<p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">In lesson 9 of NCE we learned that Alfred the Great acted as his own spy, disguising as a minstrel to obtain Informations from his enemy. In my life I have never seen a spy with my own eyes, but I have met a minstrel when traveling in Russia.</p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">It was a beautiful autumn day. I joined a group for an one-day tour on the island of Baikal Lake （貝加爾湖). The 10 group members were from different countries, while the most special one was a French lady who was in her seventies. Though it was only an one-day tour, she brought some strange luggages: a harp , which was made by herself; a tree branch which she had picked somewhere and would brought with her everywhere; and a bag for keeping the harp, also DIY by herself, decorated with several copies of the Beijing Daily newspaper .</p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">The French lady seemed not very eager to enjoy beautiful view. Every time when we stopped , she would jump onto a big stone, or just sat on the ground, began playing her harp and singing. We didn't understand what she was singing. Her voice was low , as if in harmony with the sound of lake waves. A couple of young Dutches volunteered to record videos of her when she was doing so.</p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">In a valley, we had a free time to wander around. One hour later, when everyone had come back, the old minstrel was missing. With some small stones and tree branches, group members made a signal for her at the cross of the roads. Thanks goodness , before we finished our picnic, the old lady came back. </p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">On the next day we had another one-day tour to another direction, but the old minstrel didn't join us. She told us she would continue her journey with her harp, singing and wandering untill the end of her life. She said she had got a personal website and wished our close attention and thumbs up. When talking about this old minstrel, we all burst into laughter. </p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">We know that French people are romantic, but seldom know French old ladies are romantic in this way.</p>