Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors...

Okay...first and foremost, in my last post I neglected to write about the most important thing that happened on Jackson's birthday.  He bestowed upon me the sweetest of all gifts...a KISS!  It was such a special moment because it was completely unsolicited.  As I put him to bed, he wrapped his little arms around my neck and kissed my cheek.  IT WAS THE SWEETEST MOMENT and one that I will never forget.  It was EPIC for me! 

On Wednesday, 12/9, we visited Emperor Qin's Terra Cotta Warriors and they were awesome!! Unofficially billed as the 8th Wonder of the World and an archeological treasure that was discovered quite by accident in 1974 by a farmer that was digging a well.  It is such an important find because, although they discovered over 7000 life size warriors of various ranks and positions as well as horses, etc., the site is still an active one.  Many of the "army" are still in their original places beneath the earth because archeologists wanted to wait to unearth them until vast improvements could be made with technology.  Apparently, these figures were originally painted to be very lifelike, but once exposed to air, the paint just chips away.  Obviously they want to do all they can to preserve this treasure (who can blame them?).  The amazing thing to see is that no two figures are alike.  These warriors were modeled after real soldiers.  It just takes your breath away.

Michael impersonating a Terra Cotta Warrior!

Outside the Terra Cotta Warrior Museum

The amazing Pit #1 - this is the largest pit.

No two figures are alike.  Over 7000 solidiers were discovered.

Even Jackson was amazed!

The soldiers faced East - - the direction they expected their enemies to come from.

Some of the soldiers that were successfully unearthed.

This is still an active archeological site.

Giant marionettes supposed to represent the ancient and modern societies.

The day was freezing and the air was awful yet again. Jax and I donned our masks again, but we were both hacking on the way back and I felt very sick that night. I couldn't get warm, my throat became swollen and the coughing was unbearable. We got back in time to put Jackson down for a nap - - he slept for three hours, which was a little longer than usual, but I thought he could use it. We had dinner in our room (noodles) and everyone was in bed by 8pm. Jackson's cough got pretty bad.  All of us suffered.  We hoped (1/2 jokingly) it wasn't black lung!  (Yikes!)

Jackson brushes his teeth before bedtime.

Xi'an Bell Tower

We also visited a porcelain factory - - they were one of the only licensed factories that can make official terra cotta warrior statues. They make miniature and life size. It was pretty cool. If you buy the same statues at the Terra Cotta museum, they cost 2 - 3 times more. Of course, you can buy other statues from any of the gazillion vendors outside for only $1, but by the time you get them home, they'd probably be dust! (They don't fire them and they're very cheap copies.) One cool thing that we did buy at the museum was a book. The farmer that discovered this treasure was there and we had him autograph the book for us. He's almost 80 years old now. He doesn't allow photos to be taken anymore (bummer).

The following day, our guide, Annie, called and she said she woke up with a terrible headache, and was under the weather, too. We were supposed to visit the Muslim part of town and then the world famous "Dumpling Banquet House."  The three of us made an attempt to go to a children's park, but for some reason, the taxi we flagged down wouldn't take us so we walked for a long while and explored the city ourselves.  We received a call later in the afternoon from Annie who said she found a friend to take us on our tour so off we went again.  After visiting the Muslim temple and dumpling house, we were all exhausted and couldn't wait to jump into bed and get warm - - it was another cold day and we were all chilled to the bone.

Roaming around town on our own.

We came across this wonderful street with lots of artisans' shops.

This is an ancient temple from the Chinese Muslim part of town.

We're smiling...really!

Muslim temple that is still in use today.

The Xi'an Bell Tower at night.

On Friday, 12/11, we were to leave for Guangzhou (finally!).  Before heading to the airport, we went with Annie to the 600 year old City Wall that surrounds the city and walked on top.  If offered a beautiful view of the city and is one of the only remaining city walls left in China.

The lovely 600 year old City Wall of Xi'an.

Our last day in Xi'an on the City Wall.

It was hard to believe that we were 1/2 way through our trip already. We didn't want the time to go so quickly, but our time in Xi'an was rough due to the air quality and we realized it was better to head elsewhere.  Jackson was so good.  People in some of the shops and factories that we visited were just drawn to him and they had to talk to him. He came to me to nuzzle as he pretended to be shy. I felt that we were making great strides! These were all good attachment signs. Too cute.  He has made me one happy Mama!

Jackson's first trip by airplane!