Xi’an and the Terra-cotta Soldiers

Today we got a very early start so that we could be first in line at the terra-cotta soldiers museum. It was a great idea as it became very busy very fast. We got good views of the enormity of the place.  Thousands of terra-cotta warriors, who were built solely for the purpose of being buried to protect the Emperor in death, yet they were destroyed before serving their purpose.  Such a massive undertaking both to construct, but also to destroy!  Tour guide Ray confirmed that to date, not a single warrior has been found in one piece. The people revolted as soon as they heard the Emperor was dead, and they stole all of the weapons these soldiers held and smashed everything. They are still uncovering many new pieces daily, and putting together possibly the biggest jigsaw puzzle known to man.

After the museum, we went to a local restaurant that also worked in terra-cotta and the constructed their own warriors!  You could even get one modeled after your own face. I neglected to see what that honor would cost. 🤪 we were then showed the burial mound where the Emperor still rests, and they do not plan to excavate. 

We then had a few hours to relax back at the hotel before our evening excursion of dinner theater telling the story of the only female Emperor who took the throne upon her husbands death. It was nice, but soooo tired and we have an extra early wake up call tomorrow as we must leave the hotel by 6am to catch our flight to Tibet.  I’m excited, but now very nervous about my naivety about elevations and what can happen at high altitudes. Fingers crossed I don’t experience altitude sickness. 

Relaxing day

Today was a bit more relaxing than the last few. After packing our bags and breakfast, we were bussed to the old town for a nice little rickshaw ride. Our poor driver certainly worked hard on those inclines!  We then were able to go inside a little home that has been in this family’s possession for generations. This particular family had been selected to also host Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Phelps when they came to town.  Very modest home, about 1,000 sq ft in total, no plumbing (they share in a community bath house) and I didn’t even see a refrigerator.  The family that lived there comprised of 5 people, an unmarried woman, and her brothers family.  The niece was also there and demonstrated her art of bottle painting. Truly beautiful work!  Amazing how one can paint the interior of a bottle with such precision.

After the home visit, our rickshaw drivers took us back to the busses so that we could head to the airport for our flight to Xi’an. We arrived early and were bussed to our new hotel, the Hyatt Regiency Xi’an. Beautiful!  After dinner, Diane, Dave and I went for a nice walk, attempting to go around the lake behind our hotel. We didn’t make it the whole way.  I didn’t get a picture, but had the cutest little girl “trying out” her English on us. On our way back, the whole family did as well!!    They were so excited, and sounded good!  Tomorrow we leave early to go see the Terra Cotta Soldiers. I’m excited because the hotel has flat irons for loan, so I can finally have some normal hair for a few days. Ha!

Day 3-The Great Wall and the Ming Tombs

Today started bright and early, but since I slept from about 9:30-4:30, I finally felt decently rested. We headed down for breakfast at 6:00 with a 7:00 departure time for the Great Wall. It was about a 1:20 hour bus ride, but we got a nice history lesson from guide, Ray. We learned about the one child rule — this began in 1980 and just recently ended in 2015. If someone were to have a second child in this time frame, they must pay a fine to the government in the sum of about $30k. One time fee only. Lol. The rich would often decide to foot the bill and go for a second child. If someone became pregnant with a second or more child and didn’t have the money, the government would find out what they did have and take most. Schooling is free, but preschool is not. Between ages 3-6, the cost for preschool costs about $30k annually. We also learned about other aspects in the Chinese life. In order to own a car, one must enter a lottery drawing first to see if they are allowed to purchase one. Ray indicated he has a friend that has been waiting 5 years. Once your name is drawn, you are given documentation to take to the car dealership to purchase. A Toyota Camry is usually around $30k (they seem to like that number). Imports, such as a Jeep Wrangler would likely cost you about $100k due to a 40-50% import tax. Gas raverages about $4-5 / gallon.  They also dictate one day per week that you cannot drive your car. If you do, you are fined (and they are watching via cameras). From now on, whenever I doubt how great America is, I will think about all of this.

We made it to the wall and had beautiful weather, but that sun does get hot. We also made it before crazy crowds.

After the Wall, we had lunch at a shop where they carved and sold jade. It was beautiful!  Lunch was good, as usual. Dad and I bought some goodies-namely, he spoiled me with a jadeite necklace. He also bought himself a beautiful dragon sculpture. 

After lunch and the jade shop, we walked through the Ming Tombs and then back to the hotel. Tonight, we go for a traditional Peking Duck at a local favorite. 

Dinner was awesome-as always, too much food,

but the duck was divine!