22 Aug 2008, 6585km

A story of a few days ago while I was in China, at Lake Salik which was along the pass to the border of Kazakhstan.
When I was reparing puncture on the lake side, a man came to help me. Actually I didn't need his help. The repair was nearly done. But I could see he was worrying about me. I've often seen on roads that Chinese people help each other that way. So I just let him do.
He was checking the tube with putting his ear on it, then gestured to me that he heard air leaking on the part I just put a rubber patch. He listened there again and again to make it sure where it was, but the road behind was too noisy to do that with tracks and cars frequently going by.
Next moment he dribbled on it, the hell of A LOT!
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"
"There is water right in front of you in the bottle if you want to do that!"
I was shouting in my mind but couldn't show it on my face. He was damn serious, doing it again and again, trying to find out where the hole was. He couldn't find it. I hurried to let him stop, told him with gesture that I'd check it in a hotel room later with water, and would just change tubes now. He understood that.
He stayed till I finished changing tubes and put back the tire, helping me with holding the bike and such. I gave him some apples I had to show him my appreciation for his help. He was happy, ate one at once and grinned. I saw peels in his teeth.
Well, it's fun to remember now. I checked the tube in a hotel room with water in Kazakhstan. There was no hole.