China: Terracotta and Warriors

Sorry about no posting yesterday. Got distracted by something in real life. As the case may be. Anyway, where were we? Oh yes, wandering around Xian with our tour guide. After Banpo village we made a short stop at a terracotta factory where they made all sorts and sizes of Terracotta Warrior statues. As well they made some other things like cups, dishes, and other figures. I learned a couple of things incidently. Like the clay used for white porcelain was naturally black, and changed it's colour to a whitish when fired in a kiln. After we looked around the factory it was off to the crowning jewel in the trip to China and Xian. The Terracotta Warriors, trust me the displays that go on world tours is a mere pittance to what you actually see at the main site.

China: The Great Wall

I have returned. It's been a long two weeks of whirlwind tours and visits, but I have survived. Well that last bit may be debatable at the moment. Recovering from Jet Lag isn't easy. Other then that I am in one piece. My pictures for the next little while, interspersed with my other stuff like meet-ups and photo walks, are going to be from my vacation. Lots of interesting stuff.

First off the top is my first real day in China. We landed in Beijing on a Monday, were picked up at the airport and off to dinner to meet family(sorry, no pictures of most family). After a night of rest it was off to The Great Wall of China. Believe me they weren't kidding. I saw bits and pieces as we flew in, but I couldn't get any good shots from the air. Bad angles mostly. I was told by my mother and Sister in Law that there are three things that have to be done in China to be considered a man. Top of the list was climbing the wall. What could I do? Turn down a challenge like that? Time to start walking....





















I climbed it and survived. Barely, but I survived. This got me started for the rest of my whirlwind tour of the far east.

Doors Open Toronto: Montgomery Inn

Out by Islington and Dundas Ave there lies Montgomery Inn.

The tavern liscenced in 1848 to the Montgomery family "To keep the House known by the sign of the Plough". It didn't used to be part of Toronto. In fact it was about a half days travel from the city at the time. It was a place where travelers and farmers would stop on the way and from visiting the city. Some to trade others just traveling. Unfortunately I missed the sign of the Plough, apparently original and saved by neighbours. I arrived late in the afternoon on a Sunday that had me going from sunrise practically.
I took a couple pictures of the exterior and made my way to the modern entrance that leads to the kitchen. The old inn itself has very little modern renovations. A smoke detector here and there, but nothing else. There was a lady cooking in the kitchen on the fire place itself. Talking about the way things were done and things they had to keep an eye on.


After the kitchen I made my way to the tavern room where the gents would hang out after a long day in the field. Along with a few travelers. All the furniture here is of the rough variety. Nothing of worth would be placed here. The current furniture is all semi-period pieces. Not many of the original furniture items were left to the Inn when it changed hands before it became a historic building.





Upstairs from the tavern was the public rooms and beds. I keep having to watch my head in these areas. No head room at all.



After this I wandered through the downstairs portion of the family areas and back into the kitchen where I took a look at the pantry and washing area.





Well that's it for the inn. Tomorrow I think I will finish the week off with Osgoode Hall.

Paladin Phil