To see the previous posts of their trip, go to “Older Post” found at the bottom of the page.

07/06/12 The past 2 days have been CRAZY!!

Yesterday morning, after a 3 hour delay we finally arrived in Xi'an and went straight to the Terra Cotta Soldiers.
That was the highlight of the trip so far for me. 
They were every bit as stunning in person as they seem in pictures. 
Here are just a few of the many I took :-)

 

 

 

 

 

This is the farmer who actually found the Soldiers in 1974.  The government ended up buying all of his land but didn't compensate him for it.  He was uneducated and couldn't even write his name, so several years ago someone had the idea to teach him to sign his name so he could charge 20 yuan (about $3) for a signature and picture with him.  I think he's getting well compensated now!

Next, we went to a Tang Dynasty show.  It was pretty good but we were all so tired I don't think we fully enjoyed it.

After the show was a dumpling dinner which was very tasty, but there weren't any of the fancy looking ones that we've heard about.  We finally checked into our room at 10 pm, then had to go back to the desk because the key wouldn't work.  We were in the lobby this morning by 7:00 to head to a 600 year old wall that you could walk or ride a bike on.  We had to get our guide to help get Syd a bike, the people thought she was too small and wouldn't let her have one.  The guide yelled for a bit and away we went.  Well, I walked...

Off to a pottery place that makes replicas of the Terra Cotta Soldiers, Syd actually got to make one!  It's a pretty cool place!

Off to the airport to wait for a 45 minute delay.  That's 3 flights since we left home that have been delayed, what's going on?  Now we're in Chengdu trying not to fall asleep so we can Skype the boys in a while.  3 cities in 2 days, bleh, it was a bit too much but Syd has been holding up better than me. 

Tomorrow, panda panda panda!!!!!