Terra Cotta Warriors

This past weekend Matthew and I went to Washington, DC to see the Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor: Qin Shi Huangdi. We drove to Maryland and took the Metro. As we approached the station, a young couple gave us their all day ride tickets. They had finished using them and we were just beginning our evening. We hopped on the train at 5:00 pm and made it to our stop, two streets behind the White House. We met up with my friend, Gerald and his girlfriend, and her sister at VaPiano's. The Italian restaurant was nice and had great atmosphere. We got to know each other better and then headed two streets over to the National Geographic Museum. The museum itself was closed but we had tickets to the 7pm Exhibit, last one of the day. The exhibit was large and amazing. It showed 15 life size figures: soldiers, charioteers, strongmen, archers, musicians, generals, horses, and acrobats.

Dating back to 210 BC, these figures were found by local farmers in 1974. Current estimates that are buried in the warrior pits are: 8000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, but the majority are still buried in pits. They vary in height up to 6' 6", the tallest being their generals.

Go to the Exhibit Website: http://www.terracottawarriorsexhibit.com/ to see a slide show or facts.

Matthew was quite amazed about the exhibit. He has been giving his father and I facts on a daily basis. Last year, he had to give a report on it. He loves history and especially likes to know about wars, warriors, and cultures.

It was a nice Spring like day and we were happy to have spent it together with our good friends.