An Eternal memory of my hometown

"WAN AN" bridge, source of Internet

   I have lived in the small city of Shao Xing since I was born 18 years ago. The city, laying in the southeast of china, is like an ancient singer, who intones modestly a melody of history. At eight-year-old, I began the formal education at primary school. Everyday was general but really deep memorable. In the morning, I was pulled out from bed, preparing for school. Before I set off for school, I was used to having breakfast downstairs where many groups of hawkers set their breakfast stands at an constant area. There were various attractive traditional snacks, such as “ won ton”, dumplings, noodles and bread of chinese style. I liked enjoying my breakfast with my grandma, having a bowl of “won ton” and breathing fresh air. The morning of the city was obsessing. People could set out a conversation by just a smile. What it felt like, talking with strangers, smiling to others, was the warmest moment in a day. 

   After breakfast, I started my journey. On my way to school, many antique bridges structured by ancients stood as intelligent history witnesses, telling old stories with slight sign. From the peace of that moment I could grasp a sense of tranquilly came from those elders as well as comfort. On the sides of the alley are many old houses staying silently. The air was always humid, with an oder of earth and grass. It rained randomly, but rarely snowed. I always imagined the residents who lived here decades years ago. What were they doing in the morning? Did they pull water from a well? I wondered if there were kids who had to go to school as early as me. As a child, I probably preferred to stay here the whole day thinking over those questions rather than worry about being late for school. Fortunately, I always reached school in time just 1-2 minutes before class began. Until the last class ending with a loud ring, the whole school seemed to burst out like an explosion. All students rushed out of the school gate and ran to the closed grocery to get something to eat such as candy which shaped like an animal and with a stick in it. I had a preference of a kind of cake with shrimps in it and could ate a lot of those cakes in the way back home.Then the night was coming. The night of the city was always peaceful, quiet and mysterious. Almost all people came back home, having dinner with family and going to bed early. 

   The city is developing while I am growing up. It accelerates its steps to promote textile industry and tourism. It is famous for millet wine and celebrities in contemporary as well as ancient period. What the most unique scenery is a large number of rivers and antique bridges in Shao Xing. This year is the 2500th birth year of Shao Xing, a brilliant elder, who is always bringing wishes to the residents. Luckily, It maintains its essential charm. Antique constructions are protected perfectly. I think everyone is pretty proud of hometown, so am I. It seems to be something in the blood and more than just a home.

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