One of the biggest lessons I've learned as I've traveled is to remain flexible, release expectations, and accept what the universe offers you. If you can follow these words of wisdom, you'll have an easier time staying sane and in the present moment as the world seemingly falls.
Those bits of advice couldn't have rung more true in a recent visit to Xi'an, China. My partner and I planned to spend a few days in Xi'an, mainly to see the Terra Cotta Army. We arrived at Xi'an amid National Day (more like week lol). How awesome we got to observe how folks celebrate this holiday, I thought! Yet, little did I know that the much-lauded day would put a monkey-wrench in our plans.
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| It would've been awesome to see this historically significant place. Photo by Lai Sanders on Unsplash |
As my partner and I were in the cab on our way to the Terra Cotta Army, our very kind cabbie told us that the museum was solidly booked and that we would not be able to get in. He then proceeded to call the museum to confirm and explained that because it was National Day, the museum was fully booked for the next few days! Whoa... first, I had no idea we needed to make a reservation (now I know you need to make a reservation for practically any culturally significant place in China). Second, wow, I had no idea how National Day would affect visitation to any major tourist attractions like it did, most popular places to see no longer took reservations. Our main plan was shot, literally, the only thing on our agenda was to see the Terra Cotta Army! What to do now?
We discussed with our cab driver other options and ended up going to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (what a name huh! It's worth reading the story of its origin). We chose this place as it was close to where we were, and there was the Tang Paradise Park nearby we could walk to.
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| The majestic Big Goose flies freely in the rain. |
We arrived near the pagoda, a downpour marked our ad-hoc day. As we walked, we could see people dressed in cultural attire. How fun I thought! As we neared the Big Goose, more and more people were dressed up. I joke with my partner if she would dress up, I would too. We began to pass by multiple kiosks at the temple walls offering costumes, and well, when in Rome... despite the rain, despite the change in plans, we were going to enjoy our day in Xi'an dressed to the nines!
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| How to strike a pose in Xi'an. |
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| There were many kiosks like this offering people the chance to dress up in the ancient capital! |
We both got costumes and began to tour around the temple in our garb. The cost to rent the costumes was 100 kwai for the whole day! We took copious photos in our cultural fits and even got asked to take a photo by a curious resident as well. We walked to Tang Paradise and had dinner at a noodle shop, eating Xi'an's own Biang Biang noodles! It seemed everyone was out and about exactly where we were, we just joined in on the fun! We took the metro back to our hotel, exhausted, but our hearts full.
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All smiles as we paraded Xi'an in our costumes!
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Me and Monk Xuanzang take pics with the Wild Goose behind us.
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Me trying to look cool lol.
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We enjoyed our stroll under these hanging strands of sutras on the side of the temple!
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| Biang Biang! Look how thick those are (insert that's what she said joke)! |
As travelers, you are going to be faced with the unexpected. You can make a stink about it, or make the best out of what is presented. We had to be flexible and release expectations of going to see the Terra Cotta Army. Once we accepted our fate, we were able to make space and had a great evening exploring the area around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, stretched ourselves by doing something out of the ordinary, and tried local food and public transport. Hiccups in your plans are bound to happen. When it does, take a deep breath, center yourself, and make room for whatever the universe has in store. Dressing up in costume makes it even better haha! Light and Aloha 🙏🏽🤙🏽
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| Much Light and Aloha 🙏🏽 🤙🏽 from Xi'an. |
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