Urumqi – Talas

Last post from the road

This was my last trip. I wrote on the bus from my phone, in the dark, on the last night at the border. The boy from the next bus is playing the komuz again, a different boy.

I decided in the market in Urumqi when the girl with the chargers asked, "Mama Talas, next time?" and I said nothing. I put the covers on the table, 300 as usual, and I did not count them.

The stall is Nurzat's from 1 November. Stall 114, row 6, Bazar-i Kalan. She has my phone book, my girl in Urumqi and Almaz's number. I keep the tea. I will sit at the stall two days a week, to look at her bargain.

Thank you for reading. If you see an old woman in Talas with special socks, say hello, it is probably me.