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Li pleaded with the cop, explaining her husband needed to eat because of his disease. He perhaps saw past her fib but took pity on them and gave them one minute to scarf the calories.

They fell ill several months after their journey through the Middle East, yet plan to live in Northern Europe this year to immerse themselves in the culture.

Li enjoys engaging locals on the road, picking up information and friends along the way.

"We're touched that many strangers helped us."

They recall a man in Britain who, after taking his wife home, accompanied them in the rain on a bus to their hotel at 3 am after they missed their train.

The couple says traveling afar together has brought them closer.

"We've gone through thick and thin on the road," she says.

"It's not easy."

Li literally thrusts her husband out of his comfort zone.

Many foreigners have wanted to hug or cheek-kiss Kong upon discovering he's Confucius' 74th-generation descendent.

"He tries to dodge the kisses. But I push him forward," she says, smiling.