Ayixiamu Xiayimu, a 46-year-old Uygur woman whose name means "moon," has long been the breadwinner in her family. After her husband suffered a heart attack several years ago, he could no longer work. Since then, she has supported her family by cleaning streets and collecting rubbish.
She saves every penny she can to support her youngest son, a student at a professional school in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in Northwest China.
On Monday night, Xiayimu's anticipation about the Olympic torch relay, which she would watch the following day, kept her awake all night.
"I am 46 years old and I have never seen any big event," she said.
She wore a traditional embroidered blouse in the Uygur style.
She held a white Olympic flag in one hand, and a red Chinese national flag in the other.
"There are so many people here. I am extremely happy," she said.
Xiayimu had come to watch the relay with two close friends.
Both friends also collect rubbish in the city.
One friend, Padanmu Kelimu, is a mother of two. Her name means "beauty."
"It is the first time that the Olympic flame comes to my home in Urumqi. I want very much to see the torch relay," she said.
"I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to see it."
The second friend, Atikemu Chong'a'hong, said that she was excited to share in the spirit of the Games.
"I want so much to see the Olympics in Beijing, but I don't have the time or money to go," she said. Chong'a'hong has never left her hometown.
She explained she has two young children who are still in school. "I need to work hard for money," she said.
"It is enough for me to watch the Olympics here."
The women's husbands were at work during the time of the torch relay. The women will share stories of the event with loved ones later.
"[My husband] is happy for me, and all my family members and neighbors are happy for me," said Kelimu.
"I will tell them what I see when I am off work this evening."
Palizha, an 18-year-old student who danced atop of one of the vehicles in the parade, said: "I wanted to apply for being a torchbearer, but I am going to join the national college entrance examination next year and my mother doesn't want anything else to distract my attention," she said.
"I want to study at one of the best universities in Beijing and to become a successful businesswoman in the future," Palizha said.
Source: China Daily
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