Day 4

Day 4:

"Dearest Friends,

We are having a blast, enjoying the culture, and loving our newest sons!

China is a wonderful country. Its history is magnificent; they invented so
many things and have such a rich cultural background. Today we visited the Terra
Cotta Warriors on the outskirts of Xi’an. There are 8000 warriors, each with its
own unique face, that were buried by the emperor Qin about 2200 years ago. They
are fabulous to look at and the Chinese consider them to be the eighth wonder of
the world. In addition to the various ranks of soldiers, there are also full size terra
cotta horses that have been unearthed. It is really a unique archeological find, which
occurred when three farmers were attempting to dig a well. Really cool.
The morning began with a stop at a terra cotta factory where they make
warriors and more for tourists to take home. It was a typical government run sales
place, but we actually were able to see and learn about the mud used, a special soil
from the nearby mountains, and how they molded the warriors and how long they
baked in the kiln.
Next we drove over to see the real Terra Cotta Warriors which are displayed
in the three pits where they were discovered. I really can’t do justice in writing to
the magnificence of these Warriors. This was my third time to visit and I still am
amazed. Precious Bundle was the cameraman today and I think he must have taken
250 pictures or more. Both boys asked tons of questions and really checked out the
statues. We purchased each of them a jade warrior, to be put up until they are older,
as a memento from their birth country.
Our translator, Sherry, told the boys the soldiers came alive every night at
dark and really had them wondering. It made me think of Night at the Museum. We
had her explain at the end of the day that they did not come alive so that we don’t
have issues down the road concerning this.
We also had their picture taken where they place it on a soldier, but with the
child’s face. Too cool and such a priceless memory.
I forgot to mention that there is a Mary Kay cosmetic convention going on in
our hotel. Yesterday the four of us were in the elevator around lunchtime when the
doors opened on the convention hall floor. Into the elevator walked a few Mary Kay
consultants, then a few more, and then more and more and then more. 13 Mary Kay
consultants, along with us four, all packed into the elevator. It was crowded, no
doubt, but nobody seemed to mind. It was funny to us, though, because they just
kept coming and coming and coming. After they all left the elevator at the restaurant
floor, Gerald and I looked up to see the “13 maximum occupancy” sign. We took a
picture of that to remind of the onslaught of MK consultants in the elevator!
Lunch at Subway on the grounds of the Warriors. Talk about juxtaposition!
Such rich cultural history and Subway! HM liked his sausage sandwich, PB did not
like his roast beef.
We had to stop at the notary again to check some documents. Gerald and

Sherry went in and the boys and I remained in the van on a busy street with lots of
construction. Two minutes after they left, Handsome Man says, “Bathroom!” (They
are learning some English!!!!!) Well I tell him we’ll have to wait a few minutes.
Then a bit later, “Bathroom!!” It is amazing how much can be communicated
with out speaking. The driver (who speaks no English) tells HM to just go on the
sidewalk by the construction wall. HM looks horrified and shakes his head. Then
the driver tells PB to take his brother 5 feet outside the van door and have him
go behind the car by the construction wall. PB flatly refuses. Well, non-Chinese
speaking me is watching all this transpire, knowing exactly what they were saying.
So after a third, “Bathroom”, I ask, in sign language, if HM wants Mama to go out to
the wall with him. Yes, he shakes his head vigorously. So we stepped out of the van
and he did his business behind the cars. (Teri, I’m so sorry; I know you wouldn’t
be pleased with me, but sometimes you have to do like the Romans!) When Sherry
arrived back, I told her what happened and the driver confirmed all I said. How
much communication can take place without words is truly amazing.
We purchased for 75 cents, some 4-inch Terra Cotta Warriors for the boys to
play with. Upon arriving at the hotel, I put together gifts for our friends, while
Gerald read and the boys shot their warriors with the nerf guns. We are having too,
too much fun!
G found the Hi Fly Pizza on the Internet and planned our little walking route.
Thank you, dad! It is just about a mile straight down our street. So we walked there
to meet the Vidlers and Martins for dinner. The Vidlers were the Bring Me Hope
Camp directors; the camp where we met the boys. The Martins I had briefly met at
camp, but their daughter was a part of the camp. She, little darling, is turning eight
next week, and she was in the same orphanage as our boys, and was best friends
with HM for many years till she was fostered by the Martins and then adopted by
them. We enjoyed some great conversation, pizza and playtime. Keeping in touch
with both these families will definitely be a priority.
The walk down was a bit tiring for HM, so we thought we’d take a taxi back to
the hotel. But the night was cool and the boys were full of pizza and energy, so we
walked. I so enjoy being in the city and able to walk everywhere and everyone liked
seeing the nightlife. All kinds of vendors with their wares spread out on a blanket, or
selling all kinds of food. Gerald commented on one vendor selling chicken on a stick.
It’s not all chicken, Karen. Well sure enough, there were all kinds of various types of
fowl, meat, and seafood. Interesting!
More play with the nerf guns and warriors, time reading a book Helen gave
the boys, and then showers, Bible reading and bed.
We are sleeping in this morning, though I have been up since before five.
Another adventure awaits us.
Karen"