The Silk Road

The routes

For centuries,the Silk Road was the most important line of communication connecting modern day Xi'an with the Middle East and Europe,today one area in particular is associated most closely with the name of the Silk Road.This area is Xinjiang in Northwest China,through which two major routes of the Silk Road passed on the northern and southern side of the Taklamakan desert.

The name

The Silk Road got its name in the 19^th century when a German geographer identified it as the route through which the Romans got their silk from China.However,silk wasn't the only thing that passed along the Silk Road;anything that had buyers was traded along the road.Goods were traded from market to market passing through many hands before they reached their final destinations.

Buddhism

The Silk Road was not just the route through which goods were carried.It was also important for the exchange of ideas.Buddhism from India entered China along the Silk Road and had a huge influence on Chinese culture.Greek art styles were popular along the Silk Road and gave Buddhist statues in Northern India classical Western faces.These styles from Northerm India were also found in Xinjiang.

The people

One of China's famous monks,Xuan Zang,followed the Silk Road in the 6^th century to collect Buddhist scriptures from India.Around 600 years later,one of Europe's famous travellers,MarcoPolo,entered China along the Silk Road.Both Xuan Zang and Marco Polo left detailed records of their journeys along the Silk Road.

The Silk Road today

Today, the Xinjiang Autonomous Region remains an international crossroad where traders from surrounding countries,and tourists from all over the world regularly meet.Trade in precious stones,food,drinks,crafts,art,and of course,silk,contimues,too.

    The price office changes during the year.
    It is useful for rice farmers to know how the price changes, then they can sell their rice when the price is high. But it was hard for farmers to guess how the price would change from month to month. 
    Last year, the price of rice was very low in November. This was a bad time for farmers to sell their rice. November, December, and January were all bad months. The best month for farmers to sell rice last year was April. July and August were also good times to sell rice.
    Between August and November, the price of rice were down every month. During other parts of the year, the price went up and down.

    Kataria is the founder of the worldwide laughter movement. The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive activity for world peace and is to build up a global sense of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. The first “World Laughter Day” gathering（集会）took place in Mumbai, India, on 11th January 1998. 12, 000 members from India and international Laughter Clubs attended it. Now there are about 5, 000 Laughter Clubs worldwide on all 5 continents.

    “HAPPY-DEMIC” was the first World Laughter Day gathering outside India. It took place on 9th January 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark. “World Laughter Day” is now organized on the first Sunday of May every year. Hundreds of people gather worldwide on that day to laugh together.

    Today, the world has never faced so much unrest（动荡）before. People are at war within themselves. Laughter is a universal language, which has the ability to unite humanity without religion（宗教）. Laughter can build a common connection between various religions and create a new world order. So we believe that laughter and only laughter can unite the world, building up a global sense of brotherhood and friendship.

    Studies also say that laughter helps your body do the following: lower blood pressure; reduce stress; work out the heart, especially for those who are unable to perform physical exercise. So in life, when you can laugh, you should laugh loudly and with your entire body—because it's good for you.

    China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day (Longtaitou) is one of them. This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It stands for the start of spring and farming.

    The dragon is important for Chinese. We Chinese call ourselves the "descendants (传人,) of the dragon". Therefore, people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs.

    On the day in ancient times, people put ashes (灰) in the kitchen. This was to "lead the dragon into the house." People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest (收成) in autumn.

    Also, people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat "dragon whisker(细须)" noodles and dumplings called "dragon teeth".

    Today, many customs have disappeared. But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It is said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the uncles of the family--mainly mothers' brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.

    Many people go to different countries and live in different places in their lifetime. In different countries, they may meet with different manners. Sometimes they are puzzled by the different manners, and perhaps they may make a joke about those manners. So when we go to a strange country, we should pay attention to something new or dissimilar. For example, most Westerners are not concerned about protocol(礼仪) in social matters. But there are a few table manners the Easterners should try to observe(遵守)at all times.

    To start with, put the napkin on your lap. It protects your clothes from food or is used to wipe your hands or mouth when necessary.

    Hold the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left hand, and cut the meat or fish into pieces as you eat. Always use your fork to put food into your mouth. Use your spoon only for soup or other liquids.

    Do not put your own utensils (fork, knife, spoon) into the serving bowl. Use the utensil in the bowl to put some of the food on your own plate. And then return the serving utensil to the bowl.

    Do not spit food anywhere. If you have hones in your mouth, take them out with your fingers and place them on the edge of your plate, never on the table or floor.

    Do not reach across the table or in front of another person. Ask someone to pass whatever you want.

    Do not sneeze, cough or blow your nose anywhere except into a handkerchief or Kleenex (纸巾). Then you throw it into a waste paper basket or garbage can. If you cough, try to cover your mouth with your hand.