Day 6 continues with drive back to hotel, first taking two young brothers Dong and Lee, (Kates cousin from Hunan) to collect their bikes. Water in hotel bathroom still cold, drink many cups of Chinese tea. Sheng talks about conversation with young Nun. He is very happy, starts telling jokes, 'One man's loss of hair', 'Woman has young lover in cupboard', 'Old man at birthday party', 'Phone call to Russia'. Lao Ma arrives with our train tickets to Nanning. Sheng settles our Guilin account of 900 yuan. Cui takes Sheng to visit his friend; they go by bike. Whilst alone I start writing poscards. Phone rings but I can not understand speaker. Later there is a knock on the door, receptionist there, but there is a great language problem. She goes to bathroom points to bathroom taps and writes times on paper, 7pm to 9-30pm. Hot water on-tap during this period, leaves with a big smile when she was satisfied that I had understood. Another knock on door, waitress brings in two large thermos flasks full of hot water.
Celebrate Grandma's 80th Birthday; Chef Comes To Table After Meal.
Kate's father arrives bringing two paintings from previous night. Leave hotel with family for restaurant. Ride in Vespa-Taxi; fast drive over hump-backed bridge, nearly go through roof. Meet Kate's grandma at her 80th birthday dinner, and Zhe's neighbour as extra guest. Go to table and served with Chinese tea. Sheng and Cui arrive having met Sheng's girlfriend. Six years since their last meeting, given copy of book written by her. Sheng all smiles. Food brought to table... spectacular... take photo for record. At end of meal Chef arrives to ask whether meal was satisfactory. Sheng takes photo of me shaking Chef's hand. After meal, Sheng and Cui cycle back to hotel whilst Zhe, Lao Ma, Jing, Chang, and I return by Vespa-taxi.
Hotel Staff Carry Hot Water From Ground Floor To Bathroom
At hotel grounds Zhe tells of natural shape of Osmanthus trees growing in Campus grounds. The tree flowers have a beautiful scent in October. Sheng and Cui arrive later, so we walk back to our room. Air very hot, fan not working. Annoyed Sheng picks up phone and speaks to Receptionist. Air-Condition comes back on 10 minutes later, then Receptionist rings to ask if everything satisfactory. I go to bathroom, find bath full of very hot water. Later find that hotel staff carried buckets of hot water from ground floor to bathroom. Sheng watches Hong Kong Kung Fu film on TV... face completely expressionless. Zhe and Cui arrive, Zhe gives Sheng a special Chop (Seal) cut for him by Kate's brother, Jing. Sheng gives our bag of presents to Zhe for his family. Sheng watches TV till end of programs at midnight. Set alarm for 6 am, room very hot despite fan, struggle with sleep.
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