Today was an amazingly busy day to say the least. We never seem to stop some days. This was one. We got up and had our usual yummy they call it here "western"breakfast buffet, but it really is quite Chinese... chinese dumplings, chinese noodles, rice, congee(Hope's favorite by the way--RC better find this stuff for us in chinese shops...)chinese spicy soups, sushi, and then the usual eggs and fruit and breads. One really interresting & very chinese fruit is the 'dragon fruit' kinda tastes like a kiwi... all our kiddos love this!
After our breakfast we headed out on our bus to the Terra Cotta Warriors museum. This was awesome to see. In the 1970's some farmer was digging a well and came across a soldier's head(clay head from the warriors) and then the excavation process and museum began to what we now saw today. It is now known as the 8th wonder of the world - These statues are from the "Qin"Dynasty- (sounds like chin) from the year 221BC! Amazing to think that these statues were here during Old Testament times.
China's first emperor Qinshihuang, believed that life under the ground after death was a continuation of life on earth, therefore he constructed a huge mausoleum & 10,000 soldiers to protect himself in the "next life" after his death. (Of course we know that hope in horses and chariots are a vain hope but our hope is in the Lord -Psalms) But the artistry was amazing in that no two soldiers have the same facial features or facial expression. They even were all uniquely hand painted with bright colors and were found this colorful way, until three days after excavation when the air made all the paint come off and now they are the plain clay color that we recognize them for. And the shear size of the project was astounding as it took 38 years to build using 10% of the population of that time.
Here are a few pics of some of the amazing things we saw today from Jingfang (Hope's) province of Shaanxi. We are so blessed to be able to experience her culture and history.
After our breakfast we headed out on our bus to the Terra Cotta Warriors museum. This was awesome to see. In the 1970's some farmer was digging a well and came across a soldier's head(clay head from the warriors) and then the excavation process and museum began to what we now saw today. It is now known as the 8th wonder of the world - These statues are from the "Qin"Dynasty- (sounds like chin) from the year 221BC! Amazing to think that these statues were here during Old Testament times.
China's first emperor Qinshihuang, believed that life under the ground after death was a continuation of life on earth, therefore he constructed a huge mausoleum & 10,000 soldiers to protect himself in the "next life" after his death. (Of course we know that hope in horses and chariots are a vain hope but our hope is in the Lord -Psalms) But the artistry was amazing in that no two soldiers have the same facial features or facial expression. They even were all uniquely hand painted with bright colors and were found this colorful way, until three days after excavation when the air made all the paint come off and now they are the plain clay color that we recognize them for. And the shear size of the project was astounding as it took 38 years to build using 10% of the population of that time.
Here are a few pics of some of the amazing things we saw today from Jingfang (Hope's) province of Shaanxi. We are so blessed to be able to experience her culture and history.
Hey guys! I'm glad you all are seeing China. It helps the time go by in the province. If you all are flying out of Hong Kong to return to the States, in the train station(we took the train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong) they have real McDonald's. It tasted SO good to eat some familiar food. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Lori Kruit
ReplyDeleteWe can tell you are having a trip of a lifetime. It is so fun to read your blog each day to see what you're up to next.
ReplyDeleteAre you germ free so far?
Is all the paperwork and approvals coming together?
What's the craziest food you had to eat?
Any runs ... not related to your eating food or squatters toilet, but actual, well, running?
Love,
The Steiners
Kelly I am on it, I will find it. Can't wait to see you guys, we are praying and keep writting. I love reading your story!
ReplyDelete