We head to the Asian Civilisations Museum (BTW, I didn't mis-spell this. Many times 's' is used instead of 'z' here.) Or, as we refer to it, "Park Place." On our Singapore Monopoly game, the Asian Civilisations Museum is equivalent to Park Place.
So we head to the Sir Stamford Raffles statue first since, well he was a British man that "founded" Singapore. He's kind of an important figure here. (Many things are named after him: hotel, MRT subway stops, schools, buildings, shopping malls, all sorts of things.)
So "Park Place" (as we call it) has so many different exhibits that are just amazing. The girls loved learning how silk was made in the villages, how pottery was made, and how fabric was made from hemp. The museum now has a special exhibit of the Terracotta Warriors. It's only here for a few months so we got lucky. (We weren't going to make the journey up to China to see them.)
They had about 100 pieces from the collection at the museum including about ten full-size Warriors and a horse. Keylime is our family photographer and she loves to take pictures, so she is chomping at the bit to take pictures of the warriors. But, pictures can only be taken if there is no flash. Here's where my technical skills come into play. I need to get the flash off on the camera (I have my camera and Keylime has hers so if I can figure out either one, I am in great shape.) Easy-peasy unless . . . you are me.
I seem to fold under pressure so I suggest to Keylime that it would be better just to enjoy looking at the warriors without pictures (hey, can't blame a girl for trying, right?) So Keylime is pointing out others who are taking pictures and some even with flash. Dang, now I look bad. However, there is an abundance of security guards lurking to stop the flash from being used. So I did point out that the lady got in trouble for using her flash . . . nah, nah, nah!
So I think, I bet I can get the flash off the camera, right?
FLASH Well, first attempt . . . failed
(yep, I am holding one camera trying to fix the other. I am so cool (OK, dorky tourist, you pick.)
FLASH Second attempt . . . failed.
Now I am apologizing to the security guard that is across the room.
(sorry, I am aware that these are very old, um, about 2,200 years old.)
Security guard walking over to me now. I can do this. Keylime is looking at me hopefully.
FLASH That's right, the security guard's shoes are the black ones in the picture.
Sorry!
Finally we got the flash turned off. So we thought you would like to see the Warriors.
Unbelievable! (They were not behind glass so you could see them very well.)
These sculptures depict the soldiers and horses of the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. They were buried with the emperor in 210-209 BC in Xi'an, which is in Central China. In 1974, a local farmer discovered the warriors buried on his land. There are over 8,000 warriors alone plus chariots, and horses. The majority of the sculptures are still buried in the land. Apparently going to the actual site is amazing!
Right outside the museum I spotted another bride and groom. I have wedding radar now. Check out the da, dum, da, dum posting from last week. I added the new pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment