I'm carried away in style as region sweeps me off my feet

I'm carried away in style as region sweeps me off my feet

I'm carried away in style as region sweeps me off my feet

I literally got carried away when a broad-shouldered young man wearing a red velvet jacket trimmed with gold, complete with matching doppa hat, scooped me up in his arms and charged through a door labeled " Bridal Suite" .

We had nearly completed a re-enactment of an authentic Uygur wedding at Xiangfei Park in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Despite my flushed cheeks, the collective gaze of a captive audience, and having a husband more than 3, 000 kilometers away in Beijing yet to learn of my adventure, a smile played across my face the entire time.

Although it was just a performance, the experience to my mind was symbolic of my entire journey to Xinjiang - a region that swept me away with its hospitality, and left me feeling a sense of camaraderie with many people I met.

A brilliant parade of summer flowers bloomed along the winding path through the Kashgar village that led me to the home of Aliya Imam, 23, who runs a homestay with her family. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of the joy of being able to work from home so that she could take care of her baby. Seated almost shoulder-to-shoulder with her in the corner of the room, I felt as if I was connecting with an old friend.