Hello Friends and Fam -
I'm writing to you from Xian. Yesterday I saw the Terracotta soldiers. They were absolutely stunning, especially when imagining what they must have looked like a thousand years ago! Though they look like clay sculptures now they were painted in brilliant, realistic colors. Makes you wonder why the heck anyone would spend so much time contemplating their afterlife. I mean this Emperor had a few screws loose to say the least. The Chinese won't even open his tomb, because supposedly there is a river of Mercury flowing through it to kill anyone who tries to enter! Oy. Still I guess madness can sometimes breed greatness and these soldiers were a sight to behold. Each one is completely different--some are skinny, some are pudgy, some are tall, some are short, some are squatting, some are standing, etc.
In Xian I also went to the Great Mosque. It's one of the oldest in China and really beautiful and peaceful. I took a lot of pictures and hope to share them with you soon.
Today at 5 pm (my time), I'll begin a 23 hour journey on a train. I splurged for a soft sleeper (for about 60 bucks) so that I can get some real rest. Tomorrow afternoon I'll arrive in Ningbo, a small city about two hours south of Shanghai. I'll spend a night there and Tuesday morning I'm off to Putoushan! I'll be kicking it on a beach and in the background will be one of four sacred Buddhist mountains. I plan to do some hikling there as well. Then I will make my way to Shanghai. I may stop off in some small fishing villages for a night or two here and there.
I really love China, but exhaustion is kicking in. I'm very much looking forward to returning to Wyoming and seeing Johnny Depp! In other news, I got my first essay published ever. I'm excited. It's in a magazine that I had never heard of out of Colorado, but I'm so excited.
Thanks for the emails, phone calls, text messages, blog comments. I love reading them all!
Love,
Christina
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2 comments:
Hi Christina! Xian sounds amazing and can't wait to see the pics of the terracottas!! Glad you sprang for the comfy sleeper and hope you get to actually sleep and rest. The next stops will provide you with a more relaxed atmosphere so enjoy the shore and the mountains-It sounds like a beautiful area. Keep writing , calling and e-mailing momma mia!!!! We love you lots! MOM and Dad
Dear Christina: Your experiences in China sound incredible and life-altering. I am anxious to hear about Shanghai. There was an article about the difference between Shanghai and Beijing in the New Yorker (that turncoat publication),and they said Shanghai is more like Vegas and Beijing is more like Washington D.C. I am curious to see what you think. Apparently, Shanghai is a shopper's paradise, so you might be in for a little retail therapy. I keep telling your mom how much I admire your independence and your fearlessness. YOU GO GIRL! I am so proud of you for taking on this adventure of a lifetime. Stay safe and sound - looking forward to seeing the pics when you return to the Western Hemisphere. Love - Pat (I had to leave out the Aunt part because I posted my name as Pat)
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