Randy and Vicki's Tuesday Update

Well, Randy has suggested I (Vicki) write this update. I think this is because I woke up super-early and am already ready to go, while he is just getting in the shower.

We started our Monday morning with a breakfast buffet at the hotel (good, but not as good as in Japan ) and boarded the bus for our trip to see the Terra Cotta warriors. They are amazing – gave us goosebumps! An emperor had the warriors, horses, and chariots all made and entombed because he wanted an army with him in the afterlife so he could still be in power. He even had the warriors armed with real weapons. At a later time, the peasants revolted, broke into the tombs, smashed most of the warriors and stole many of the weapons, thus using the emperor’s own weapons against him! The site was discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, and has been partially excavated. The original warriors were all painted. Excavation has been ceased since about 1996 because the Chinese want to develop technology to preserve what color remains before continuing. When exposed to air, any remaining color fades.

It was an awesome sight to see and experience.

We had lunch at the site and then were taken to a Buddhist temple. It was not as crowded as the one we visited in Japan , and had some very pretty gardens. Still, we find the Buddhist sites depressing. The people seem so lost.

We were given the option of attending a performance of Chinese music and dance in the evening and we willingly paid the extra fee to go. It was very enjoyable – excellent music, beautiful costumes, and graceful dancers. We especially liked the ribbon dancers, as well as sharing the experience with our traveling companions from Colombia , South America . I’m working on my Spanish, and they are working on their English!

Today we go to climb the city wall of Xi an and we fly out later in the afternoon to Kunming to the South. We will fly over the earthquake area, but as hazy as it is here much of the time, I doubt we will be able to see firsthand any of the damage.

Well, it’s time to get the suitcases ready for bellhops to pick up. They take them to the airport and pre-check them in. We won’t see our checked luggage again until Kunming ! It’s a little scary, but that’s how our tour company has it set up – it’s worked so far.

Have a great day – or evening – I forget – it’s Tuesday morning at 7:05 am, so that would be 6:05 Monday evening for you!

Thanks again for all the messages you have been sending – we do love hearing from back home!

Vicki (and Randy)