bike 麻烦

When I first moved to this city some American friends who had lived here before me had written a song called "bike mafan" (I'll have to explain mafan in another post) about bikes getting stolen, bikes seats getting stolen, and having to ride one bike while taxing another bike beside it.  

I have had my own share of bike mafan during my days in China, starting with the first bike I owned in China getting stolen in less than 36 hours.  

Today, we're writing a new verse.  Because our complex is still being built, the underground parking garage is one area not yet finished.  (although we found out today it's suppose to open tomorrow).  Until the garage is finished, the normal bike parking area is behind the building next to us.  Yesterday it was POURING down rain and I was trying to get Catherine out of the rain as quickly as possible so I left my bike outside our building.  

Today...no bike.  :(  I can't remember exactly, but I think it's the 4th bike I've had stolen.  (total, not since we've been here this time).  This particular bike was left here by some folks who returned home over the summer so it wasn't new or especially nice or pricey.  The biggest issue was that it was the bike we had Catherine's bike seat attached to.  And not just any child bike seat.  A child bike seat made from 2 child bike seats that we had taken features from both and wither sewed and/or wired together to make it as safe as possible for little C.  grrrr.  bike thieves.  

Our discovery of the stolen bike came when, thankfully, Catherine was napping and our house helper was watching her so at least we didn't have her with us.  But it was, of course, the time of day when it is most difficult to catch a taxi because they are all changing shifts.  So, like any good Chinese couple, I hopped on the back and James pedaled himself and his pregnant wife to our destination.  What a man, right?  :)

We were already considering buying an electric bike/scooter.  I guess now we'll be doing that sooner than we expected.