Terra Cotta Warriors

The Terra Cotta Warriors did not disappoint. It's AMAZING to me. Evidently the whole huge display was originally in color but the colors fade the minute they hit the light and air.

The have many more soldiers to unearth in the area. In addition, there's an entire mausoleum area for the emperor with additional carriages and chariots.



As an added bonus, it's been fun to hang out with the Strattons, Barry and Beth. She's Ben Blair's aunt, Julia's sister.

Thanksgiving

Our Xi'an Branch had a Thanksgiving feast after church the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Of course, we needed a flower arrangement, a few pumpkins and some fall votive candles for a centerpiece. It made our tupperware and foil covered dishes seem nicer. : )
There were excellent versions of home baked bread, sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie, etc. No turkeys in China, but the chicken was great. Great people!

"Pasta"

All kinds of noodles are stretched and cooked fresh while you watch. Lots of noodle, bread versions eaten here in the north of China where it's easier to grow wheat than rice. It's always called "noodles," never pasta.

Of course, everyone in the north eats rice as well. We eat at lot at the local university student canteens.

(picture is from a restaurant)

Tom and Paula

Tom and Paula Heath (SLC) have been great campus buddies here at NPU. Fellow BYU Kennedy Center teachers, we loved having companions. They would scout out places on their bikes, we went to eat together, etc.

The red flag tree is at a Temple we visited on top of a mountain. We think the ribbons are well-wishes for ancestors.
FYI, Tom took most of these photos posted this fall. We were so sorry they had to go home early for her hip surgery.

Drum Tower

In Flight

Cute little face on our plane trip home from Urumchi and Dunhuang. People from the north and west are considered "minorities" in China, as opposed to "Han" or pure Chinese.

Mid-flight, a video came on telling passengers how to exercise in their chairs to minimize discomfort. We didn't realize until we looked up and saw our travel companions with their arms in the air.