時間：2003年7月
地點：塔什庫爾干縣城
故事：你就是燕婭婭？
　　這是一次有趣的相遇，我在縣城搭車，開車的是一個塔吉克青年，會說漢語。當他知道我從北京來，提出讓我幫他一個忙，我問他什麼事情，他說，你認識一個叫燕婭婭的嗎？我一聽，簡直不可思議！在萬里之外的帕米爾高原，竟然能遇到一個會說漢語還能一口叫出我名字來的人，更有意思的是，我就在他眼前。我沒有馬上回答，讓他先下車，他說幹什麼？我說你下來就知道了。
　　小夥子從車裏下來，我說，你先跟我握個手吧，他說為什麼？我說握完你就知道了。小夥子糊裏糊塗跟我握了一下手，我才說，我就是燕婭婭。
　　你就是燕婭婭？小夥子驚訝得說不出話來。
　　這個年輕人叫毛拉，在北京學習雕刻，像他這樣在北京讀書的塔吉克人，十多年來我還是第一次碰到。我馬上提出請他為我做翻譯，他一聽，說要跟父親商量一下，然後就飛一樣的跑了。
　　很快，他又飛一樣的跑回，告訴我，他的父親一聽是給燕婭婭當翻譯，馬上就同意了。他的父親在縣城開小賣部，他們是從CCTV《半邊天》節目知道我的。
　　有毛拉做翻譯和嚮導，我想做的事，要比任何一次都容易。
　　毛拉把車開到一個村子最熱鬧的地方，往那兒一站，用塔吉克語指著他面前所有的老鄉，你——你——還有你——
　　他說的話我一句也聽不懂，但顯然他在佈置任務，像個大將一樣。那些被他點到的人出奇地聽指揮，聽完他說的話，馬上就去辦了。
　　大約不到10分鐘，只見人們穿著嶄新的、五顏六色的衣服從各個房間裏走出，走到了我面前。大約30多個人，男女老少都有，花花綠綠一大片。毛拉得意地問：你要哪個？
　　這樣的場面，還是第一次見到，我的感動自不必說。
　　人群中，有一個小女孩被我認了出來，上次CCTV做節目時，她在鏡頭裏出現過。當時，她穿著一身藍衣服，戴著紅頭巾。一年後的今天，她依然穿著這身衣服，在人群裏微笑著。
　　這就是塔吉克人。
　　謝謝毛拉。

Time :  July, 2003
Location :  The City of Tashikuergan
Story :  Are you Yan Yaya?
　　I had an interesting encounter one day while taking a ride downtown in the city of Tashikuergan.  The driver was a Tajike young man who could speak Han.  When he discovered that I came from Beijing, he immediately made a request.  I asked how I could assist and he said, “Do you know someone named Yan Yaya?”  When I heard this, I could hardly believe it.  At a remote place in the Pamir Mountains, I met someone who not only could speak Han, but had heard of my name.  Even more coincidental was that I was standing before him.  I did not reply him at first instance but asked him to step down from the car.  He asked me “why” and I told him that he would soon find out.
　　When the young fellow got off the car, I asked him to shake hands with me.  He was puzzled and asked me for the reason.  I again told him that he would soon find out after the greeting.  The young man therefore shook hands with me, though not knowing why, and I told him, “So, I am Yan Yaya”.
　　“Are you really Yan Yaya!?”  It seemed unbelievable to the young man.
　　The young man, named Maola, was studying carving in Beijing.  He was the first Tajike people I knew who was studying there, for the past decade.  I suggested that he become my interpreter, he said he had to ask his father for permission.  Then quick as a wink, he left. 
　　After a short while, he returned.  When his father learnt that he was going to be the interpreter of Yan Yaya, he immediately gave his consent.  His father had a small store in town, and had heard about me from the programme “The Hemisphere”, produced by CCTV.
　　With Maola as my interpreter and tour guide, it became quite convenient for me to do anything I wanted.
　　Maola drove his car to the most bustling place in town.  When we arrived, he used the Tajike dialect to command the clansmen, “You, … you … and you …”
　　Although I was unable to understand a word from him, it was obvious that he was giving orders, like a general.  Surprisingly, everyone followed his instructions.
　　In less than ten minutes, the clansmen all came out from different houses, wearing brand new and colourful clothing.  There were about thirty of them, men and women of all ages, wearing clothing with bright and beautiful patterns.  Maola was pleased, “which one would you prefer?”
　　This was my first time seeing such a spectacular scene, and needless to say, I was profoundly touched.
　　I spotted a girl in the crowd, she appeared in a programme presented by CCTV last year.  At that time, she was wearing blue and with a red scarf on her head.  A year later, she was still wearing the same clothing, smiling in the middle of the crowd.
　　These were the Tajike people.
　　I am deeply grateful to Maola.