My Destined Nation

CHINA | Saturday, 12 January 2013 | Views [906] | View Smaller Image

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.

Tags: xinjiang, western china, children, friends, culture, social, silk road, asia

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.

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In Xinjiang, it is not an uncommon sight to see men crowd around in small groups taking part in some kind of culinary sharing sessions. What I've noticed is that they were usually male dominated. As such, this young girl caught my immediate attention. She struck me as a non-conformist, someone who goes out of the way to satisfy her own curiosity and acquire more knowledge, even if it's unconventional. I find myself standing there, observing her learning intently, in absolute amazement. I wanted to give her a penny for her thought.

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My Destined Nation

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