Xi'an Night Life

Tonight, I shall review the Nightlife of Xi'an as a whole based on a single incident. Because we live in a fast-paced world, those of you who have better things to do can know simply that i find it wanting, and go about your business.

For those of you interested in details, this was my evening. After dinner Grant found out his girl was going to be out and about and thus had nothing to do. This struck me as a good time to match the "go out and get silly on fermented stuff" template for young gentlemen. Strangers in a strange land gots to grok some good times.

Citing financial situations, he says no. So i basically drag him to the local pool hall where we proceed to suck for about half an hour, he refuses to drink, we go home. This is at about 9 pm. I decide I don't want to spend my friday night on the intarwubs, and hit the streets.

I make it to the Rock Bar of choice (Music Man, located in the abandoned amusement park) by about 10, to find the exact same band as was playing last sunday playing the exact same songs at the exact same time for the exact same length of time. What the goodness. I was hoping at least for some different people? Surely there are 2 rock bands in Xi'an? On top of that, the bassist for this band apparently owns the bar, which gives it this kind of narcissistic feel. I don't like the idea that to be a successful band in this town you have to build your own venue around yourself. The prices were all the same, the cheapest thing being a 15 yuan bottle of budweiser.

Let me be perfectly clear. I flew for 18 hours to get an ocean away from two things: crappy domestic beer and The Cure. Now, I'm feeling good being that far from The Cure as they are a silly band. But I decided that this bar smelled bad, was mad crowded, didn't even have a place to dance or rock out, and was basically a regular bar with vague affectations of rock-ness. It offended me, personally, and i decided to take my business elsewhere.

Elsewhere ended up being a convenience store, also in the abandoned amusement park. I amused them with my rudamentary chinese, bought a big bottle of good local beer for 3 yuan (1/5 the price of stupid budweiser, hah!) and we discussed the merits of using a grapefruit rind as a hat. I said it looked good, and they gave me some grapefruit, which I ate while singing "Friend is a Four Letter Word" on the carousel, which i suspect hadn't moved for years.

This, i found, was a fine substitute, and as far as I am concerned is the entirity of the night life in this country. That and reading the China Daily while drinking coffee at 11 pm in starbucks while listening to nondescript jazz. Also, I would point out that not once have i paid more than 15 yuan for taxi fare home, and nobody has driven around in circles for any period of time, so all the people who warned me about it, thanks, but i'm cool.

Regarding Keytar Concerns: It is hardly worth it to me to travel to beijing to pick up an 80's throwback instrument, even if it is a totally rad 80's throwback instrument. However, I may make a career out of purchasing keytars and then selling them on Ebay for several hundred dollars. Strike while the iron is hot. Make hay while the sun shines. Sell Keytars while the 80's are still hilariously Ironic.

I was gonna go look at the instrument store today, but then I didn't. Maybe I will tommorow? I'll bring my camera, so if i find anything truly excellent I can post pictures. After all, with a Night Life like Xi'an has, i clearly need something else to do with my time.