2
decades ago, I had come to this exact same place at this exact same time of the year. I saw a clear sky and
a postcard picture of the Dragon.
But now, someone had painted the entire scene grey.
“
Ma’am, are you ready for filming?” the cameraman asked. I nodded really slowly, taking the microphone
that had National Geographic printed on the side. It usually was as light as feather, however, that day, it felt as
heavy as the very bricks that supported my being.
“
The Great Wall of China,” I began, as I started the walking. I observed graffiti on the bricks, rubbish
scattered around, cigarettes abandoned everywhere I looked. Tissue paper, plastic bags, discarded food
packaging peppered the stone path. It felt like a rubbish dump rather than a renowned monument. I cringed.
As I went on narrating the documentary, plans formed at the back of my mind, plans to make a difference,
plans to save my favourite monument in the world, for the sake of the heritage the world forgot to take good
care of.
December 2007
A fine day in Paris.
I walk into a typically modern office building and reach the 7th floor. I hustle along the corridor and listen to
my heels knock against the shellacked floorboard. I sense a sense of urgency there; maybe because the matter is
urgent, at least to me. It has already been almost a half year since I filmed that documentary.
I pass by a golden plaque. On it, there is a big logo that looks like a courthouse, and underneath, a slogan
that reads
World Heritage is our Heritage.
I’ve arrived. I push open the glass door beside the plaque.
“
Bonjour, welcome to UNESCO Headquarters. May I help you?” the clerk greets me cheerfully.
“
Yes,” I say, handing her the finished version of our documentary. “Tell your manager we would like a
partnership. We’re going to save a dragon.”
* * *