This morning I went by a restaurant on a route. I went to the people chatting in front and gestured if I could eat there. It was around 7 o'clock, still early, but I thought they might have prepared soft rice, which was ordinary breakfast in China. Grandma said "no soft rice" then something else. I thought they had another food prepared. So I repeated the word as she said, meant ordering that food, and went to the restaurant. Something was a bit strange though. They were laughing behind.
Grandma prepared me a basin of hot water, to wash my hands and face, and a towel. I appreciated that since I hadn't washed my face or hands with soap for a couple of days.
She washed her hands in the same basin later, and went to the kitchen. Water might be important, I thought.
She took a long time in the kitchen. Meanwhile her son tried to have conversation with me in writing, asked me about my bicycle or how far I could go a day and such. He was having fun.
Then he asked about Nanchin. I cannot avoid the question as long as I'm in China. I just wrote down "grief". He didn't ask about the matter any further, then wrote "It's important to have friendly relationship between China and Japan." I agreed that.
He also asked me about if I'd had any difficulty while traveling in China, as I was a Japanese. I said no. In fact, most of the people I'd met didn't show me any hostility towards me being a Japanese, so far. Many of them were rather very friendly. However, the situation should not be so optimistic. Otherwise he wouldn't have asked such question.
The breakfast finally came out. It was soft rice! So, what she said in the beginning wasn't about another food but something like "it would take time" or "we are not open yet". That's why they laughed when I went in the restaurant first. Gee. I was sorry for her. But she was still kind to me and asked me for more. I had two bowls, and some quick-made vegitable dish and garlic. It was very nice breakfast with their hospitality.
As I left, the son wrote me "一路平安", which means "Drive careful", and saw me off with his wife.
7 July 2008, 呼和浩特(Fufuhoto), 2572km
