Xi'an is a conduit to a wealth of ancient wisdom

As is often the case when one visits wonders of the world, it is impossible to accurately anticipate the impact that witnessing one will have, and the Terracotta Warriors were no exception to this. After a brief journey out of the city, and elbowing my way through some packed and chaotic lines, I began to wonder if visiting such a tourist destination during Chinese New Year was a bad idea, and if it would be worth the stress. It was. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the soldiers themselves — statues that were well over 2,000 years old and, despite their ancient age, still bore the intricate details their master craftsmen had etched into them ages ago. It is a well-known fact that every terracotta warrior has a unique face and, staring at them, I had an overwhelming sensation of looking into the faces of the past. I couldn't help but wonder if the statues had been modeled after their creators when they were made. Could their craftsmen possibly conceive that, well over 2,000 years later, their faces and their artwork would be known the world over? It is the type of thing that makes one consider their legacy, what imprint we will have on the people of the future, whether we intend to or not. Nevertheless, it is an understatement to say that when I left the Terracotta Warriors, my inner fire to create was fueled.

The rest of my time spent in Xi'an was similarly awe-inspiring, visiting the famed Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, walking the streets of the Muslim quarter, and witnessing traditional theater, all the while having some of the most delicious food of my life (seriously if you have not tried gourd chicken, try it now, it will change your life); I felt a deep sense of gratitude and empowerment. I realized that these monoliths of the past are not just things to be admired and moved on from, they are not objects to merely take selfies in front of, they are messages from our fellow humans of the past. "See what we created? Now, go forth and make something of your own!" I am so grateful to Xi'an, and the gifts its ancient residents left us. I will listen to their wise message and I hope you do as well.