Hero

Trip Start Jul 16, 2007
1
30
39
Trip End Dec 07, 2007


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of China  ,
Saturday, November 3, 2007

Arrived at the home of the first Chinese emporer, Qin, the dude in Hero.  He basically united China by killing off the leaders of the other states, then built the Great Wall.  Kind of like Stalin on steroids, his final act was to order artisans to create the terracotta armies, and by way of thanks, have them buried alive.  Nice chap!  Still, he had some admirers in China, Mao among them.  We went out to see the warriors and it was amazing, lines and lines of the badboys, each with different expressions and garments.  Originally they were all painted aswell.  Bought the compulsory fake outside (the local guide gave us more time in the shop than to see the warriors!!!) and had our book signed by the grumpy farmer who discovered them.  He's met the potential first man, Bill Clinton, so I guess we were a bit of a come-down.

Xian is also home for our illustrious tour guide, Vivian, and the original capital of China.  More importantly, it had a Starbucks.  Sad huh, three weeks away and we want western stuff.  We did do some shopping in the Muslim area and saw the aftermath of a scaffolding collapse.  We also ate in a great little restaurant (sweet and sour, yum) where the waitress gave Gabrielle a Chinese style cutsie mirror and comb!  What about me?  What about my needs???

Anyways, Gabrielle also went off to a Xian opera performance, with lots of dumplings for dinner (yum again).
Slideshow

Use this image in your site

Copy and paste this html: