Dear Readers,

Hello, everyone! My name is Mei and I am an eighteen-year-old female living in China. I live in a merchant family, so I know I will be a merchant when I am older as well. It is definitely a rarity to see a female trader, but my father had no sons, so he raised me and my younger sister learning all about becoming a merchant. Tomorrow we start our journey along the Silk Road to sell and buy all different products!

We are making a journey all the way across the China to the Mediterranean Sea. My family and I live in Chang'an, and the first stop we make along the Silk Road is in the city of Dunhuang. I am selling, or really helping my father sell, many different Chinese products including silk, teas, salt, sugar, and spices. Even though many of the other cities in China might already have some of these, we are traveling all the way to the Mediterranean Sea where people will not have these goods. This journey is going to take many, many years, probably around 10 years!

I will not be able to write everyday, every month, or even every year! I will try my best to add an entry every couple years to record my progress on this journey. I am excited and nervous at the same time, and I hope we have a safe and productive trip on the Silk Road for the first time!!

Sincerely,
Mei <3

{Also, below I have attached a map of China that shows where my hometown is. I will put a map on all my posts to show where I am. Also, I have a picture of some of the different kinds of silk we will be selling. Hope to post something again soon!}

Silk we trade on the Silk Road^^

This is my hometown!