Nightlife

We met some of Lemon's friends, many who studied in NZ, and went for some traditional dinners. Being a Muslim centre, the food is fantastic. We went to a BBQ house which was a little like Wellington yum char - they bring around kebabs, fish and beer and you just grab what you want. Lemon's friend Shuai was the best guide, and she took us to all the cool places to bargain and shop, and then to the local club. I thought it would be full of foreigners, but I was the only one there among throngs of rich, stylish locals all playing dice-assisted drinking games and dancing to American and Chinese pop. It was huge; easily the flashest club I've ever been to with posh bars, lights, big sound system, and windows overlooking immaculate courtyard gardens and ponds.
It was strange at first as security was so tight - they screen bags and you walk through a metal detector to enter, and around the perimeter of the bar guards with hard hats and vests stand about 10m apart overseeing things. It was odd at first, but no one else seemed to notice them.
What a great place Xi'an is!