Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and surrounding parks, Xi'an, China: July 12, 2014

Text and photos (c) Robert Barry Francos / FFotos By Francos, 2014
Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them

The night of the first of three consecutive Super Moons, Victor took me to see the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. It was relatively close to where we were staying, but far enough away that we took a taxi. We walked a block to the place, which you could easily see quite a distance. The street was lined with shops and restaurants.

At the base of the Pagoda is a plaza, and the other sides around it are parks filled with families, lots of independent vendors, and foliage. It reminded me a bit of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, NYC.

On the main street, we disembarked from the cab near this sculpture.

The street full of shops and restaurants.

In the plaza near the base of the Pagoda, there was a group of people dancing; I was not sure if it was an exercise or practice. However, I'm pretty sure it was led by this very limber man in the yellow top.

We went to eat at a mall a block or so away, and saw this couple get engaged. She was surprised and happy.



The ceiling of the mall was about the size of a football field, and it's LED lights had a 15 minute show (that repeats all day) expressing the four seasons.

A view of the Pagoda from the mall during sunset, as the show continued above us.

Note the real blue balloon stuck on the ceiling, which showed hot air balloons. Coincidence?

After supper, we walked along the park surrounding the Pagoda. This woman was spinning this top using a whip, keeping it going with a snap.

Lots of vendors were selling toys that had LED lights.

The Super Moon

Even the fountains had LED lights.

And then another cab ride home.

 

"Song of Unending Sorrow" Theater Production, Huaqing Hot Springs, Xi'an, China: July 10, 2014

Text and photos (c) Robert Barry Francos / FFotos By Francos, 2014
Photos can be enlarge by clicking on them After seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors and a bite to eat, Victor took us to an infamous theater show at the base of Mt. Lishan. It tells the story in (prerecorded) music and dance about Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) Emperor Xuanzong, and his favorite concubine, Yang Yuhuan. There are dozens of dancers, light shows, and even the mountain plays a part in the story. Top of the line effects are used, including the rising of a moon, fountains, bridges rising from Nine Dragon Lake, and beautiful costumes.

Joined by Victor's family, the rain was just ending and there was a stunning double rainbow head before the start of the show. Once it began, I began to notice the audience taking flash pictures. This does not bother me, per se, but it's a pet peeve when they do it from a distance of the stage. As the flash only goes about a dozen feet on average (these were cell phone cameras), all you get is the back of the head of the person in front. But I digress... I took non-flash shots, and some actually came out despite the dark and the movement.

They have been doing the same production for years now, as it is the only show the theater troupe apparently does, so you could see some of the meh look of the dancers. This did not, however, detract from the spectacular show.

Now here is a cultural difference I found interesting: in Saskatoon, people give standing ovations for just about anything. At this show, however, when it ended and the cast took its bows (to projected credits behind them like a movie theater), there was a mere smattering of lackadaisical applause, even though it was pretty evident everyone enjoyed the show. Here are the best of my shots.

Pre-show rainbow.

Nine Dragon Lake in front of the Pavilion. Even though we sat near the front, it seemed quite far away.



Victor under the sunset.

Images projected onto a fountain's water.

I love my telephoto lens!



During the cast call, the LED credits roll behind them.