Day 7 continues when, for the first time, Sheng tells me that his father is receiving cancer treatment in hospital. He is very ill; nose cancer discovered about six months earlier. Has been having further cancer treatment in hospital for the past five weeks, cared for by Sheng's mother. Life expectancy for father of two or three years. To pay for the cancer treatment his Mother has been sewing at home and has been helped by the rest of the family. Despite being a cancer patient, Father hopes to get home to Longzhou, to welcome me, before I get there. Sheng had sent a telex to the police in Longzhou for them to send a car to fetch him back to Longzhou.
Sheng Hopes and Dreams of Building A Hospital for Cancer Treatment.
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Take photo of Sheng on balcony overlooking the hotel gardens, window left ajar on leaving, much condensation in room on return later. Walk from hotel to Sheng's favourite small restaurant to have supper. Sheng tells me that more than anything else, he hopes that the cancer treatment given to his father will be effective. After supper take pedicab to photo shop. On second visit Sheng collects two films developed and printed. Some photos taken on plane and at the Buddhist Abbey saved; feared lost from openning A4 camera in the Abbey. Walk to night market. Street very busy but no westerners. Look down on market from shop balcony. Take pedicab driven by old driver back to hotel. Sheng talks about his life and ambitions. Dreams of staying with his uncle and family in the UK, and working in a restaurant . When he had saved £20,000 he would return to Longzhou to build small hospital where cancer treatment can be given to the local people when necessary. Has been selling packets of noodles at the University late at night, making a few cents profit on each packet. Some students very angry at being woken. Some would buy if he sang them a song. A night to remember, touched with sadness. Must sleep with one light on; switch faulty.
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