Sunday Apr 7 8:30am. 9 hours to go.
Bill started the tradition when his dad died. It was April 2020 and after Covid
hit, the Chinese government cancelled his 10-year visa. New visas were issued
for emergency only but Bill chose not to kowtow. Dad went to the hospital
for acute pancreatitis and passed away in two weeks. That day, Bill started
a fast. Over the years, guilt has fed on itself and he has stuck to the personal
48-hour ritual around QingMing, the 15th day after the spring equinox.
The darkest hour struck last evening, one day into the fast. The mystery he was
reading was not exactly engaging at this point. He kept popping in the kitchen
and could barely repress the urge for a bite. Each time, however, he reminded
himself of his pledge and return to his desk. Things went on like that for a
couple of hours and the hunger pangs passed.
11:30pm. He went to bed, later than usual to make sure he was drowsy. As a
habit, disturbing thoughts started to crowd his mind once he lay down. His jaws
and face flexed unconciously as he tried to relax. It was a battle. An empty
stomach does not help but focusing on breathing does. His feet would stay chilly
until he wins. He lost twice before and was keyed up all night. This round, it
took an hour or two. His feet warmed up and he fell asleep soon after.
Upon waking up at 7:30am, he did not crave food and his mind was clear. He did
10 reps of sun salutation and toe-to-the-bar ab curls and weighed 157.6 lbs.
In addition to books, Bill kept coffee brewing. He found the black liquid a
great companion, especially during a fast. It hydrated the body with no calories
added and sipping the bitter drink gave him something to do.
At noon, he trotted over to the library and back in 70 minutes. His hunger felt
almost pleasant as he brisk-walked through the sweet-scented early-spring
neighborhoods, sweating and imagining the body deep in autophagy, recycling old
and damaged cells.
4:30pm. After reading on the balcony for three hours, he felt weak and
light-headed. The hunger had advanced but only one hour remained.
5:30pm. Break the fast with an avocado, a Blue Moon (Belgian beer), pecans,
cashew nuts, brown rice, a can of sardines and a quarter can of SPAM, Chinese
pickled vegetables, and a cup of decaf joe.
