Akbar

Everything is here. I always carry this with me…

He’s short – height about 1,60 in centimeters, also with very short hair. Almost shaved. Lively, intelligent eyes and with a big mouth. A light brown fake leather jacket that is very worn. Black trousers with the zipper just and just in one piece. In one hand a small black sea captains hat and a small canvas bag, decorated with a flower broidery. It is half empty.
He is ready for a ten-month journey to Beijing.

But his most important piece is in his other hand – the Koran. Everything is there.
Akbar, 29 are our new interpreter – he replaced Adel who was sent back to Kashgar, not understanding why. Our hope is that Akbar’s language skills are on another level -compared with Adels. At least he seems to be smart… and a devout Muslim.

- Shakespeare is a great man and writer…and Emile Dzolla…
Our new team member has made his preferences regarding literature clear. Interesting trio: Zola, Shakespeare and prophet Mohammed. This after only five minutes of chatting.
I ask him about his experience with horses – none he says, but he insists that he loves animals. Hmm, very comforting.
He seems to be a nice guy even if his skills in the English language are not that great. In fact, it is quite hard to understand what he says. A strong Uyghur accent is tricky and thick. Not easy for us figure out.

- I hate Bush and I know that Russia attacked your country. They are shit. Helsinki is your capital…..I think it is very important for a guide to read history and prepare..

Reading he has - besides the Koran, Akbar studied literature in the University of Kashgar. After graduation there was no work so he decided to learn languages a bit more and become a guide/translator.
He comes from a poor family. His father is an engineer, who had an own enterprise. Not anymore. There is a lot on Akbars shoulders. Good for him that he has a brother who is a baker to share the burden of taking care of their parents. The brother has no time to pray several times a day - as Akbar does.
When asked about the situation for the Uyghur minority here in China –he puts his finger to the mouth and says “Shhh!. It is very dangerous to talk politics…”
Akbar is a very sincere young man – would be fragile if not for his strong religious beliefs. That keeps his world in order. A very kind person - but an interpreter on horseback he is not.
His biggest dream is to be able to make a pilgrimage to Mecca one day.

I hope he will, because Beijing will not be on the agenda for him.

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