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Monday, October 30, 2017

Journey to the Terracotta Warriors

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Where do you start?

When you have been gone for more than a week and there is so much to post about.  Just WHERE do you jump in to pick up where you left off?

I’m not sure I can!

My head and my heart are so full of experiences, ideas, sights, sounds, smells --

I walked through my front door at about 5pm last evening, and yet I felt like a different person visiting a distant memory.

Traveling will do this to you.  You come back a different person with wider views than when you left.

So I’ll start here.  With the funny Terracotta Warrior photo ops that Jill and I had outside of the Terracotta Factory outside of Xi’an.

Do Jill & I have our fierce warrior faces on or what?

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Entrance to the factory store.

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Replicas in production.

Since the discovery of the warriors, replica making has been in high demand.  You can even order one for your back garden with your own face on it for a few thousand dollars.

The cool thing though, the warriors were being made in much the same way as the original ones were.  Fired clay.  Life size.  And we could touch them.

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And in miniature!

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Kiln.

I can’t imagine how they made these statues more than 2,000 years ago –

Farmers digging a well in a field approximately 20 miles east of Xi’an stumbled upon a pit containing 6,000 life-size terra cotta statues in March of 1974. The site was soon identified as the burial place of Emperor Qin, and excavations began almost immediately. Historians now believe that some 700,000 workers worked for nearly three decades on the mausoleum. 

So far, archaeologists have uncovered a 20-square-mile compound, including some 8,000 terra cotta soldiers, along with numerous horses and chariots, a pyramid mound marking the emperor’s tomb, remains of a palace, offices, store houses and stables. 

In addition to the large pit containing the 6,000 soldiers, a second pit was found with cavalry and infantry units and a third containing high-ranking officers and chariots.

A fourth pit remained empty, suggesting that the burial pit was left unfinished at the time the emperor died in September, 210 BC. He was 50 years old.

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Our first glimpse of pit 1

By decree of the 2nd Emporer, Qin’s son – all of his father’s concubines and ladies who had no children were ordered to follow the emperor to the grave.  Many of the tomb builders were also buried alive to preserve the secrecy of the tomb.

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Oxen.

In the HanShu (book of Han) the emperor's funeral was described as follows: “Thousands of officials were killed and thousands of craftsmen were buried alive in order to keep the tomb secret.”

(My mind can not wrap around this at this time!)

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Zooming in for a closer look.

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Even the animals were amazing in detail.

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The archer – behind glass.

The incredible thing is that  these were all so individual.  Wrinkles in the sleeves, every hair on the head, eyebrows, different beards, mustaches and expressions – you just can’t put it into words.

One thing I found interesting is that all of the heads are separate from the bodies.  So they could be turned and positioned as the emperor wanted. It also made quite of the few “headless” warriors look exceptionally creepy!

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Check out the hair and the detail on the sole of his shoe.

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Horse & rider behind glass.

You can see every muscle in the horse’s body.

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Pit of pieces and parts.

The saddest thing of all was the piles of terracotta parts – arms, legs, bodies, heads – that had crumbled over the centuries.  The place is still a work in progress, and there are teams still carefully excavating, working at night to keep the dust down so that the tourists and view during the day.  We were happy that our admission helps fund the research.

The Emporer’s mausolem is about 1.5 kilometers away, a mountain in size, and unopened.  We were told that they are waiting for technology to improve to the point that fine relics would not be lost or damaged when exposed to air and elements.

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Such an incredible day!

I’ve put together my video clips and more photos in the slide show below.  Totally amateur, but there are too many to post one by one here in the blog.


I'll never forget this day.

Remember to use your pause button to stop, spend more time, really look, rewind, play again.

If you are unable to view the video here, try a different browser (Explorer is a problem culprit, I use Chrome) or view on my YouTube Channel.

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The 8th wonder of the world.

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Autumn splendor walking to the pit area.

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Persimmon tree.

SO glad for color and blue skies after a day of terracotta grey.

Today I begin putting my life in somewhat of a normal order!  Starting with unpacking suitcases and getting laundry going.  Settling in to getting copious amounts of mail order out.

Word from Idaho regarding my Father-in-Law is that things are winding down and his organs are starting to fail.  After much talk with The Hubster, who was there all last week and will be staying all of this week as well, as long as needed through this process, we have decided that I will head out to Idaho when we know the time has come for me to do so.  Hospice is there.  Many other family members are there.  I was able to video chat with my Father-in-Law while in China and I am glad for that.  I will go for the funeral when the time comes.

My heart is twisted with so many feelings, but there are already “too many cooks in the kitchen” there right now so to speak, and I will wait until I hear word that I should come.

If you missed that we are having a Quilty Box Gift-Away during my time gone, there is still time to join in by entering ON THAT POST.  The drawing is this evening.

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Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Shut out the chaos and noisiness of other voices and opinions and listen to your own heart!

My mantra for today.

Have a peaceful Monday, everyone!


27 comments:

Donna (Brentwood CA) said...

So sorry to hear about your dear father in law. I recently lost my mom to Alzheimer’s so I definitely feel your pain. Hugs to you and your family.

quilt^nurse said...

Enjoyed viewing your China trip. I had the opportunity to go back in late 80’s. The Terra-cotta warriors, we could not take pictures or videos. They said if we were caught they would take our film. You are right the sights and sounds are amazing. We went during spring and there was not much color in trees and fields. The bright colors of Chinese goods really stood out. I remember following your color flag so you don’t get lost. The people always were starring at our light colored hair. The smog and air pollution was great at that time and now there are even more cars. My sister and I cam back with a bad chest cold probably due to air. We nice named the cold the “China cough” having it for several weeks. Look forward to this year’s mystery and your future blogs on China. Brought back some great memories. The Great Wall is also amazing. Bigger than it looks. We also went to Hong Kong and that is equally an amazing city.

Unknown said...

Peaceful thoughts to you and your family.

Mary said...

Prayers for your Hubsters family as they say farewell to their Father. A very tender time for sure. Get rested up for the trip West again, whenever that occurs. Hugs for you!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

thanks for sharing your trip with us - love seeing the photos and hearing all about it. Sorry for the pain your family is going through with your father in law - been there done that - not a happy time for sure but family does help you get though it.

Unknown said...

Sad time for all. Prayers for family. Loved all your adventures from China. Thanks Bonnie

Unknown said...

First time poster here. Very sorry to hear about your father-in-law. It's very difficult to say goodbye isn't it. I enjoyed your pictures of your China trip. That's one place I will probably never visit. Too many people to deal with. I guess the older I get the less I want to be around crowds of people. Would love to win the Quilty Box. Never won anything. Thanks again and looking forward to your mystery quilt this year. Peace, Julie

Dorothy Matheson said...

Hugs to your family especially your husband.
My father passed after an illness of many months and my brother suddenly. I do not know which was worse. I am glad to have had the time to spend with my father. The memories are tender.

Tammie said...

I think it’s nice that the family has the time to say goodbye to your father-in-law. At a point, we’re ready for them to sleep in death so they are no longer suffering and it’s easier to let them go. It is so much harder for them to be there one minute and gone the next. Being an emergency medical responder, I see that all the time and it’s so hard. There’s no time to plan or say goodbye. Prayers go out to you and the family. Thank you for taking time for us during all this. We feel so privileged that you do so.

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

Thank you so much for sharing your trip! Best wishes to you during this difficult time.

Unknown said...

My prayers for your family during this time. Prayers and blessings to all.

Karla (ThreadBndr) said...

Tell your hubby that our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in this so difficult time.

Glad you are back home safe and sound. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

Frea said...

Beautifull, the terra cotta army. I have visit it two times.
I like also your pictures, it brings me back to China.
Thank you.

Unknown said...

I lost my wonderful Dad last December. I miss him everyday. I am praying for Dave and the Hunter family. Keep your memories strong, they are not really gone. They are just waiting for us.

Anonymous said...

Bonnie
Thank you for taking me along on your trip to China through pictures!I enjoyed very much!I appreciate that you are such a generous soul & so sharing of everything you do.
You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers for your father-in-law.
Sending hugs & peaceful thoughts to all of you!
Penny

Janet O. said...

Those warriors are one thing I would really love to see, but probably never will. Thanks for the info and the detail shots!
Praying for peace for your hubby's family.

Donna Endresen said...

Hi Bonnie!
I am so sorry to hear about your Dear Father In Law. I went through saying good bye and spending the final month with my dear baby sister in Ontario, OR this last summer. I know it has to hard on you. My prayers are with you.

Thank you so much for sharing the Terra Cotta experience with us. Ever since hearing and reading about it 1974, it has been a phenomenon that has intrigued me ever since. It is hard to believe the amount of time and effort that went into building such an artifact, let alone excavating it. I feel the same way about some of the ancient ruins in the middle east that I saw on my duties there in the early-late 2000's decade. How did they build such things with the tools they had available at the time? .

Blessings to you my girl, while you get your feet back into life at home.

Donna
Kasilof, AK
where it is overcast, misty and foggy today.

Unknown said...

Prayers and blessing being said for you & David and his family.
The China trip looked amazing and glad you got the opportunity to go.

Barbara

Beth J. Beal said...

Bonnie,

I am so very sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I pray that he had a good life and that you are all able to begin to heal as you gather to celebrate his life.

Welcome home,
Beth

Ellie said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures from China. It has been a treat tofollow,along via the blog and FB. Blessings on you and your husband and your extended family at this painful time.

Lois M. said...

That is more than a little creepy as I read this story about the factory.
We are all with you in the process of your father in laws last days. Anyone who has been there understands the deep feelings that go along with that and please accept my deepest condolences. I am glad you got to speak with him and that memory will last your lifetime.

Susan Taylor said...

I recently lost my sister to a short-term illness and the question of when to go and when to stay is difficult to answer. I decided that all I could do is what was in my heart. I was with her a few weeks before her death and we were able to visit and I know she knew that I had to work even when it was hard. Do what is in your heart! He already knows how much you love him, and being there won't make it any easier.
God bless you at this time.
Susan

Sandy said...

Just a thank you for all that you do for all of us. Sending hugs to you and yours for the times ahead. Please take all the time you need. We can wait. Quilty hugs!

52KID said...

Hi Bonnie, it's lovely to hear that your father-in-law has family around him. I remember when my Dad went, it was really sad saying goodbye to him, but being all together with the family and reminiscing was just wonderful. It felt a bit disrespectful when we were laughing so much, but it was my Dad we were remembering.

As for your trip, you certainly fitted a lot of sightseeing into a reasonably short amount of time. Those warriors amaze me, I wonder if hey did face casts of all his actual army to get so many different warriors??

Unknown said...

Happy you are safely home again! LOVE LOVE LOVE the photos of the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors. This history amazes and fascinates me! I 'travel around' through your posts, Bonnie, so THANKS!

Jonnie

Cats said...

It's Tuesday morning by the time this reached me. YES, follow your heart... you will do what is best... trust it. <3 condolences to the family, love and blessings

Nonnie said...

I was anxiously awaiting this post as I just saw the exhibit in Philadelphia two weeks ago. They had ten warriors and a horse. I can't imagine what it must have been like to actually be there. I have been interested in these warriors since I taught about them in my sixth grade social studies class. Thank you so much for sharing. Prayers and blessings to your family during this difficult time.

Carol in NJ

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