Dear Readers,

Do not worry! This story ends well! Based on my last post, it sounded like I was in a very dangerous situation. Well, after traveling for so many days, I got to know the man who had kidnapped me, and he was actually very nice! I figured out the whole story of why this event took place, and this is what he told me:

The man who got me was a friend of my grandfather, whom I have never met. My father's father was a merchant along the Silk Road as well, and ended up staying in Kashgar as a permanent residence. He told me that there were men that were going to be along the route to Khotan, the city where I was supposed to be going with my father, that highly despised my father, and were going to try to take and kill my sister and I as revenge. Therefore, my grandfather was going to take us in to keep me and my sister safe, and these men were messengers who came to tell my father the situation and to pick us up. My sister and I had to separate so that the enemies wouldn't be able to find us. The story began to make sense in my head, and I was so relieved to finally know what was going on.

After we arrived in Kashgar, I finally was able to meet my grandfather. It was an amazing and special moment to meet, and he reminds me so much of my father. He told me that in order to keep us safe, we would have to have to temporarily go undercover under a new name. After we picked new names to go by while in Kashgar,my grandfather told me and my sister that the next day we could go explore the city and learn all about the culture of the city and all about the Silk Road too! I was so excited, and couldn't wait for the next day's activities.

We visited the heart of the city of Kashgar, where there are many buildings made out of mud. Most of the homes in the city have courtyards with a variety of vegetation. It was definitely a fun day touring this city!

Sincerely,
Mei <3

This is Kashgar's old city.