https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v en-us 2021-09-03 17:59:21 UTC 2025-10-16 01:10:06 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f3c1.png rebeccagraves1_2 https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1719986595 I am ready to head west From Chang'an with my goods with me. The goods I have to trade are silk, ceramics and bronze. Some difficulties I could face are going through the two deserts while being 4 months pregnant Or being pregnant in general. I've heard the deserts can be rough with little water. I will refer to my map by following the main Silk Road route. I am thinking maybe I should've brought a friend or someone to help me along the way besides my caravan leader. I will be sure to bring plenty of water to help me survive to keep me hydrated to carry this baby. I have been worried about disease ever since my husband died and now that I am pregnant I am even more worried and am hoping this baby will survive because it is the last thing I have with Pi Lin. I don't know how long the journey will be so I am not sure when I will give birth, or if my baby will last that long.]]> 2021-09-06 20:31:22 UTC https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1719986595 rebeccagraves1_2 https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722665188 Name - Qi Na
Age - 18
Race - Chinese
Merchant
Widowed
Born here in Chang'an, China
Going on Silk Road to trade and buy goods
4 months pregnant; husband passed away 2 months ago due to disease.
Hoping to find a better life for me and my baby and trade along the way for money and goods.]]> 2021-09-07 18:23:23 UTC https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722665188 rebeccagraves1_2 https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722684085 We have arrived in Dunhuang! We have traveled over 1,000 miles. I am now 6 months pregnant with my baby. It is a struggle! But, this is such a beautiful city. On our way here we ran into some beautiful Buddist caves. There are so many intricate designs and statues here. The walls were carpeted with hundreds of miniature buddahs. It made me intrigued by Buddhism. Tonight we sat around the campfire and some fellow travelers shared some teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. It was refreshing to hear and listen to all the different beliefs. Because so many people are coming from different cultures to trade, ideas and beliefs also get traded. The Silk Road will speed the expansion of religions.]]> 2021-09-07 18:32:44 UTC https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722684085 rebeccagraves1_2 https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722685802 Right now I am trudging through the Gobi Desert. I hear people can faint because of the heat and the sun here and get left behind by their caravan. I do not want to get left behind, because I would be lost forever. So I have decided to wright in my journal to keep me alert. The desert is hot. Like so hot I feel like I can barely function. We are going pretty well on the water supply. This is probably going to be the hardest thing i'll ever do. Traveling the Silk Road while pregnant. I am always tired. I am feeling like this wasn't a good idea. I hope for things to look up soon. I feel like I have been in the desert forever! Everything is the same, sand and sky. ]]> 2021-09-07 18:33:38 UTC https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722685802 rebeccagraves1_2 https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722689262 In my last journal entry, I said the hardest thing I have ever done was go through the Gobi Desert while pregnant. Well, let me tell you that is now second. I gave birth to my son yesterday here in Marakanda. This very very kind woman named Qi Na helped me. She was also on the Silk Road when we crossed paths. I named my son Lee. He is wonderful. Also here in Marakanda, I was able to trade My ceramics and my bronze for Ferghana Horses. I was super excited about this trade because now I will be able to get around more comfortably. Things are starting to look up on this trip and I feel like this was worth it. The city of Marakanda on the other hand is beautiful. Something like I have never seen before. ]]> 2021-09-07 18:35:29 UTC https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722689262 rebeccagraves1_2 https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722690204 Antioch is amazing. The architecture is impressive. This looks like a place I could raise Lee. I want to rebuild my life here. The past few months have been hard with a new baby but I am proud of myself for making it this far. Lee has so many features like his father. I love him more and more each day. The long journey I had endured was worth it! The caravan group I had gave me a great experience and was a great help to me. I feel glad I am staying here in Antioch for many reasons. One being I don't have to take the trip back to Chang'an. Another being how beautiful this city is!
The journey across the Silk Road will be one to remember because I do not foresee Lee and I to cross it again for a while. ]]> 2021-09-07 18:35:55 UTC https://padlet.com/rebeccagraves1_2/lfvqmc4qixtb9u7v/wish/1722690204