Miranda’s Uighur costume was due to be finished, so we returned to Mr. Shakeer’s shop in time to see some last-minute tailoring. Each of the zillions of sequins was sewn on BY HAND. We told Miranda this might be the first AND last time in her life she would ever have a made-to-order gown!
TA DA! Miranda posed in her new finery.
At the end of the first song, I glanced outside the glass door and by sheer coincidence (or was it? Who knows?) I saw Gul walking by with a friend! I waved her in and she sat down for the second song. It was slower, more lyrical and moving – it literally brought tears to Gul’s eyes. Who says Khotan has only three treasures? Tops, hats, Mr. Shakeer,
walnut candy and fabulous finery – the list is much longer than
that – and we haven’t even gotten to… (click
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