I will be back with photos for this long weekend Have fun everybody teehee

Oh btw ,

1.Time for appointment with the dentist (Teeth whitening !)

2. I swear i am going to exercise like mad next week

3. I am dying to pick up some photography class again + scrappy class

4. I am going to do something with my seaweed hair .. dun quite like it

]]> http://foreordained.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/gods-tongue/ Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:16:12 +0000 Nathaniel Fromen http://foreordained.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/gods-tongue/ http://atapresidents.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/the-beauty-of-group-travel/ Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:09:58 +0000 academictravel http://atapresidents.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/the-beauty-of-group-travel/

A Brass Door Knob, Forbidden City, Beijing

Dear Friends,

It’s been a while since my last post.  The fall was busy and marked by a trip to China in October that will go down in my mind as one of the greatest group travel experiences ever. This National Geographic journey started in Beijing and wove its way south through Xi’an, Chongqing, the Yangzi River, the Three Gorges Dam, ending in pulsating Shanghai.  In reflecting on the success of this experience, I concluded that my 23 travelers encountered group travel at its very best and here’s why:

1. Their Openness:  Marcel Proust is known to have said “The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Throughout our time in China, each and every traveler demonstrated a willingness to see through the eyes of others or even to expand their way of thinking in ways that were unfamiliar to them.

2. Their Sense of Community:  From the very first day in Beijing, our group showed respect and care for each other, exchanging personal thoughts and experiences, maintaining punctuality, watching out for each other in crowds, resetting a bike chain during a circumnavigation of the City Wall in Xi’an, lending a sweater when the weather turned cold in Shanghai, and empathizing when someone’s personal belongings went missing in Yichang.  During breakfasts and free meals, I observed different travelers joining each other at different times, developing new friendships and learning from one another.  Couples welcomed single travelers within their midst, and no group was exclusive.

VIP Access to the Terra Cotta Army

3. Their Cultural Sensitivity:   No aspect of Chinese culture went unappreciated on this trip.  Each traveler expressed awe, curiosity, and genuine respect for all our itinerary presented.  From the serenity of the Confucian Temple in Beijing and the Great Mosque in Xi’an to the animated hacky sack players at the Temple of Heaven and the charming, erudite Mr. Wang ( former Chief Engineer of the Three Gorges Dam Project), our group members captured 100% of each significant moment and encounter.

4. Their Joie de Vivre:  I marveled at the personal stories behind each traveler and how they came to choose a trip to China. Many had overcome sadness and challenges in the year or so before the trip, and despite these (or perhaps because of these), they launched themselves into China with a verve and appreciation for life that was heartening.  Their perspective helped them enjoy themselves to the fullest.

A kindergartener waves her pom at us in Fengdu

5. The Authenticity of the Experience:  A group of individuals this genuine deserves the most authentic and truest of experiences.  I am proud to say National Geographic Expeditions delivered on this promise.  We were the only foreigners to visit Panjiayuan (a Beijing flea market), the only foreigners to eat in many of the local restaurants selected, to gain VIP access to the Terra-Cotta Army Museum, to hear an exclusive briefing by the dedicated Director of Foreign Relations at the Great Mosque in Xi’an, to enter the restricted visitor center led by a senior engineer at the Three Gorges Dam Project, and to play jump rope with kindergartners  and sing songs with retirees in Fengdu.  And all these authentic experiences were augmented by the superb lectures and refined expertise of our Expert, Ken Hammond.

Without a doubt, my fellow travelers on this trip enriched a well-planned, educational itinerary by applying the very best principles of group travel.  With their important contributions, I would venture to say we achieved perfection, a rare and beautiful thing in the world of travel.  I am forever indebted to them.

Kate Simpson

3000 statues de soldats découvertes en Chine
Des archéologues chinois annoncent la découverte du gigantesque tombeau (20 000 m2) du premier empereur du pays Qin Shihuangdi près de Xi’an. Il contient les statues de plus de 6000 soldats et chevaux en terre cuite grandeur nature. Une véritable armée enterrée avec le défunt souverain pour l’accompagner dans “l’autre monde”. Entamé en 221 avant Jésus-Christ, le chantier aurait duré 36 ans et près de 700 000 ouvriers y auraient travaillé. Les guerriers ont tous des visages différents et sont armés, disposés en ordre de bataille. C’est en creusant un puits que des paysans de la région ont fait cette extraordinaire découverte archéologique.

So November came and went. Can’t say i am sad because i have lots coming up in Dec =) I am mad happie not because i am leaving for korea but my upcoming dates with friends like 126 Dim Sum and Picnic with raymond and josephine. I managed to meet up with John and Mervyn twice and i am happie i did. I heart their lame jokes still  and their drama actions as well *good old times*

I miss my four years in Bendemeer the most. Anything in exchange for my school days there. It feels weird knowing i can never wear that white blue uniform again. I miss everything there, the food, meeting new friends, smell of my books ahh , the canteen, some teachers and thank god .. i am not quite left with nothing. I still have the boys and panda girls with me. 10 years of friendship together

saw my super cui face? LOL This photo was 3 years back. Shiatt.. now we are 23 !

Another ten years to come i will still love them so

Some time back i went melb and i am sorry for this late post but i am back !

HAHAHA saw my mole.. well hidden under my lips .. see now u know my secret for following my blog ! haha

Do you know the sand are really fine and soft.. i totally <3 walking on the sand. AWESOME ! I really love the weather there very much .. very addictive.

Beauty isnt it?

Max Brenner .. GOD SAVE ME ! Heavenly !

The outlet at raffles Avenue ( Esplanade) really bad bad bad ! I dint know their taste are sooo far apart.

I am not really a fish lover to be honest unless you wan to consider loving fish beehoon as one of my fav dish.

I had one of the best fish and chips everrrr. *Dead Serious*  It tasted weird because i never knew batter can taste like that . For once i believe you can really know if the lemon is fresh. Do you know the squeeze of lemon can make the fish come alive. I can totally taste the lemon (fresh) on the fish .. i dun even know how to put them into words . Seriously i will pay 60 dollars for this dish. But it cost me less than 20 i think SEE? Good food n Good price too !

At Sophia House -Italian Restaurant.

1. Full House

2. Not big Serving but MEGA BIG Serving

3. Value for money

I witnessed myself how the pasta are served in Sophia House (Mountain shape).. Btw the picture shown are suppose to be side dish and not quite  a main course yet

The Great Ocean Tour : One of the station

I am so sorry that he only wan to show us his sexy backside

Tour Guide/Driver/Admin/Our only Entertainment/Singer on the Bus : Jeff

(Trying his best to explain what happened to London Bridge )

So this is what happened : London Bridge is falling down falling down ..

My first time in a RAINFOREST ! very excited. Temp are much lower and we took a 25 mins walk in there. Beautiful ! Jeff shared with us how rainforest can never return if they lose them so is important to be environment friendly. I realised the forest is really a nice place to take good photos with the leaves giving you the best light ever ( i learnt this during one of my photography lesson).

This bubble tea cost me 5 bucks hehe but is nice and look at the pretty black eyes in the cup.

So much so i like the food and the weather there and their  laid-back life attracted me at first but .. i dun think i want to live there for long. Maybe home is a better place for me. Nevertheless it is still a very pleasant place for retirement if you ask me.

Alrite ! Time for bed : 2.21am Good nite loves !

I received a msg on sunday ( around 8pm) and it reads :

I think you are rather busy. Always don’t reply your sms and phone. If you think I shouldn’t contact you, said so. Will not do it in future. Very Sorry to disturb.

By the way , just a little introduction on this : my cousin send this ( Someone i am not really close with/ and i only get to see her once in two pink moon-not even blue) . She is a forty years old lady with a daughter of 5 years old . I can seriously write a 2000 essay about her (just like how i did on stomp 2 years back LOL) .

It took me 6 hours to reply her again. She is not even worth my sms seriously but i just can’t accept the fact she send such a rude sms over . I dun think i deserved that and i very much wan to slap her face *TRUST ME* nb !

Maybe she dint expect a reply from me after so long. But i did. I send this:

I was rather taken aback by your sms. I dun think I have the obligation to reply ANYONE’S msg, moreover i did not did it on purpose. Hence, I dun think is neccessary to account if i am too busy for stuff like that. Sometimes not reply is better than sending such msg like you did, totally ruined my lovely monday

She replied with this:

Opps..Sorry wrong recipient. The msg was meant for my friend. But thanks for reminding me that he doesn’t have the obligation to reply my sms . Sometimes i just take things for granted. Sorry to ruin your monday. Hope you have a beautiful week ahead.

NB! In the first place.. for such sensitive sms , you dun even double check who you sending to  ?  she is so dumb like a  ku ku bird (no worse than that.. birds have brain… she totally dun have one) to think i will believe her. I dun even wan to compare myself with such bird brain. Insult to my intelligence zzz

This is a classic e.g. of kiang jiu ho, mai gei kiang !  I mean why bird brain can’t get it? Without her, my family can still survive. But without my dad who never fails to  ”DONATE” to the family , THEY WILL REALLY D.I.E !

Elle s’appelle Yang LuTing. Elle viens de XI AN, une ancienne ville qui se trouve au nord－ouest de la chine. Lu Ting  m’a dit :”Je toujours se contredire moi-même. ”  D’après moi, Elle est enfantine, en même temps courageurse et indépendante. Elle a fini la licence en chine, dans la Université du nord-ouest. Elle viens en france pour continuer ses étude pour master. Elle est à Bordeaux depuis 13 mois. Après la étape de la cours du français, elle a entré l’université de Bordeaux 2 pour apprendre la biologie cellulaire et physio-pathologie.

La grande partie de sa vie en france est sa étude. Elle dit que l’état de sa vie comme une voyageur, toujours “ on the way”. Parce que elle toujours change la tram pour suivre un cours. En raison de l’université de bordeaux 2 a plusieurs bâtiments d’une école qui se trouvent aux différentes lieu.  Il y a seulement une fille chinoise apprend cette specialité à Bordeaux 2. Sa specialité est dur, même pour les étudiants français. C’est pourquoi Elle est désireux de faire de son mieux. Elle est ambitieux et intelligente.

Comme tous les étudiante chinoise, elle toujours pense à la cuisine chinoise. Surtout les nourritures spécialités de sa ville natale. C’est pourquoi elle toujours fait la cuisine dans la publique cuisine. Chaque fois quand elle veux faire la cuisine, elle faut aller a la publique cuisine avec tous les assaisonnement chinoise et les casserole. Elle a plein de assaisonnement chinoise. C’est pourquoi chaque fois quand elle fait la cuisine，les autres français sont stupéfier par cette grande scène.

Une fille comme elle, si tout seul et si intelligente, bien sur il y a beaucoup de l’histoires. Ella a une bonheur famille. Son père est un fonctionnaire de gouvernement. Il toujours parti en mission. Sa mère est professeur de l’anglais, qui est éclairé et bien sage. Elle a obtenu un bon résultat de l’examen de GAOKAO( comme le BAC). Et après elle a entré dans une bonne université et choisi la science de la vie technologique comme sa specialité de licence. Elle est excellente à ce qu’on voit. Mais en fait, elle ne veux pas apprendre cette specialité. Ces parents qui a choisi cette specialité, pas elle-même. Comme la pluspart de enfants chinois, on toujours se soumettre aux parents. Si non, on est estimé pas pieux. C’est une problem que tous les enfants chinoise ont eu. On est impuissant devant et se contredire. Elle est une fille chinoise traditionnel et en même temps plein de pensées. On a une conversation très agréable. Elle m’a dit beaucoup de choses quand on mentionne de sa passé. Probablement l’amour est le plus grande sujet de conversation entre les filles, on mentionne l’amour inévitable. Elle m’a dit plusieurs l’histoires de l’amour que elle a passer par. Je crois que elle est une fille qui a confiance de l’amour. Bien que elle toujours se trouve dans une situation passive, même elle est blessée par l’amour. Mais à l’égard de l’amour, elle est fermement convaincu. Quand je lui demande que est-ce que il y a de possible de marier avec un français, elle me répond “on ne sais pas la vie dans la suivant. Mais je ne refuse pas la chose que la vie me donne.”

Where should i start? Walking around naked in my room ,half done with my shower because my shower head die on me and  i can’t find the towel or my irritating bitchy long forgotten cousin who acted like a total idiot or super mighty xian multi-tasking now !!!

I was out with  Mervyn and John for Kbox and we spend most of the time talking instead of singing in the room LOL.

*xxx Insert Secrets xxx *

They are my sec school classmates and i can’t help laughing to myself all the time when i rem how i used to disturb the two of them in class… really nice people and I like them

So 10 mins ago, yeah .. the shower head die on me half way thru.. and thank god.. i am able to get out in time with no shampoo on my hair ! Roarrr.. called my dad to rescue me *thinking he was downstair reading his papers only to know he send his friend home* I was fuming mad ! Where is my hubby( if i have one?) where is the man !!! He is suppose to fix the shower head for me at this ku ku bird time.

I wanna bitch about this ass cousin of mine ( Forty by the way .. with just a brain of a three years old kid ) CHILDISH like mad. I will be back tonight with story and hopefully victorial’s play will be good.. excited !

]]> http://thebyrnesupremacy.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/xian/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:16:09 +0000 thebyrnesupremacy http://thebyrnesupremacy.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/xian/ http://afatkidlovescake.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/crap/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:53:03 +0000 afatkidlovescake http://afatkidlovescake.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/crap/

These warriors, fashioned in terracotta, buried for 2,000 years, inspire a post stuffed with superlatives. There is nothing like them anywhere, and the amazement factor grows by multiples when one learns how recently they were found (1973), completely by chance. A farmer made the discovery when he started to dig a well about 29 km  E. of Xi’an.  (This elderly farmer is himself an attention-grabber now in the souvenir shop, seated quietly, ready to sign the book written about the excavations he set in motion.) During the intervening millennia no one had ever read, seen or heard any mention of this heroic tomb.

A Popular Photo Op

For tomb it is — a massive, sprawling mausoleum for Emperor Qin Shi Huang. He used (more accurately, used up) 700,000 workers over three decades building this monument to himself. Perhaps even then it wasn’t even finished, but his death (from a powdered-jade-and-mercury longevity potion) made that moot.  The Chinese have dubbed the site “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” and I concur. It is a tourist magnet, but I was able to tune out most noise & jostling, drawn into a haunting atmosphere surrounding the figures under the protective shed roofs.

From 221 to 210 BC Qin Shi Huang ruthlessly promoted his China expansion/unification strategy. His dynasty name “Qin” (pronounced Ching) is the origin of our word “China.” He was famously intolerant of intellectuals and burned most of China’s books. Qin Shi Huang is also the one who built the Great Wall. [cf. Daniel Burnham, 19th C. Chicago architect, who famously said, "Make no little plans. . . "] Glance at any map of China and note that Xi’an is nowhere near any piece of the Great Wall. Not today; not then. Yet distance was nothing to an Emperor who commanded such a vast army.

Why did the Qin Shi Huang decide to bury 8,000 warriors — footsoldiers, cavalry and charioteers — around him? For protection in the afterlife. (One could say it worked quite well for 2,000 years.) Our guide Jiao explained that the buried armies faced East, backs to the Emperor, guarding against enemy approach. Feng shui principles governed the burial mound orientation and the pits (four excavated so far) containing the soldiers.  Some warriors stand six feet tall; every warrior face was cast from a worker/soldier at the building site, then fired and painted. The individually-detailed  heads and hands were attached to hollow bodies and mounted on sturdier lower limbs. The paint has faded, but the facial expressions are riveting. They are as solemn (or unhappy?) as anyone would be who knew he was working on his own tomb.  No one got out of there alive. Qin Shi Huang didn’t want news of this mausoleum, and the treasures that were to be buried with him, to spread.

High-Ranking Warrior

The warriors stand, rank upon rank, in battle formation; archers kneel to take aim; horses line up four across. The terracotta is a dusty, ghostly color. That insubstantial color and the sheer numbers of men, each with a different visage, inevitably raise the specter of the legions of dead from all wars in human history. I was forcefully reminded of a scene from The Lord of The Rings, when the warrior shades, mounted on spectral horses, burst from the mountain cave.

The viewing area in Pit #1 is a walkway circumventing the pit, and visitors peer down at  wave upon

Archer, Beautiful

wave of figures. This pit contains most of the army excavated to date. The site is still very much a working archaeology lab. This vista of lost souls was mesmerizing, powerfully affecting, almost unbearably moving.

Photos © designwrite, 2008

Xian has recently become world famous for a great archeological find, the Terra Cotta Army.  Some call this the Eighth Wonder of the World.  The Terra Cotta Army goes back to the time of China’s first true emperor, Qin Shi Huang (ruled 259-210BC).  The Q is pronounced “ch” so Qin sounds like “chin” and China takes its name from him.  Emperor Qin made it his mission to conquer the neighboring states and eventully became the emperor of the large unified area we know as China. 

A Terra Cotta Warrior

Qin was a relatively brutal man and believed he could be in for trouble in the after-life.  So, he had a terra cotta army built to protect him in the next world.  This army was found 30 some years ago but the full scale of the find has emerged only after years of digging.  Today, they have found 8,000+ warriors standing over 6 feet tall as well as hundreds of horses, chariots.  The scale of these digs is staggering! 

The Terra Cotta Army

After all the hiking around the Terra Cotta Army site, we enjoyed a wonderful evening meal, a special Tang dumpling dinner with entertainment from the Tang Dynasty period.  They served 18 different kinds of dumplings (many shaped like animals) and they were all excellent.  The show had gorgeous costumes, graceful dancers and pleasant music. 

The Dumpling Dinner

Tang Dynasty Performers

Xian was first settled around 5,000 BC and was the capital from around 1,000BC – 1,000AD.  It served as a major link on the Great Silk Road, linking many of the great cities of China to the Middle East and Europe.  While we were there it was undergoing a major transformation.  Construction was all around us and the streets were filled with bicycles, cars and people.  Bicycles haul everything in Xian… office furniture, people, produce for the local markets, etc.  We stayed in a beautiful, new hotel in the old part of town, inside the old wall.  The original town had a great wall and moat surrounding it.  

The Streets of Xian

Bicycles Haul Everything in Xian

Hong Kong is the fabulous bedazzled gateway to China that revels in its preeminent position as Asia’s cultural and culinary capital. The vast spectacle created by a breathtaking natural setting and soul-stirring skylines only enhances the amazing, ever-evolving drama of the city’s vibrant living culture. Hong Kong literally has it all – colorful street markets, world-class boutiques, vast green reserves, peaceful temples, sumptuous cuisine, sophisticated nightlife and an infinite variety of activities and adventures.

The Hong Kong Year of Food & Wine has spawned a series of gastronomic events, which add even more flavor and texture to the Hong Kong experience. Local hotels and restaurants have composed special menus and wine-pairing opportunities.

But as exciting as Hong Kong is…it’s only the first taste of the vast adventure that awaits your clients in China. Each region has its own compelling personality with sights, cuisine and culture unique to their own Chinese character. Start in Hong Kong and your clients have easy access to the best cities in China including Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and Guilin.

See a sample itinerary for our China Culinary Tour. All tours are customized: Travel dates, itinerary, and budget are all up to you. See, do, and experience what you want!

Visit Celebrations International Travel’s Culinary Travel Homepage to see all of our sample itineraries.  Don’t see the destination you have your heart set on?  Contact us, and we’ll custom design a tour for you!

14 novembre. Train 1068 sensé partir à 9h47 n’est même pas affiché. 2 jolies minettes (texto Yannick) qui parlent qques mots d’anglais nous informent que le train est en retard. Elles prennent le même que nous, on ne les lâche plus. Le train part vers 11h00. On nous stock dans le couloir. Pas génial pour 4 heures de trajet.
Un policier (avec une Tissot Touch) parlant quelques mots d’anglais nous propose de nous installer à une table du wagon restaurant pour 20¥ (2€) chacun, repas compris. Vraiment sympa, on squattera le lieu jusqu’à destination. A mi-parcours, le brouillard s’installe de nouveau.
Arrivée à Xi’an, on prend une espèce de Tuk-Tuk pour aller au City Hotel choisit dans le guide. Pas cher, clean et bien situé à côté de la Bell Tower, place centrale de la ville intérieure fortifiée. Petit tour dans notre quartier, il fait déjà nuit et froid. Bâtiments hyper modernes et architecture traditionnelle cohabitent harmonieusement. Xi’an est notre première grande ville chinoise moderne qui ressemble aux capitales européennes avec 3,5 millions d’habitants. Les centres commerciaux sont magnifiques et les boutiques n’ont rien à envier à l’Occident. On a changé de pays (et presque de siècle!) en qques 300 kms…
15 novembre. Il neige, on superpose toutes les couches possibles et nous voilà partis pour le marché aux antiquaires près du temple taoïste des 8 immortels. Le marché est décevant, mais le temple est une belle surprise. Plusieurs cours intérieures, très belle architecture, ambiance feutrée sous la neige, les “prêtres” taoïstes avec leurs drôles de petits chapeaux et leurs chaussettes blanches circulent hâtivement d’un temple à l’autre. Peintures murales très expressives et très colorées. Bâtonnets d’encens dont la fumée se mêle au brouillard…
Retour à pied vers notre hôtel par le quartier musulman. La Grande Mosquée est surprenante. Architecture résolument chinoise, plusieurs bâtiments, cours intérieures et jardins se suivent et mènent à la grande salle des prières interdite aux non-musulmans. Le minaret est en fait une pagode à trois étages. Si ce n’était qques inscriptions en arabe ici et là, on ne pourrait pas croire qu’on est dans une mosquée. C’est l’une des plus grande du pays. On retrouve la même sérénité qu’au temple taoïste, l’encens en moins. Un groupe de touristes chinois arrive, on fuit!
Le vieux quartier chinois a énormément de charme, vieilles maisons sur deux étages et joli marché de babioles, thés, épices… Visite de la maison Gao à la tombée de la nuit: un dédale de cours intérieures, petits passages entre les pavillons à un ou deux étages. Il neige toujours. La maison était celle d’un fonctionnaire de l’époque Ming (14-17eme siècle), certains pavillons abritent des ateliers d’art.
Retour hôtel et apéro au chaud en chambre, Yannick a dégoté un vin local qui s’apparente plus à un cognac léger qu’à du vin. Sur la recommandation d’une chinoise rencontrée dans le train et du Lonely Planet, nous tentons le resto du Bell Tower Hotel. Ambiance chic et feutrée. Repas le plus insipide qu’on ait eu jusqu’à maintenant, et le plus cher! Pas glop, pas glop.
16 novembre. Toujours la neige… Pas en forme, matinée sous la couette. L’idée d’aller voir au sud de la Chine s’il fait plus chaud fait son chemin… Apparement, l’île de Haïnan tout au sud de la Chine est une destination balnéaire prisée des chinois. Il devrait y faire dans les 25 degrés. Hum… Décision rapide vu qu’il y a des vols directs de Xi’an sur Sanya, et ensuite de Sanya à Pekin. On zappe Pingyao qui selon les infos est sous la neige et en plus difficile à organiser avec les trains. On se garde une journée pour visiter les alentours de Xi’an.
Le soir on se promène sur les immenses remparts de la ville, ballade très agréable hors circulation qui doit l’être encore plus sans la neige et le froid!
17 novembre. Visite des alentours avec un guide. Au menu: l’armée de soldats de terre cuite du 1er empereur, la pagode de la grande oie et les fouilles du village Banpo. Nous sommes trois dans le minibus avec Neal un écossais qui vit depuis deux ans et demi au Japon. La pagode n’est pas exceptionnelle, mais la vue depuis le sommet vaut la grimpette. Elle fut bâtie à la demande du moine explorateur Xuan Zang en 642 par l’empereur Gaozong. Xuan Zang y passa une bonne partie de sa vie à traduire en chinois les textes bouddhiques en sanscrit rapportés d’Inde. On poursuit, arrêt obligatoire devant un fabrique de jade. Yannick s’arrête devant un petit bouddha de 2 cm. (il y a des milliers de pièces) avec une jolie monture très sobre, c’est le seul qui lui a tapé dans l’oeil. Il s’avère aussi que c’est l’un des plus cher du magasin à 16′000¥. Il restera dans le magasin… Visite du musée-fouilles de Banpo. Pas aussi grand ni impressionant que nous le pensions. Les guides disent que c’est l’un des plus grand et des plus complets sites néolithiques du monde. La ville date de 5000 à 4000 avant JC, abritait environ 250 personnes. Les fouilles de se site ont sans doute livré des informations inestimables aux archéologues. On y voit des sépultures, des poteries funéraires, les fondations des maisons, des foyers dans le sol…
Après le repas, nous visitons l’armée des soldats de terre cuite des Qin (221-206 av. JC). Découverte par hasard en 1974 par un fermier qui creusait un puits. Aucun ouvrage n’y faisait référence et la surprise fut totale. Les fouilles sont encore en cours. Le nombre estimé de soldats, grandeur nature, est d’environ 6′000. Tous les visages de ceux qui ont été mis à jour sont différents. Ces soldats étaient destinés à garder l’âme de l’empereur Qin, 1er empereur de Chine qui accéda au trône à 13 ans (devenu aussi megalo que cruel durant ses 15 ans de règne). Le fermier qui a découvert le site dédicace les livres pour touristes, il est employé à vie par le gouvernement chinois! Deux chars magnifiques en bronze (échelle 1/2) surprenant de finesse sont exposés dans une salle voisine, datant également de la même époque.
On finit la journée par une spécialité de Xi’an, un diner de “dumpling” qui sont des raviolis de toutes sortes, excellent. Puis un spectacle de danse-musique de la dynastie Tang (années 600-900). Très réussi.
Xi’an est la dernière étape de notre périple sur la route de la soie commencé à Teheran.

Burning at Both Ends & the Middle

Jade?  What jade? I’m not intentionally teasing, promising those Warriors, then meandering around everywhere else before reaching them.  But we stopped other places first. Now that I consult my notes, these detours are worth a mention. Like the jade factory. There are myriad government-monitored “factories” producing cloisonné vases, silk quilts, pearl jewelry, cashmere sweaters, Oriental (of course) rugs and jade pieces. All are set up to show and tell –and sell. We toured several.

Eva gave us the elevator-speech history of jade. Here goes: white jade is called “mutton fat” jade and is “priced like diamonds.” Olympic medals (all? or just the ones given out at the Beijing games?) are fashioned of gold and mutton-fat jade, which make a “good marriage.”  I think she also meant that they insure the marriage, as well as compliment each other. The word for jade is “yu,” meaning “pretty, elegant.” It’s a popular girls’ name.

“Mountain” jade is heavier and more suited to statues and decoration. It possesses better feng shui. “River” jade has a rock-like appearance, pieces are generally smaller and it has been smoothed by water. I scribbled “big potato.”  Because it looks like?  Is the size of? Hmmm.  Well, I said she spoke fast.

The more detailed a piece, the more costly. Cutting jade can express history. [What does that mean?] Eva said it (e.g., how you fashion it — I think) “make your dreams comes to truth.” Skill and subject matter figure into the value of any jade carving.

Look for lighter/translucent colors. Jadeite (pale) is the most desirable. Other top colors are apple green and lavender, aka purple, the latter because it is associated with wealth. Red and yellow jade exist, too, but they aren’t as valuable. Yellow jade signifies (brings?) happiness.

The Chinese have always associated jade with longevity. Jiao told us one emperor (I think Qin Shi Huang, whose nearby tomb houses the Terracotta Warriors) ingested jade powder to live longer. Somewhere he divined the wrong recipe though, since he mixed it with mercury.

Jiao Explicates. W.G. Pagoda really lists that much

Another stop was Xi’an’s Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 645 AD. Xuan Zhuang, a Buddhist monk who had earlier traveled from Xi’an to India (on the Silk Road) returned with Buddhist scriptures he translated into Chinese. He built this Pagoda, still an active Buddhist temple. Buddhism entered China in 25 AD, also via the Silk Road.

The Pagoda site includes a one-room building whose walls are covered with panels depicting the Buddha’s life. But wait –OMG– the panels are bas-relief carvings of extraordinary skill and beauty, executed in a rainbow of colored jade stones. Who would imagine covering about 40 linear feet of wall with tightly-fitted jade carvings, creating panels maybe five feet tall?  That this treasure of a room was not destroyed during the Cultural Revolution is miraculous.

In addition to praying silently (or even noisily), lighting candles and burning incense, one can post a message to the Buddha on the open-air bulletin board. Adjacent to a prayer for a Fendi bag and another for a Cartier watch, we Cornell women posted the following:

“We wish for President Obama. May he have wisdom, safety and compassion.”

This visit was three weeks before he was elected. Don’t underestimate letters to the Buddha.                                             all images ©designwrite

Be Very Careful What You Wish For, 10/08