DongJin Li
In 2006, an artist named Mr. Fu lived in XinJiang province invited me to take an “Art Trip”. Of course, I accepted his advice. However, it was difficult to get a train ticket from Beijing to XinJiang. Finally, I found a friend was going to back to XinJiang by a train. So, I decided to go with her.
That was the first time that I took a public transportation without a ticket. I was so nerves that uniform guys would kick me out of this train in nowhere. I finally replaced a ticket without a seat. I had crowded with 6 Migrant workers in a corner for 48 hours.
Our journey just began. XinJiang is surrounded by great mountains and deserts. In this place, the traditional customs is very sturdy. The first place I had arrived is “SaiLiMu” lake. In Mongolian, it means “the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean”. And it’s so blue and clean, just like “The Heart of the Ocean” diamond. This place is famous because of tourism. I had no idea that I would see the biggest horse racing conference in XinJiang province. Just on the SaiLiMu Lake’s beach, tens of thousand people began to get together in this place with their own horses. Some of them are Muslims. And some of them were the descents of Genghis Khan who mastered half of this world 800 years ago. I just saw thousands of horses rushed across the course in front us. And all of riders were children. Who can believe that? Most of us were shocked by this view. We could feel the strong shack of the grass land. The sound sounded like the lighting keep exploding in the darkness sky. Years ago, a XinJiang friend told me that a knight can beat 10 foot soldiers. At that time, I finally understood what he meant. Just like the OHIO STATE beat the MIAMI.
The next game is Diao Yang which is the Tajik people’s traditional game similar to American foot. However, it’s more difficult and dangerous. Diao yang, means 2 groups trying to snatch a sheep on the running horses’ backs. This game was excited, because 2 sides were born riders and worriers. An old Tajik seemed had rich experiences that he was flying on the running horse’s back. And always could snatch the sheep from some young and strong persons’ hand. If I did not saw it by myself, I would never believe that is true.
At night, we moved into the deep of the TianShan Mountain valley. It was summer, however, most of us felt very cold, therefore we covered with furs. There were more than 8 friends crowded in the Kazakh tent. I went outside of this tent and took a walk towards the deep of the TianShan Mountain.
The next day, we went into the Taklimakan Desert which is the second largest desert in the world. In Uighur language, it means The sea of death. On the way to this desert, I worried about how much water we have. This desert is really spectacular and full of potential dangers. We did not dare to get into the deep of The Sea of Death. We felt so small and powerless between this gold world and the Prussian blue sky. Fortunately, I survived from that death world, or I would never know you guys in Columbus. That’s the trip in the XinJiang Province.
That was the first time that I took a public transportation without a ticket. I was so nerves that uniform guys would kick me out of this train in nowhere. I finally replaced a ticket without a seat. I had crowded with 6 Migrant workers in a corner for 48 hours.
Our journey just began. XinJiang is surrounded by great mountains and deserts. In this place, the traditional customs is very sturdy. The first place I had arrived is “SaiLiMu” lake. In Mongolian, it means “the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean”. And it’s so blue and clean, just like “The Heart of the Ocean” diamond. This place is famous because of tourism. I had no idea that I would see the biggest horse racing conference in XinJiang province. Just on the SaiLiMu Lake’s beach, tens of thousand people began to get together in this place with their own horses. Some of them are Muslims. And some of them were the descents of Genghis Khan who mastered half of this world 800 years ago. I just saw thousands of horses rushed across the course in front us. And all of riders were children. Who can believe that? Most of us were shocked by this view. We could feel the strong shack of the grass land. The sound sounded like the lighting keep exploding in the darkness sky. Years ago, a XinJiang friend told me that a knight can beat 10 foot soldiers. At that time, I finally understood what he meant. Just like the OHIO STATE beat the MIAMI.
The next game is Diao Yang which is the Tajik people’s traditional game similar to American foot. However, it’s more difficult and dangerous. Diao yang, means 2 groups trying to snatch a sheep on the running horses’ backs. This game was excited, because 2 sides were born riders and worriers. An old Tajik seemed had rich experiences that he was flying on the running horse’s back. And always could snatch the sheep from some young and strong persons’ hand. If I did not saw it by myself, I would never believe that is true.
At night, we moved into the deep of the TianShan Mountain valley. It was summer, however, most of us felt very cold, therefore we covered with furs. There were more than 8 friends crowded in the Kazakh tent. I went outside of this tent and took a walk towards the deep of the TianShan Mountain.
The next day, we went into the Taklimakan Desert which is the second largest desert in the world. In Uighur language, it means The sea of death. On the way to this desert, I worried about how much water we have. This desert is really spectacular and full of potential dangers. We did not dare to get into the deep of The Sea of Death. We felt so small and powerless between this gold world and the Prussian blue sky. Fortunately, I survived from that death world, or I would never know you guys in Columbus. That’s the trip in the XinJiang Province.
Your story flows well and has good examples. Work on a better conclusion.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool to travel in XinJing. I think it's such a breathtaking experience to walk in the desert. Good story and nice picture. The specific detail is excellent. But I think the word in 21st lines "shake" should be "shock", a small mistake.
ReplyDeletei know that place is very good place to travel,some of my firend told me the sky in xinjing is so blue .At night ,you can see several stars all over the sky.I love that kinds of feeling ,if have time,i must visit that greatness place .But i think your story are scatter with each other ,please make it more compact.and i have a question.Are you drive the horse by yourself ?What's that feeling?
ReplyDeleteHi, guys.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your advices. It's very helpful. I will working on it.