Earth is Racing -- A Global Journey of a Naxi Woman

Author: Yang Yiben
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: She is a Naxi woman who only left Lijiang, known as the "pocket bottom," for the provincial capital of Kunming at the age of 21. To the women around her, this was already a "shocking achievement." Her father said that in the past, if a woman in the village could go to Dali with her husband or family, it was something worth boasting about, and she would be repeatedly introduced as a "person who had seen the city gates." However, the story far exceeded anyone's imagination at the time. This Naxi woman not only broke free from her original "narrow world" but also embarked on a journey westward. Earth of Yang Yiben recounts the experiences of a convoy and an exploration team in Central Asia, West Asia, and East Africa, covering history, geography, folklore, religion, culture, and more. The author, Yang Yiben, the vice mayor of Lijiang City, said in an interview with a reporter that eight years ago, she joined a convoy of over 20 people on a global journey. This Naxi woman from Lijiang, Yunnan, finally had the chance to fulfill her childhood dream.
Around the castle was an open area, with the Chu River to the west. From the city center, one could see the Chu River far away, like a golden ribbon flowing down from the horizon. About 100 meters to the south was a long stretch of broken walls. Pits had been dug around the castle, and on the way here, we heard a shepherd say that he had found a 30-kilogram solid gold tiger nearby and dozens of kilograms of copper coins. The gold tiger was bought by a "official" for 2,000 U.S. dollars. I was deeply saddened by the cruel destruction of the ancient city of Kuqa, but honestly, as a cultural worker, there was nothing I could do but feel heartbroken. Standing in the castle, I immersed myself in history, as if I saw Li Bai shopping in the market with his mother and reciting the Four Books and Five Classics in his study at night. When Li Bai needed to urinate at night, his mother used a ceramic jar to collect it. Because Qiyun found a broken jar, I jokingly said it must be Li Bai's urine jar, and it would be worth a lot of money if he took it back. Qiyun indeed held onto it for a long time, weighing it in his hands, and reluctantly threw it away when we were about to leave, saying it couldn't be taken.
Li Bai, from a young age, loved swordsmanship and was a chivalrous and talented poet. I think it was the customs and traditions of Central Asia, the heroes of all time, the civilizations of the East and West, and the diverse people and events along the ancient Silk Road that shaped Li Bai's hearty personality. He wrote, "At the age of fifteen, I loved swordsmanship and conquered all the feudal lords," and he "drank freely and traveled far," "asking my children to trade for fine wine to share the sorrows of the ages." He was truly a bold and poet.
I sat in the ancient castle for a long, long time, letting the wind and sun blow on me, unwilling to leave. The hustle and bustle of the market seemed to echo in my ears, as if Li Bai's slender figure was moving in every corner before me. He wore a topknot and white shirt and pants, sometimes following his mother in the market and other times studying in his father's study. The sun set, and I reluctantly bid farewell, turning back three times at every step.
When we returned to the Xinqu Kindergarten, the RV was already there. I knew the team leader and others had only returned from Bishkek to the camp at 9 p.m. the night before. Although we had only been apart for a day, everyone was very happy to see each other, as if we had been reunited after a long separation. You patted me, I scratched you, and we were very affectionate. The farewell banquet was held by the Muslim Association and could be described as abundant. Leaders from several villages in Shaanxi Manor were all present. During the banquet, we sang and danced together, first with a passionate folk dance of the old, followed by international dance.
The current editor-in-chief, a tall Russian, asked me to dance the Russian dance. Sheba and Baodong also asked me to dance. The editor also brought his beautiful daughter to ask the painter Fu Shucheng for advice on learning Chinese painting. The banquet finally ended. We were all in high spirits. The team leader Li Jie took the painter Shucheng, secretary Xiao Long, and Zhang Xu from CCTV to the president's home, while the rest returned to the RVs to sleep.
Under the moonlight, Sheba, Dongsheng, Baodong, and others came to bid us farewell. I gave Sheba a Lijiang VCD, even though I knew there were no VCD players here. But I hope Sheba keeps it, and one day he will play it for his children. Perhaps his descendants will one day come to Lijiang.
P28-30