** CHINESE EXPERIENCES **
** Terracotta Warriors and Xi-an **
This is the 3 Aug 2004 Edition of
this page. It will be transcribed from my diary-like entries!
18 September 2001 - Tuesday
So, it's back to "living out of a suitcase" today. That's until I get home!! I went along the same floor to
breakfast. After finding that my 'room number' will be served in a different dining room, I got a good choice of buffet-breakfasts
from 8am..
It turns out that MOST OF US, surprisingly, have SOGGY CARPETS - one couple having been allocated another
.room. Various theories were proposed as to how we got the 'soaking' conditions. After we got back to our own rooms,
we found ourselves leaving to see the 'sights' of XIAN and neighbouring areas. Or coach departed at 9am..
The coach journeyed about 30 miles to see a BUDDHIST TEMPLE (where we photod and 'experienced' it) - the centre
for this area being the WILD GOOSE PAGODA. Later, we travelled another 30 miles to see the JADE FACTORY,
before yet another 30 miles (approx) by coach to the lunch place and hotel.
Then we were off to the TERRACOTTA ARMY display (about 40 miles on this leg) where I took many photos
(though NOT as many as anticipated!). There were many separate halls with exhibitions (Hall 1 was the MAIN one,
Halls 2, 3 and 4 beng less impressive) an interesting example being
the CIRCLE SCREEN (like the older 'circlorama' in the 'west') where I saw a Chinese Film on warriors and spectacles.
There were Chinese Warriors surrounding me and victims dying all around me. What a show!!
I judged the JADE carvings on 'Technical Merit' - but primarily on 'Artistic Merit', and in the evening - I went for a
SHOW and MEAL at the SHAANXI GRAND OPERA HOUSE, here in Xian. There, I saw dancing, music, strings
and percussion and plenty of humour.
It was a GREAT night with their multi-dumpling dinner (so many different types and fillings!) - giving me many ideas
for home cooking with Suet & Minced Beef, suet and grated walnut! etc., etc..
Our coach mileage to the show and back was about twenty miles, with my write-up after the show at 10.10pm
when back. Bed was at 11pm.
(To be continued in the next chapter!! (HongKong and Home))
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