Terra Cotta Warriors

The next day we woke up early to do what all those who visit Xi'an must, and made our journey to the Warriors just as they opened. I've seen many pictures and thought I knew what to expect, but I must say they were more impressive than I could have imagined. It was mind boggling to think they had been buried for the past two thousand years and recently discovered. We made a wonderful friend named "Robert" who had studied at the well-known Foreign Languages Institute in Xi'an and spoke excellent English. He volunteers now at the museum and was so friendly and helpful. He took us to meet the farmer that discovered the warriors while digging for a well. There were originally four men, two are left living, and we were excited to meet one of them. We were asked not to take photos but he was signing books. We also went to the "in the round" movie that tells the story of all that happened there and I really recommend it. Roger explained that there are many decorative pieces, artwork, and animal statues that have been recovered but that are not on public display yet. You leave the museum a different way than you come in and let me tell you, it is hawker city. You proceed through many levels of people calling out to you and trying to sell you every kind of trinket imaginable, do not dare look to the right or left or show any form of interest or acknowledgement or you will be pounced on. Any one care for a chocolate covered ice cream cone with a tomato on top?