Kitty and The Germ » 2009 » October

Xi’an

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

There were a few things we were really looking forward to seeing in China.

First, the Great Wall.

Second, the Terracotta Warriors.

Entry to Terracotta Army Site

We Wonder What Happens If You Have a Hot Day

Kitty & the Germ

Xi’an is now a hot spot and must see on all China tours. Discovered in 1977 in a field by a farmer who was attempting to dig a well, the terra cotta warriors were unearthed. Of course in broken bits, but the Chinese like a good jig saw puzzle and painstakingly, the warriors have been put back together and are now a full Chinese army of 4000 ranging in ranks and include the cavalry. They think the army consists of 8000, but they are still in the process of excavating. We were beyond impressed.

First View of the Great Puzzle (Pit 3)

Archer

Close-up

Every One Is Different

Nice Scarf

Some Horses

The Giant Pit 1

An Army

Site of the Well (Where the Big Dig Started)

Puzzle Work

No One Is Alike

It's an UNESCO World Heritage Site

Xi’an is a small city of 12 million. There is a bustling Muslim market with random food like animal intestines artistically blown up into lovely animal shapes like cows or quail eggs on a stick. The most obnoxious people driving mopeds through tiny, pedestrian filled ancient streets, incessantly honking their horns. Marc got his elbow nailed by a make shift motorized rickshaw.

"Blow Job"

Market

Can You Smell It?

Deep Inside the Market

We had some good food in Xi’an. We have found eating in China much more difficult than we had anticipated. Of course, to compensate we are eating a ridiculous amount of junk as the alternatives are not always great. Bathrooms have not greatly improved. I will never give up wanting a western toilet, toilet paper and soap. Never.