a delightfully smoggy day in Xi'an

Our hotel in Xi'an has a gym! and a pool! I never thought my body would be so happy for an opportunity for movement.  Yesterday, Jake instructed a P90X workout for me and Caroline and then the two of us went for a swim, and this morning, Jamie and I woke up and I ran and he swam.  It was a. mazing.
Afterwards, Jamie and I went out into the city to see the Great Mosque. I'm so glad we went. Such a beautiful structure.  It was built in 742 and is still in use by the Muslims of Xi'an today.  We heard some type of prayer service going on while we were walking around outside.  It took every ounce of our beings to be respectful Americans and not peek inside.
To get to the Mosque we had to go down a back alley that was packed with tiny little shops.  Jamie took me into a tea shop that he had explored yesterday and "Rose" (I can't remember her Chinese name, but Rose was the English name she had picked for herself), the tea lady sat us down for a tea tasting and had us sample about 4 different types of tea.  One was a beautiful Litchi flower pod, that blossomed in the boiling water.  It was really tasty too.  We also had a black tea with litchi, that Rose said helps the skin (litchi) and stomach (the black? haha).  We also had the best green tea I've ever had.  It tasted and smelled just like bananas!  I bought the litchi tea, with a tea pot and cup that one of you lucky's gets when I get back to the states.  Guess who you are??? (:  Anyway, it was a lovely time with Jamison.
Now-I'm on my way to our first show in Xi'an.  Our venue is too small, so they have to cut the towers in half! Just a two-level Fame for the next week!
love love love!