Though we hate to go, we must say good-bye to hotel staffs. There has been different scenery continued once we left from Tibet. I saw some donkeys or sheep drinking water. They must be livestock or something. I pass through by them thinking if someone ask me to draw " PEACEFUL SERENE". I will recall this one.
This trip I was not alone. Okuda was with me. He was some year junior in cycling club in same University. One day I went to drinking place with him at Gotanda Tokyo. When I talked about Tibet trip plan to him, he took it very seriously. It was a vaguely trip plan however the plan was moved him because he was already satisfied with biking in domestic. My trip plan was just hit his desire. After 6 months we started to get ready for the trip.
We saw a village after runining 60km at last. We were very tired for the first day so we decided to stay here. We don't need to hurry up. We have still left to go. We asked Tibetan people who gathered if there is any restaurant around here. I made a gesture for eating noodle...
I said, "Sakan do? (Is there any restaurant?)"
A Tibetan "min do... (No, there isn't.)"
I couldn't catch them clearly but maybe it could judge from their gesture.
Marlboro for small token
We were allowed to pitch a tent in a vacant lot in village. In a few minutes a crowd of people had gathered at the tent. They watched every move we made with great interest.
Starting boiling water, someone asked
"No meal yet?"
with gesture.
If I say no, they might have invited us for meal at their home. However we wanted to stay bed early today because of fatigue so we couldn't afford to worry about Tibetan people. We declined the offer of the meal very politely even if we missed the chance.
After that there were no signs of their having leaving from tent so I held out Marlboro for small token. I noticed from their give-and-take. There seems to be landowner of this vacant lot. A man who received the Marlboro asked...
"Di-kon ka-twe-re?" (How much is this?)
I said "20 Gen"
He was smiling with great satisfaction.
"Shim Sham-nango (Good night) Shim Sham-nango...
I repeated good night like utter an incantation. And then they understand and left finally.
After we had a meal, we become sleepy soon in silence.
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