China – Day Four – January 10

After a 12 hour train ride, we arrived in Xian. Many slept well on the train while others were not as fortunate. After settling in our hotel we headed to the Terracotta Warrior Factory and Museum. On the way to the countryside we were able to see many different levels of poverty in rural China.

The Terracotta Warriors, which are the 8^th World Wonder, are clay figures that were discovered in 1974 by a farmer digging a well. We were fortunate to shake the farmer’s hand today. After the Terracotta Warriors we visited the Xian City Wall. Many of us took a tandem bike ride around the wall where we saw the Chinese New Year Decorations and the city skyline. To top off the day we had a great dinner where we tasted 20 traditional Chinese Dumplings and watched a Chinese Opera Show, complete with original costumes and instruments. One thing we all noticed throughout the day was the high levels of smog in the air. It makes us grateful to be from the United States. We continue to have great experiences in China, although we miss your great cooking and hospitality! We wish you all well at home and will talk to you in a few days.

PS- Please send toilet paper and chocolate as soon as possible!