Day 41:

Okay, this hostel is pretty nice during the day. It's got a relaxed atmosphere and very clean facilities. And although the breakfast is bad, everyone sleeps late because of the nighttime boozing, so the morning are quiet. Overall, I'd say it is a bit nicer than Saga Hostel in Beijing.

The name, for Google's sake is "Bell Tower Hostel." It's beside the post office.

Xi'an, also, is nice enough overall. For more than a thousand years, Xi'an was at the heart of the Chinese nation, serving as capital for many, many centuries. Past emperors have left behind many tangible signs of power, including the famous army of Terracotta Warriors and an impressive 16 kilometer wall that surrounds the central city.

There is a very nice Muslim quarter here, which is where I spent most of my morning. There's a strip of merchants selling the usual trinkets, but also a slew of wonderful alleyways and cobblestone paths to explore. Those pathways contain a lot of great local eateries and I was able to gorge myself on tofu, squash and cabbage for about seventy-five US cents. This town's mosque, the largest in China, is also a treat, with pretty gardens and a massive prayer hall.

More of Xi'an tomorrow, as well as a train into the west.