Last July, Jason packed his latest sneakers and a bag of souvenirs he had bought at a local market. He was heading to the countryside to visit his grandparents for a week. When he arrived at the small train station, his grandfather was already there with an old handtruck, ready to carry the luggage back home.
When Jason arrived, scores of childhood memories flooded back. His grandparents welcomed him with warm refreshments — steaming beancurd soup and a plate of chips fried in the traditional style. In the corner of the living room sat a large birdcage with two bright-green parrots. His grandmother explained that keeping birds indoors was one of the old customs of the village.
Every morning, Jason would walk sideway along the narrow path to the nearby postbox, checking for letters. One day, he discovered a colorful postcard from Oceania — sent by a pen pal he had made online. The mornings are peaceful in the countryside, and Jason loved to look up at the wide blue sky, something he rarely had time for in the city.
In the afternoons, neighborhood children gathered in the field. They played skipping games and a traditional game called cance, which involved tossing wooden rings onto posts. After hours under the sun, Jason realized he was badly sunburnt. That evening, he helped his grandmother fold the fresh bedclothes and beddings she had hung out to dry.
On the fifth day, Jason's grandfather decided to have a word with him about his future plans. They sat at the dinner table and talked for hours. His grandfather, a retired science teacher, shared stories about his favorite element, radium, and how Marie Curie's discovery had changed the world. Jason listened carefully and felt deeply inspired.
On their last full day, Jason and his cousin went into town. They decided to grab a bite at a small noodle shop before exploring the weekly street market. Jason spent the afternoon looking for unique souvenirs to bring back to his friends — small painted stones, dried herbs, and handmade bookmarks.
As the train pulled away from the station, Jason looked out of the window and thought about the week he had spent in the countryside. He carried with him not only souvenirs but also a deeper understanding of the customs and traditions that shaped his grandparents' lives. It had been, without a doubt, the best summer he could remember.