Gloria

I was told to go to 9 Eye Bridge and ask the guys lurking around. I did that, and then we walked about 15 minutes towards a dark alley. Twisted and turned down more alleys. Made my way up to the second floor of a run down apartment building with hallowed out rooms. No one lives there. But there were rooms and rooms of the right stuff. I finally found what I was looking for. We bargained and argued and fought for the best price. I was determined to pay no more than $15 US dollars for what I wanted. With the help of my very convincing negotiator Dana, I finally got what I went there for. Am I buying drugs? No. I don't buy drugs. But I do buy stolen bikes from the back alley stolen bike market. It's as creepy as it is as awesome. My new purchase: Gloria. She's fast, shiny, and quiet. I can get around this 14 million people-strong city in no time flat. I am obsessed with my new bike. I hope that on May 14th, the day before I leave China, somebody steals her from me and she gets put back into the cycle of stolen cycles. Only to make another as happy as my new bike has made me. The circle of life- Cue Elton John