I found this sign in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

BBC’s Su Li reports from Nanjing: “Reporting live from Nanjing, People’s Republic of China.  In recent months there has been an unprecedented proliferation of a specific genre of American cinema ripping through China’s youth like a tidal wave.  More specifically, movies such as Step Up, Step Up 2 the Streets, and You Got Served have seen a huge spike in popularity; playing to sell-out crowds in theaters all over the city.  These movies, commonly referred to as ’street dance’ cinema, have spawned a huge following of underground break dancers and imitators.

“The movement began in seedy back alleys and in public areas in the more poor sections of town.  On most nights of the week people could spy groups of young Chinese recreating these ‘dance-offs’ to violent conclusions.  As everyone knows, Chinese simply cannot dance.  These troubled youth, in an attempt to imitate the fast and furious dancing of their favorite movies, end up not only hurting themselves and others, but also damaging property with their wildly flailing limbs and their bodies being launched into the air.

“In what comes as a surprise to most, recently the movement has gained powerful momentum.  Attracting China’s under-represented, frustrated, under-educated and unemployed youth, who view street dancing as a means to live the exciting American lifestyle.  Gangs of these kids have spilled into the more affluent parts of town, obstructing traffic and disrupting the peace for residents and tourists alike.  The problem of rival gangs dancing off against each other–sometimes even three or four gangs simultaneously–has grown so big that the city has erected these ‘Step Off’ signs around many public areas in an attempt to curb these violent outbreaks of dancing.  For these people are not only damaging property, but their dancing is so horrendous that they are visually and mentally assaulting anyone who happens to witness these events.  One senior woman has been in a coma for three weeks after viewing three rival gangs attempting to dance off against each other.

“So why ‘Step Off’?  Because in the street dancing world, when two gangs meet in the streets two things can happen.  Either one gang will step off, and leave in peace, or they will bring it.  The opposing gang can choose to back down-they can step off as well-or they can bring it back.  And once both gangs have brought it, then it’s on.  And that’s when the chaos ensues.  The whirlwind of destruction and bad dancing continues until one gang gets served, which sometimes can take days.

“So hopefully these signs will encourage these dance-crazed youth to step off, leave in peace, and not cause any further damage to the city and to it’s people.

“This is Su Li, reporting for BBC from Nanjing, People’s Republic of China, signing off.  Good night.”

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I met up with my three companions and we headed off in search of a taxi.  The first one we came across contained a man sleeping in the driver’s seat.  I knocked on the window, he babbled something unintelligible (really my Chinese is still not that good) and immediately drove off.  The next one we were able to hire, and off to the airport we went.  This evening I am writing this from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

Nanjing was the capital of China under 6 (I think) different dynasties and the site of the Rape of Nanjing during World War 2 in which hundreds of thousands of people died in just a few short weeks.  There is a lot of history and a lot of pain in this city.  But today seemed like a bright, happy day with a lot of promise.  Coming from being drenched in Xi’an to sunny and warm in Nanjing, I felt like things were looking up.  I even managed to walk into a hostel and secure a dorm room; convincing them that my expired International Student ID card was still good (yay student discount).

My friends and I dropped our stuff in our respective rooms and headed out.  We wandered for maybe 20 or 30 minutes then decided to eat some lunch.  By the end of lunch, I realized something terrible had happened.  Which leaves me to the title of this entry.  So who is my dear friend?  And why am I bidding him adieu?

My friend is my camera.  My dear, dear friend.  My only friend on my various solo journeys around the world.  Granted, I only had this camera since April of last year when my other one got stolen, but I really loved it.  An Olympus Stylus 770SW, it was the perfect point-and-shoot camera for the guy looking to travel light.  It was perfect for everything I wanted to do.  I could drop it, submerge it in water, freeze it, you name it.  It was tough and it was light (traveling light is always a priority for me).  And now it’s gone.  20 minutes into my friggin’ 3 day trip in Nanjing and I’ve already had my camera lifted.  What kind of crap luck is that?

On the bright side, I only had the opportunity to take 3 photos.  So it’s not like I lost much.  It’s the emotional damage that is the issue.  Besides the fact that getting anything stolen from you (especially in a country where it’s basically guaranteed the police will never find it) really sucks, I just loved that camera.  Plain and simple.  I will be meeting another CouchSurfer tonight (have I mentioned how awesome CouchSurfing is?) for drinks who will direct me to a Carrefour where I will be able to, hopefully, replace my camera.  Settling for a lesser device will suck a lot, but will be a necessary sacrifice.

I’m going to go finish drowning my sorrows.  Here’s to all of you.

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