Kashgar

This man tried to pick my pocket.

I was on a local bus in Kashgar, going from the city to the outskirts to check out the Apak Khoja tomb. Like usual in China, I stuck out something hefty. I couldn't stand straight up on the bus, and when I boarded, every single person looked at me like I was Godzilla.The bus was crowded, and I was watching the rural scenery pass by. It was quite interesting to see blacksmiths making shovels and turners carving wood right on the main street out of town.

I turned to the right, and saw that the man in question had a bag pressed against my hip. Noticing his hand withdrawing quickly from the general area, I checked my pocket to find my wallet half out. The felon was looking forward nonchalantly, but I was sure there was no way that my wallet could have found itself in such a position naturally. I asked Kelly how I would say "thief" in Chinese. The man looked Uighur, but still I pointed at him and proclaimed him "Sha To" I am sure he understood me but he continued playing it cool, everyone else in the vicinity looked at me and I mimed a hand going into my pocket while saying "Sha To, Sha To" and pointing to him. The locals seemed quite shocked, and the man got up and was trying to leave the bus. I pulled out my camera and snapped the above shot while he was fleeing.

It was interesting to have the attempt made. It will sure make me more careful in future, but the man wouldn't have been too ecstatic even if he was successful, i had only 15 RMB ($2.5 AUS) and an expired drivers license in the wallet. I keep all my valuables in a money belt around my waist while I am travelling, I always thought it kind of dorky, but now I feel vindicated.

It was quite amazing as I didn't feel a thing. I would never be able to put my hand inside someones pocket without them feeling it. If I hadn't have glanced to the side, I would now be sans-wallet.