Terra Cotta Warriors

Back in 1996* I went with my family to see an exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art called "The Imperial Tombs of China." Among other things, they talked about the army of life size terra cotta warriors that was discovered in the 1970s at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. He had the army constructed to usher him into the afterlife, to protect him, as well as to extend (and demonstrate) his power into the afterlife.

After seeing that exhibit back then, I remember being fascinated by the idea of the terra cotta army protecting him. Because of that, I bought a miniature terra cotta warrior in the gift shop, and decided he would be my protector.

My warrior doesn't have a name (and I'm not looking for one), but he's been with me since then. Every time I move, I pack him in a safe place, and as soon as my nightstand is set up next to my bed, my terra cotta warrior is put in his place. He's my protector, always watching out for me.


A few months ago I heard that the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. would be having an exhibit on the terra cotta warriors during the entire month of March. Of course, I wanted to go. But naturally, I procrastinated buying my tickets (though I did look occasionally at dates that were available, but was being non-committal about it), and it closes next week, on March 31. So I knew I needed to really get on it. I looked up online and found out that all the tickets were sold out. BUT, they had decided to extend the museum hours during the last week because of demand. Whew! Hope returns.

I tried to buy tickets when my friend Christy would be in town, but the internet was giving errors when processing orders. So I called the ticket office first thing Tuesday morning. After being on hold for an hour and a half, I got through to a person....only to learn that the EVERYTHING (even all the extended showings) was sold out. They weren't offering refunds, so people wouldn't likely return unneeded tickets to the box office.

Of course, I turned to the next logical place: craigslist! There weren't a lot of people selling tickets, but there were a bunch of people looking. So I emailed everyone that was selling (about five people), and waited. Finally I got a positive respond, tickets for 5:00pm THAT NIGHT.

It was a crazy idea, but none of my other options looked hopeful. I confirmed with the seller that I would be there to buy one of his tickets. (He was going to the exhibit that night with friends, but because a few backed out, he had a couple extra.) I left work early (love how flexible my job is), and headed down. (Baltimore to DC is about an hour with no traffic....which is never. (Okay, that's exaggerating...but only a little.))

Now. You may already be saying to yourself, "Baltimore to D.C. at 5:00pm? Are you crazy?" The answer is, yes, apparently. I tried to leave early to beat traffic, but it didn't work very well (on both counts). I even tried taking an alternate route. Long story short, soon it was 4:40, and I wasn't even close to being half way there. I knew there was no possible way I would be there to meet him at our designated 4:45, let alone get there by 5:30 to use the ticket. (The website said tickets were valid for 30 minutes after the time printed on them.) I decided I had to call him and tell him I wouldn't make it. I knew traffic would just get worse as I approached DC and the 5:00 hour. I was disappointed to miss the exhibit and have to try craigslist-roulette again. I was also really embarrassed to call him and back out, but at least I got his voice mail. That made me feel like I was saving some face.

So after leaving a message, I turned around to head home. (And sit in traffic going the other way.) As I was exiting the freeway back into Baltimore, I got a txt from him that said that he talked to the people at the box office, and they said that he could leave the ticket for me, and I could use it anytime tonight. Oh! Well, in that case. I turned around and started back down towards DC AGAIN.

He kept me updated about this and that on my way down. I did hit more traffic as I approached DC, of course. Around that time he sent me a txt letting me know that the box office said they were closing the exhibit, but it would reopen again at 9:00, for the "extended hours." Huh?

I finally got to the museum at 6:45. (Three. Hours. Later.) What a trooper, he had waited for me, and was really nice about helping me get my ticket. I got more info on what he was talking about before, and it was true....I had a ticket that could be used anytime that day (and not on another day....I asked), but now needed to wait until 9:00pm to use it. AHHH!! But on the upside, I had a ticket, and I was able to pick up Sarah Olson from work (she works in downtown DC), go have dinner, which was great.

I went back to the museum (and got a REALLY good parking space), and enjoyed the exhibit. It was really interesting. This is the banner they have out front. I wish I had taken this picture when I was there and it was still light, but oh well. This is the front of the museum. (Note the cherry blossoms. Can't wait to go down later and see more of the blossoms!)

They didn't let you take photos in the exhibit, but they did have a replica warrior outside for photo ops. I took advantage.

I headed back to Baltimore about 10:30, stopped for an ice cream cone, and got home just after midnight. I was so tired, and a little bit cranky, just wanting to go to sleep.

And, as always, my terra cotta warrior was there waiting. I slept while he kept watch.




* March 16, 1996 to be exact. I looked it up in my journal. But I wrote a disappointingly small amount about seeing the exhibit. I think back then I had a complex about not writing too much. (Anyone who has seen my journal collection recently knows that I have long since gotten over that.) In searching for that entry, I also realized that I wasn't as level-headed as I sometimes claim to have been. Well, maybe more level-headed than your average 15-year-old, but still. Let's just say, I've progressed a bit since high school. Thank goodness.