Final Stop: Xi'an-- City of Western Peace

We flew from Dunhuang to Xi'an, a major city. Our hotel room in Xi'an had our first soft mattress. It felt good. We stayed two nights in Xi'an. The first day, we went to the Xi'an wall, a 9-mile long massive wall around the old city. It is reminiscent of the Great Wall of China in many ways.

We went to the Terra Cotta Warriors during it's busiest week, but managed to see everything--so incredible, it's hard to imagine an emperor with that much power. He had nearly a million people working on the project to memorialize himself. His actual tomb is still buried, along with what many consider to be room after room of treasure. They are waiting for technology to find a way to preserve these treasures once opened up to the air. The warriors that were uncovered lost their color within a few days because of the oxygen in the air. All but one of the 8,000 warriors were smashed by a mob of people anciently, and archaeologists have painstakingly put them back together. It's still ongoing, and the massive pits where they're buried show a large number of broken warriors. They're housed in aircraft hanger-like buildings.

Neil Thompson, being very tall, was a huge hit at this site. Families couldn't wait to get their picture taken with him. He was a rock star.

In the evening of the final night, we had front row seats at a cultural dance event. It was absolutely wonderful, extremely colorful.

At a store and workshop outside of the Terra Cotta museum, they have these photo opportunities. Should I get this new suit? I showed this picture to my students and they thought it was hilarious.

The largest, most complicated Chinese character "biang" which is a "noodle."

Laraine trying to get a glimpse of the warriors.

Her first glimpse, now how do I step away and move to another viewpoint?

Warriors who are still in pieces.

Rock Star, Neil Thompson

This is how the Chinese potty train their kids. Usually, there is no diaper. Typically, they teach the child to squat and use the potty through this split in the pants, and they don't deal with diapers. This is unusual. 

This farmer was paid $100 US dollars for finding the warriors. However, because Bill Clinton wanted to meet him, he became a celebrity and it changed his life. 

Up to the Xi'an city wall. 

Jody Boulton and Laraine at the wall

The wall is quite wide. Here Laraine stands on top. You can rent bicycles and ride around it.

Some of the many unusual treats at the Muslim market in Xi'an. We only had about 20 minutes to explore.

From our front-row seat

This man did things with this instrument and with his voice that I didn't think were humanly possible. 

A view of the Xi'an wall guard station at night.