To Mt Huashan 24.9.13

The four of us were ready at 6.30 am to be taken to the very fast train to Xian.  We were left at the door of the station and found our way to the correct waiting room, then boarded the train without incident.  All very efficient.  The train was spacious, comfortable, with excellent  seating and views through the windows. Ladies came along at regular intervals with food and for rubbish collection. Toilets good and western.  The train reached speeds of 300 kmph.  We passed through many areas of corn growing.  Also passed many huge cities with enormous numbers of high rise apartment buildings, all seemingly identical.  Quite an eye opening train ride over 6 hours. 
We were met in Xian by our guide "Puma".  Seems a nice guy.  The hotel didn't have our rooms ready so we went walking to see the Bell and Drum Towers. Found our way through underpasses.  Xian appeals to us all. 8 million people here. It is much more attractive than Beijing. At the Drum Tower we were fortunate to coincide with a demonstration of drum playing. Very loud.  Spectacular costumes. 
We went to a pancake restaurant for dinner for dinner with Puma.  Like Peking Duck pancakes with egg and pork and potato dishes to wrap in the pancakes.  Fairly ordinary food.   

Line up of drums outside the Tower

 

Drums in variety

 

A beautifully decorated drum