The Third Hand

Wednesday, July 21, 2010.

It started out a  great day. I woke up early, hoping to make it to the Bund in the morning to see the groups of people dancing. I made it there around 7 am, and by that time, the sun was already fully out There were less groups than expected though. Exiting out of Nanjing Dong Lu Station, I found myself on the usually overly crowded Nanjing Pedestrian street. This morning, it seemed empty. There were a few people sleeping on the chairs, a few groups dancing with red flags. I could finally take a picture of just me with the Nanjing Pedestrian sign.

I then made my way to the Bund, stopping to take a picture of the first light bulb in Shanghai (?). Within a few minutes, I was at the Bund, newly remodeled and reopened earlier in the year. I found one group of people dancing with swords, but as I walked up the stairs, to the main walkway, I was instead faced with tourists like myself and kite-flyers. After taking countless pictures of the Pudong side, I started heading back to People's Square. My plan was to walk along Fuzhou Lu, find the music store (to buy an Erhu Book), and rest in Starbucks before heading to my interview.

Fuzhou Lu I went. And, away goes my cellphone. After arriving in Starbucks, I looked for my phone to remember the drink a friend had recommended. Instead, I found the front zipper of my backpack opened, and my cellphone bag hanging out, unzipped. Missing in action were my cellphone (newly bought in May) and my transportation card. I quickly freaked out, and pulled out my computer to call my family. Based on my walk that morning, I've concluded that my phone must have been stolen along Fuzhou Lu. I can't however, remember standing for long enough for someone to do so.

As I think back on it now, it seems like it was obviously my fault. I should have had my backpack in the front. I had done so previously, but as time as passed, I feel as though I have become more relaxed. Lesson learned.

This reminds me again of the image of China. One thing they always tell tourists is to beware of pickpocketers and thieves.

Let's bring up Starbucks again. I want to sincerely thank one worker in particular at Starbucks. She helped me connect my computer to the internet, let me borrow the Starbucks phone, etc. When I went back to that same Starbucks a few days later, she saw me and smiled, recognizing me from the other day. When I went to pay for my drink, she asked if I found my phone, and I was touched that she remembered and still cared.