Week 33 - Old Chinese Villiage (Aug 19)

Another from my trip to China. We visited this old village that had a river running through the town. We boarded boats and took a river tour.
I felt like we had gone back in time - It was sooo different from any place I've ever been. Women were washing their cloths in the river water while others cleaned their mops and dishes at the next stairwell - in the river.
I felt out of place.....almost like I was intruding on these peoples lives. They, however, were use to tourists. It's how they survive. Us being there meant they would have some money.
An amazing and humbling experience.

Week 32 - Old Fellow (Aug12)

I went to visit the animals at our small local zoo before school started and was intrigued by the massiveness of this guy. His shell is amazing - it has wonderful texture and details.
We had a great time - he was the perfect model!

Week 31 - Old Skates (Aug 5)

Ok. So they aren't that old. 70's maybe???
I remember skating when I was young. We actually took skating lessons!! Our church had a few all night skating parties as well. I remember skating with my dad, eating tones of stuff from the concession stand and playing air hockey. We also use to do the hokey poky in the middle of the rink and had backward skates.

Good times!!

Week 30 - More Old Terracotta Warriors (July 29)

This guy was just hanging out behind a museum we visited while in China. He looked like he needed some company so we got spent a bit of time together. Nice guy.

Week 29 - Old Terracotta Warrior Statue (July 22)

Another picture from my trip to China. One of our stops was in Xi'an at the Terracotta Warrior Museum. An amazing site and well worth the visit. The site houses some 8,100 life-size Chinese warriors in various states of repair and at several different locations on the grounds. These warriors were created around 247 BC - 210 BC and remained undiscovered until 1974 when a local farmer found pieces of terracotta while trying to dig a well.

You can see how they once stood guard of their Emperor's burial tomb and also how many were destroyed by fire when the tomb was raided a few years after his death. It is believed the army was created to help Emperor Qun rule another empire in the afterlife. This particular guy was found totally unscathed and is currently displayed in a glass case next to several other cases displaying the different ranking soldiers.

Week 28 - Old Chinese Architecture (July 15)

This photo was taken back in June at the Forbidden City in Beijing. Beautiful Place!!

I love the architecture of the some of the old historical buildings in China. The old style really stands out against the modern buildings and gives you a good look at what the old China may have looked like at one time. Most places have been restored or are in the process of being repaired (for the 2008 Olympics) and don't quite look as old as they should.

Week 27 - Old Boat Dock Tie (July 8)

This image was taken on a wonderful weekend trip to Chicago. My family and I went up to visit my brother and his girlfriend last Saturday and ended up taking an architectural boat tour along the river on Sunday. It was a beautiful day for a leisurely ride on the river as well as a perfect day for pictures. Chicago is a beautiful city with an amazing history and gorgeous buildings. Tones of old stuff just waiting to be captured by a camera.