The Fallen Leaf Shall Return to It's Root - 落叶归根

Back towards the land where my blood originated for 5 days. PuTian, FuZhou, China, in a Village called Qin Zhong Village where my ancestors are form.

Day 1, everything was strange and different to me, met people i never knew, listening to language i never listened, surrounded by environment i've never been. Old people came to me calling me grandchild, youngsters came calling me brother when i feel strange but somehow related to. Me and my family then stayed in one of our relative's house where they borrowed us their rooms and cooked our delicious meals.

Day 2, Our relatives again made us delicious meals that made me a little sorry for troubling them. Then we are brought to Mei Zhou Island for a tour and for lil prayers and offerings towards the God "Ma Zhu". We started taking pictures and got closer to one another that makes me feel more connected towards each. Next headed to town getting some souvenirs and back to the village. This time heading back to the village, something somehow struck me making me feel warm and belong to the village. Night had came, relatives come and go to pay us visit.

Day 3, The day came whereby we had to get ready to burn offerings and perform prayers towards our ancestors burried on top of the hill. We climbed through high hills, cleared those grown grass, boys, girls, elderly and youngsters all came together without complain. It is an annual event where the "Whole" of the family will gather from different places to pay their respect and show their filial piety towards the deceased. Going back to the village this time we are going back as "One Family" bearing the same surname, same flow of blood, with the same culture and the same origin. Night arrived early as it is winter.

Day 4, Figured the next day will be the day we have to "again" part with our family and go through the usual daily routine, everyone silent for a moment but picked up in a very short while. We were brought to the South Shaolin for visit and shopping places to shop for souvenirs. Before the night arrives, we reached back to get ready for the "Entire Family" reunion dinner which consists of approximately 100 people. The elderly cooked, the youngsters helped along whereby the kids are having fun playing by the side. As a guests and a "family", i was asked not to trouble myself by helping, therefore, I'm gathered around the kids and teach them what i knew. Kids started to hang around me very often. Where there are still certain names that floats in my mind often "weng yi na", "weng yi jing". The dinner begin, a total of 18 delicious dishes are served, we all sat together and ate as a "Family". It enhances the bond of "belonging" towards the village. "Although we're far away but we still flow the same blood", our spirit didn't leave.

Day 5, It was the last morning during the period for us to spend in the village, our heart appeared heavy. I woke up very early in the morning hoping to not causing too much of a heavy heart for my relatives, cracking up a smile on my face. It all melted when i came down to the hall, "Weng Yi Jing" came telling me how his younger brother ages 4, woke up in the morning waiting for me by the gate calling me. Felt so bad i had to leave, hope i could stay to teach them more i could. I went over biding goodbye to the kids and went back preparing before the cab arrives. While preparing, relatives, old and young came by bringing us tons of food and souvenirs that comes up to 30kgs. We refused on the beginning but persuaded to accept after hours of persuasion. "We don't want you to bring anything back, as long as y'all are back with us, we are happier than ever." is what they said that caused my heart feeling heavier. The cab arrived, everyone came out biding us goodbye, hugging each with the heavy heart they said "Must come back often to pay us a visit. We'll never know how many more times we could meet. This is our root, where we belong, therefore never forget to come back." that struck my mind for the name "落叶归根"(The Fallen Leaf returns to the Root). With a heavy heart and a moving car we bidded everyone goodbye, a small group of them even booked another cab sending us to the airport, a journey of 1 hour 15 minutes. In the airport, we proceeded with all the necessary procedure and we are then bidded a teary goodbye by our relatives. A 7 hour of process(including 5 hours flight) and finally we returned to where we are again. Back to the square one. Always thinking when will be the next I'll return to where i belong again. Goodnight.