Petty Theft

An act of petty theft has left me without camera. An entire month of photos from China lost in one instant...I was bicycling to visit a "water cave" (a popular tourist attraction) and a two young guys on a motorcycle rode up right beside me and took my backpack out of my basket attached to my bike. I was lucky to have only my camera and a cheap chinese towel in the bag, so my wallet was spared. It was the most bold move I have ever seen or experienced. I was outraged and attempted to Chase them, but as a peddled as fast I could my legs gave out and when I finally stopped I broke into tears. Before coming to China my car was stolen. Although I did get the vehicle back, $4000 worth of my belongings was taken, including my camera. So this is now the second camera to be taken and my second police report filed within the last few months. As I have told this Story to other travelers in Yangshuo and to caution them during their stay, I have heard numerous other tales of similar acts of theft. One girl was at the post office and had heard purse strapped over her shoulder when someone came up and, with scissors, cut her purse off and ran away. Her wallet, passport, departure card and everything else important was taken. I met a guy who bought a brand new computer in beijing. He went to head home on the metro and the computer was taken...it was still in its box!! I met a couple who were traveling in Thailand. The guy was going to propose to his girlfriend during their vacation and the wedding ring was stolen out of his backpack. He still proposed and she said yes, but with no ring. So I guess now I am just apart of the statistics.

Yangshuo, China