After my ebola was cured. We decided to spend the rest of our weekend drenched in cultural activities.
On Saturday, we went to see the King Tutankhamun exhibit. I remember hearing about King Tut when I was in elementary school. There was a museum tour. And of course. Steve Martin sang his infamous King Tut song. But the museum tour did not come anywhere close to where we lived. And then another tour began a few years ago. And I hoped that it would come to Atlanta.
My hopes were high because Atlanta had an in. See, the Michael C Carlos museum out of Emory had a mummy. That they realized was actually Ramses I. And when they returned it to Egypt...we found a new best friend. And that connection is probably what got Atlanta a date on the Tut tour.
The tour has some items from Tut's tomb. But not the most famous funerary mask that most people think of when they think of pharaohs.
But what was there. Was absolutely AMAZING. We saw jewelry. Statues. Canopic jars. And just like Howard Carter reported when he first looked into the tomb "wonderful things." (Many thanks to google images. Because they don't allow photography in the exhibit.)
And if you came with us on this tour. About 2/3 through, you might get to experience a 7 year old would finally get on your last nerve. Because her proclamations about being tired. Hungry. Bored. Starving. Legs about to melt into the carpet. And you might offer her for sale to the lowest bidder. Or wonder if you could list her on free-cycle.
And so the next day. We decided to enrich ourselves again. Sans 7 year old.
We saw the Terracotta warriors from China at the High Museum of art. It was also, AMAZING.
The terracotta warriors are another recent find. This time in the early '70s. The warriors were part of the tomb complex of the first Chinese emperor, Qin. The emperor was surrounded by not only thousands of warriors. But by horses. Towers. Art. "Wonderful things." And in the construction of the tomb, they even made rivers out of mercury. But...most of the tomb remains unexplored as they are trying to preserve the contents until technology can catch up with what they want to do.
The soldiers are what people know about. Because there are thousands of soldiers. Most of them larger than life. Some measuring around 6'5."
There were about 8 different molds used to form the warriors. But. Each of their faces was unique. They all had different noses. Different shapes to their eyes. Different hair styles. And head dresses. Different uniforms. Armor. The detail is so intricate. It was just fascinating.
But. I must admit that I had slight trepidations. Have any of you read Maarten Troost's "Lost on Planet China?" If not. You must. It is so interesting. AND laugh out loud funny.
Anway. In one of the chapters in the book he talks about being in this small Chinese town. And how everyone seems to be carrying around doors. Making doors. Carving doors. Outfitting doors. So, finally Maarten asks "what is the deal with the doors?" Well. Apparently someone paid big bucks for an antique door. So now. The entire town is entrenched in making "antique" doors.
So. I do admit to wondering. At least for a second. Or two. Is it possible this is the work of an industrious town?
So...what about you? How do your kids do when you have a day of culture? Do you like to go to museums? What is the most interesting exhibit you have seen? (*who said that?)
Theme song: Tom Petty - It's good to be king.
.jpg)
Posts
