Mobile madness

I have been pretty proud of myself lately when it comes to utilizing advanced technology. I have broken through the Chinese firewall, which allows me unlimited access to the Internet. I have unlocked my IPhone, I have gotten Steve's IPad up and running and a new Mac computer online. All was well, until...

Today we explored the "Super Brand Mall." Seriously, that it what it is called, because brand names are "super," at least in China. The mall is enormous, 9 massive floors of retail space and thousands of shoppers. It took Steve 15 minutes in line at McDonald's for happy meals. This was after the kids shunned the sushi that travels past via conveyor belt that Steve and I ate. Needless to say it was pretty chaotic and people were snapping photos of us as we ate, see previous blog for explanation. We did manage to navigate the Toys-r-Us and each kid was satisfied, all but Mom.

In order to get my shopping fix and check out the playing field, I headed out for Shanghai's premier shopping area on Nanjing road. This was, I wouldn't say the Michigan Ave of shopping, but it is a large outdoor walking mall with aspirations of being up to Michigan or 5th Ave, shopping standards. Like everything in China, it again is massive in size and capacity. While I was trying to get the lay of the land my phone was doing the weirdest thing. It kept on texting me in Chinese. It was like rapid fire a text every 15 seconds and I couldn't get it to stop. After 20 minutes of this watching my battery dwindling... I realized I was alone in the middle of the city with no language skills and no phone. I started to worry, not panic. I just recognized I was in quite a predicament.

After shunning several, what I call purse peddlers... You know "Lady, you like nice purse, how bout watch!" The next dude that came my way, I said, "no purse, read this" and showed him my phone. The response "You have no money!" He meant on my phone... Great, so I am alone in a city with 22 million Chinese people with "No money" on my phone, which means no service to call for backup. So, dramatic pause, do I panic? No. I start looking for a China Unicom, to see if I can fix my problem. But it did kill my shopping excursion. After getting nowhere, with China Mobile (the competitor product which appears to be the Kmart of mobile services), I looked to the only souls interested in helping me. The purse peddlers!!! The next guy that approached me, you know I have "sucker"written across my forehead, which means these guys approach me almost as frequently as I was getting Chinese texts. I pulled the same trick. "Read this" as I showed him my phone. "Ahhhh you have no money" At least it was the same response as the other guy. So I say "I need China Unicom" Ahhh as he nods his head and directs me to come with him. Off down a side road we go. By the way did I mention it is hot, at this point I feel sweat dripping from every appendage. We stop at a guy whose shop is the size of a closet and in his small glass case are various cards. He looks at my phone, "slow, bad sim card." "I don't need sim card, I just need money on my phone" he nods as he continues punching numbers into my phone. "OK 100 Yuan" which is like $15 US dollars. "You call and check" How could I explain to him that by now I had so little battery left, I was worried I wouldn't be able to call for my pick up. Sure enough, I was back in business.

Here is the question, throughout this the purse dude stood by my side, do you go check out his goods or do you say thanks, see ya later? Since I try to be a good ambassador for America, I agreed to check out what the purse dude had to sell on the underground market.

Off I go down an even more obscure alley into another closet sized room. In this room are 3 more purse peddlers. "You need T-shirt" no, I don't need a T-shirt, although I am so sweaty by now, I actually probably did. Back to another room where I exam an array of bad fakes. It just so happens on my arm is a real coach purse and wallet that I can feel for reference. Then I spy another door, hidden, but yet visible. Inside are the creme de la creme of knock offs. Still knock offs, but much better to the touch. "Ahhh you know good quality," they reply. There is Gucci, Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton. I find a practical piece, a Louis Vuitton purse, that can also fit around the waist. Dare I say "fanny pack," no a practical piece that can allow mom to be hands free, and it is officially called a waist bag. They quote 750 RMB which is over a hundred dollars. I counter with 350 RMB. Then I realize, I am low on cash. Their response is how much do you have. 320 RMB. Sold! I am sure I have a lot to learn in the bargaining process, but I did get less than 50% of the asking price and paid around $40 US dollars. Still probably too much, but, you live and learn. Overall they were nice people, and the purse guy did go out of his way to be helpful, so I guess it was a service charge.

Now, I have no cash, but a phone that works very little battery and a purse I did not need. Thankfully the purse place was air conditioned, so at least I have cooled off. Now the purse guy has determined it is his mission to find me a bank. I step back on to the street, I look up, and there is my car and driver. Saved. Off I go back to the safety of my expat compound. I am sure I will venture back for a more relaxed shopping experience in the future.