My Destined Nation

CHINA | Friday, 11 January 2013 | Views [976] | View Smaller Image

A peek into the life of a typical Uyghur family, in Xinjiang, Western China. It appears that bonding over a freshly sliced melon is an integral part of their culture. There is this great sense of intimacy that radiates from them, when you see them relishing the sweetness, in both the fruit as well as the kinship.

Tags: xinjiang, western china, children, family, culture, food, silk road, asia

This is exactly how I was greeted on my first day of travel to Xinjiang, Western China. It was difficult to sit through the entire slaughter, although I must admit there is evidently an interest in the transitional process. It does make me look at my plate differently, and wish it has remained as a black box that mysteriously transforms animals into something edible. It's highly controversial; but something in the children's eyes tells me that the shocked look on my face must have been quite disturbing for them too.

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I chanced upon this bunch of kids along the back streets of Yarkand (Xinjiang, Western China) participating in what seems to be the most popular childhood activity in town. It requires a deck of round cards and the players' ability to toss each card against the ground perpendicularly so that it would bounce back up and override the opponent's card.

Watching them in complete indulgence makes me realize; that games and fun take form in the simplest possible way, and does not always have to involve the latest electronic gadgets.

Sometimes, it doesn't even matter what we do, as long as we have the right company.

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My Destined Nation

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