Chinese History Lecture - Students - Shaanxi Museum of History - Dumpling Tasting - Shaanxi Grand Opera House

Tai chi this morning in the side lobby.  Then a great breakfast buffet (you name it, they had it!) and off we went to the Xi'an International Studies University where we enjoyed an outstanding lecture by Prof. Yang Hongying on Chinese History and Culture. 

She did a marvelous job presenting a lot of information with great humor.  In a couple of hours she went from the Prehistoric age to the modern era.  We all had a wonderful time and were impressed with her command of English.  Following our talk we went to the dining room at the school and had lunch. 

 

We then met our students and walked through campus as they practiced their English.  They are in a program that will lead them to jobs as translators and both of ours had a fair understanding, though mine was very shy when speaking it.  After about 40 minutes we headed back and then were back on the bus and off to the Shaanxi Museum of History.

This museum focuses on the Han, Qin and Ming dynasties.

 Bronzes...

 instruments...

 porcelains...

 This tea pot did not have a lid. You filled it from
the bottom and it had a stand pipe in the middle.

 and Buddas.

 We then headed to the Art Museum
where there were examples of  many

 of the traditional Chinese art forms.

Here we got a calligraphy lesson.

 The 7 different strokes used in words.

 

 Mei working on our different names in Chinese.

John and Jean in Chinese.

 

Then back on the bus with a quick stop to comb your hair and wash 

your face and we were off to the Shaanxi Grand Opera House.  

This lady was playing for us during in our Dumpling Tasting.

 20 different fillings and styles of dumplings...

it was almost overwhelming.

Very tasty...but they really rushed you through them....

 

because the show was about to begin!

 

 They focus on music and dance of the Tang Dynasty.

 It was very entertaining with the traditional 

instruments, songs and dancing!

Time to head back to the hotel for 10 pooped puppies!  They certainly keep us on our toes and busy!

GREAT Day!