Noble hotel! Most buildings in this area are about the same height as the “Chicony” building, with some reaching higher.
I tire of waiting for my guide, I pass by the restroom, and I notice a retractable clothesline attached to the walls surrounding the bathtub. You can use the
string/clothesline, as a temporary hanger of sorts.
Then, I start to ponder my own physiology. I’m starting to feel like I have a universal face. I couldn't count how many attempted to converse with me in Mandarin. The challenge is perhaps that the majority of the population does not know enough English to make for a fluid conversation or it may just be an expectation to know language while staying in China. I am however convinced that my face has something to do with it. In the past people attempted to converse with me in Hindi and Portuguese, neither of which I know. No matter,
knowing some Mandarin can prove useful even if you hired a guide.
I will highlight a few such occasions in due time.
To be continued...
