Dying grandpa 'travels' around the world
Ling and his granddaughter Yifan
It may seem impossible for an aged man suffering from terminal cancer to 'tour the world', but kind-hearted netizens have made it happen within a week.
The miraculous journey started after Ling Yifan, a 29-year-old illustrator from Beijing, posted on Weibo a plea to 'take' her grandfather to 'travel' around the world last Friday.
She also attached portrait of her grandfather – 86-year-old Ling Ruiming.
"My grandpa is sick with only a few days left," she wrote.
"All he wanted to do is to travel around the world. Could you please do him a favour by taking a photo with his portrait wherever you are?"
Ling in Italy, US and South Africa
Netizens from all over the world immediately responded to the post, which has been forwarded over 90,000 times, and took photos of Ling at different locations.
So far, the grandpa has 'traveled' to more than 20,000 places including the River Thames in England, the Berlin Wall in Germany, New York City, Russia, Japan and South Africa.
"A friend even took a picture of his portrait at the South Pole," said Yifan.
Ling in Edinburgh (top) and Thailand
Ling, despite his weak state, felt delighted and grateful to see the pictures. He tried to look at each of them but was too tired to do so for too long.
"I am going to be world-famous," said the retired engineer.
Yifan said she was especially touched by a friend in Thailand, who spent the whole day visiting temples in Chiengmai with a portrait of her grandfather and praying for his health.
"No matter how long my grandpa holds on and whether there will be a miracle or not, he has been blessed," she said.
Yifan said Ling has long dreamt of travelling around the world.
"It's a miracle to see his dream finally 'accomplished' at the very end of his life," she said.
Let's help Ling (print portrait) travel to more places, take a photo and send to www.weibo.com/buddyling.
Source: China Daily
Published May 16, 2012
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