Blake Gingold Silk Road Project3/18/14Journal: Entry IMy name is Dato Young. It is the 7th century, March 21, and it has been four and a half months since my daughter, Aaiqa, was born. Now Aan, my wife and I have to provide for ourselves while supporting our newborn. We live in the big city of Shymkent in Kazakhstan, in a small, ramshackle yurt that Aan and I built next to the Badam (Spark) River. It took several months to build it. Making the door was the hardest part. The downy wool had to be spread out on reed mats in a pile about 35 centimeters deep with boiling water sprinkled over it. A long stick is then placed at one end of the reed mat, and the mat is rolled up with the damp wool inside. Sometimes the roof is covered with a piece of canvas or a tarpaulin but we just used wool (Levinson). For fourteen years now, my wife and I have been begging around our village, but since Aaiqa was born, we have had to take turns throughout the day. Aan would start at sunrise until noon, then I would take over throughout the day until sunset. Aan got the early shift so he could make dinner later in the day. While she worked in the morning, I took Aaiqa with me to the green meadows of Jaylyau (Astana). There I was looking for packets of urial for dinner that evening. Our cash income has recently become very low since Aaiqa became part of the Young family. We couldn't afford much at the local farmers markets, so I had to hunt myself. Middle of paper I remember what happened. All I remember is that my body fell off the camel's back and my head hit a rock. I don't know how long I've been passed out but I can still see the moon; her beauty shines on my face so I guess it's still dark. My forehead currently has a huge gash and I'm coughing up blood. It's sad for me to think right now what this all boils down to. If you find this diary, please return it to my wife Aan. Well, if you are reading this journal right now, I want you to know that I love you and will always be with you no matter what. Please don't be afraid or worried about my loss, it was all my idea. Tell Aaiqa that I love her and will always be with her too. Please don't be afraid Aan. Right now, as you read this, I am standing by your side and holding you in my arms. I love you both so much… goodbye my love.