terracotta warriors (i can't even tell you how excited i was to see this exhibit)

when i was eight years old, i learned about china's terracotta warriors.  it is one of the things that put me on the path to studying history.  i've always been fascinated by them, and have always wanted to see them, but trips to china are suuuuper expensive.  and then i found out some of the terracotta warriors were on exhibit at the asian art museum in san francisco.  so, i took the birthday money my grandma sent me (thanks grandma!), hopped on the train with lily, and went to the city to hang out with my guys (and crossed something off my tourist to-do list; win-win!).

over 8,000 warriors, each and every one of them different from the others, were found in the emperor's tomb, along with close to 1,000 chariots and horses.

a kneeling archer; you can see the tread on the back of his shoe.  the attention to detail and life-like nature of the figures is astonishing and amazing.  i can't even describe how intricate everything is.  

this guy is supposed to be holding the reins to a chariot.

i mean, come on.  a terracotta horse, and he looks like you could just hop on and take a ride.  

the general.

replica of one of the chariots found in the tomb.

 below are some of my favorite things from the permanent exhibits in the museum.  i think the section on india was my favorite.  but really, it is a beautiful building with great exhibits and is easy to see in a couple hours.

the elephant carriage.  maybe that meant is was drawn by an elephant, because there weren't any elephants depicted on it.  but it was gorgeous and intricate, and i kind of want one.  

chinese jade bowl with french filagree handles (gold and gems).  the juxtaposition between the two cultures was fascinating.  

a men's bowler hat made out of bamboo (from the 1800s).  and someone actually wore it.

since lily and i were in the city, i hooked up with my sil, kati, and lily hung out with her cousin, ellie at the park across from the museum.  such a fun day.  

stalking the pigeons.  they finally had the sense to go over the fence so she couldn't chase them anymore.  

i know it looks like they're playing, but lily is really stealing her cousin's pacifier.  

you know it's a good day when the baby is wiped out at the end of it.