# Bazaar By [pitaya](https://paragraph.com/@pitaya) ยท 2022-09-30 --- In the memory of Yili, snow falls below knees every winter. In the unique tranquility and emptiness after the heavy snow, only the thrilling blue and the dazzling white are left in the sky and the earth, and the outlines of all objects become round and thick. In the extremely long winter days, people's life goes on as usual. Before dawn, when the snow was still glowing faint blue, there were the first lines of footprints on the snow, which were left by those who got up early to feed the cattle and sheep, the old people who got up early, and those who set off to go to the primary school in the village. . The cold wind that slashed the face, leftover rice, orange peels and sweet potatoes on the stove, numb fingers, screams in the playground, the exciting final exam of the primary school, and then the more exciting winter vacation. After I get my grades, if I do well in the test, I can go to my aunt's house, because I always do well in the test, and going to my aunt's house is a sure thing. The bus climbed the winding mountain road at a very slow speed for hours, and I leaned my head against the window of the car, drowsy from motion sickness, and saw the snow-capped mountains outside shining silver in the sun. When I got to the ferry at Yamatu, I got off the car and crossed the white-smelling Ili River by boat. After another ten minutes on a tricycle, I lifted the heavy cotton curtain of the tricycle, and I could see my aunt's small village. I spent most of my elementary school winter break there, and it was one of my happiest times. ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/4cdd8462972320f76b013928d4ff8debd2d592170b757d902693611a45341af4.png) Every village in Yining County has a fixed time to go to the bazaar (market) every week. In the village where my aunt lives, the bazaar is on Wednesday. Every day, there will be a lot of people at the intersection in the center of Zhuangzi, as if they appeared out of nowhere. From a distance, they look like a group of ants on the snow. They set up stalls to sell clothes, shoes and socks, small jewelry, hardware. , vegetables, snacks, etc. I've seen that golden butterfly hairpin with springs on its wings and shimmering movements in many bazaars and stores. I've always dreamed of having it, but I've never been able to because I have short hair - Mom finds it easy and neat. My aunt not only bought me a butterfly hairpin, but also a pair of pink head flowers with drop beads, layers of lace, and a cute little bee in the middle. My aunt also tied my long-lasting short hair into two small braids. On the day of rushing to the Bazaar, my uncle would generously give me pocket money. Everyone says he's a "stingy", but I've never felt that way. The small pickups parked on the side of the road carry all kinds of shoes and cotton trousers, as well as countless toys and other gadgets; a little further outside is selling vegetables, fruits and snacks; the most popular in Bazaar. The periphery extends to the open space outside the village, where chickens, ducks, cattle and sheep are trade ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1deaa1287667aceb0340c1d2a5bef05f7a930e196c6c61fb9f4400bd2327612b.png) d. The only shop in the village is usually the most lively place in the whole Zhuangzi, but at this time it shrank behind the big elm tree, the doors and windows were closed, and no one cared. The sweet potato stove was fragrantly hot under the big elm tree, next to tricycles displaying candied haws, sesame stalks and popcorn. Every time after noon, when the bazaar slowly disperses, I have eaten a lot of sugar, my hands are sticky, and I go home contented with a bunch of gadgets. ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/f9f4f4bde1a1ee3247f762e33ae0262f4a4fc7cfc2295b2766f61fbdf3a30a58.png) --- *Originally published on [pitaya](https://paragraph.com/@pitaya/bazaar)*