Mutton soup in the ancient capital (China)

My friends in China are often disappointed at me for not visiting the famous tourist spots - the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. I tell them I prefer the non-touristy parts. I love interacting with people, learn about their lives and sometimes their secrets.

I saw a bargain air ticket to Xi’an (from Chengdu). To figure out what I was missing about tourist places, I bought the ticket and flew up there. I decided to give the Terracotta Warriors a miss. I ended up staying in the mostly Muslim old quarter for the mutton soup. Most people here are the Hui, the Han Chinese Muslim people. I was happy chatting with the food sellers and occasional students from the nearby university who came for the cheap food and a chance to talk to foreigners.

One Hui lady, when she learnt that I am single, offered to introduce a relative to me. She thought I was from one of those rich Middle Eastern countries.