Sunday started with Starbucks and ended with Walmart. Starbucks, because ironically enough, I wanted a cup of tea for my throat and it's not easy to find tea unless you're sitting down to a large meal. Everyone has their own little thermos and tea leaves. Not having that, we had to go to Starbucks to find a cup of tea in China....after spending the day visiting the Terracotta Warriors, we were walking around and stumbled upon a Chinese Walmart. It was not as big as walmarts at home, but it had loads and loads of local chinese foods and products. We decided to go back in the morning so we could have yogurt and bananas for breakfast instead of noodles.
The Terracotta Warriors were a really impressive sight to see. There is a whole complex/park with multiple buildings which is really large and very nice. There are 3 pits containing the warriors, 2 of which are kind of small. But pit number 1 which we saved for last was huge and had about 6,000 of the warriors restored and in place. They were built over 2,000 years ago! Crazy that the Qin Emperor was so intent on continuing his reign after death that he (or whoever did his labor, it took 40 years!) went to so much effort. There were also two complete chariots with horses and drivers which had been discovered and restored.
We're glad we came to Xi'An but also looking forward to Lijiang which should be a little bit quieter. We're having tons of fun! Seems like there are new experiences around every corner. Sorry to use the cliche but it's true!
