M-whY

Having collected my passport, I was set to leave Shanghai. Tim found time in his busy schedule to fit me in for lunch before I left. While eating, I couldn't help notice that a table nearby was secretly taking pictures of us with their camera phones. I pointed this out.

"Yeah, I saw they were staring at me earlier." A few days ago when we hung out, nighttime helped hide his identity, but now in broad daylight, I saw just what kind of recognition he had achieved. Like last time, his demeanor suggested that this was nothing unusual, and that he was used to it. We pretended like they weren't there and minded our own business.

"So what do you want to do now?" he asked after we finished.

"I don't know. I don't have to be back until 3:30pm." To pack and all that good stuff.

"We could hang out at the mall?"

"Sounds good."

"Just like back in Jersey. What's that mall back home called again?"

"Quaker Bridge?"

"Oh yeah, that's right," he grinned.

I let Tim pick one that was nearby, and we entered via an underpass. "Do you realize everyone is looking at you?" I noted. I had never known anyone who attracted attention like he did. Teenage girls in particular whispered and giggled as we walked past. When I looked around and accidently made eye contact with a few of them, they giggled even more. To me, it was a really remarkable experience.

"It can be annoying sometimes though. Sometimes when I see a group of teenyboppers up ahead, I try to circle around them," said Tim, giving me his perspective. While he didn't seem uncomfortable with it all, it didn't exactly float his boat either. It was good to see music, not fame, was his number one priority.

Neither of us had anything we wanted to buy, so we took the escalators up a few floors to where less people roamed and scurried around like a couple mallrats. We stopped at a Disney store to poke Pooh's belly, prompting me to remember a Pooh quote I keep in my wallet: When you see someone putting on big boots, you can be sure adventure is about to happen. At a toy store we browsed through the Legos section. Past clothing store and home galleries...

"You know, I can almost see the appeal of home furnishing and stuff," said Tim at one point. "I remember when my friends were all excited about going to pottery barns right after they got out of college. I can kind of see where they're coming from now..." I can sort of relate. At some points during my trip I've wished I was back on life's treadmill like everyone else. That feeling would last maybe a day or so before I again found something new and interesting.

Half past three rolled around and it was time for me to go. Tim accompanied me back down to the street, but not before another adoring fan recognized and stopped him for an autograph. Noticing I was taking pictures of the whole proceeding, she asked that I snap a photo and email it to her.

"[Sure, if you take one for me too.]"

Outside, we shook hands as a couple more wide-eyed girls looked on. We agreed to keep in touch, in case he found himself with spare time to join me on a portion of my tour. Because if Tim can make a couple hours at the mall interesting, just imagine how fun we could have on the Silk Road.

Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!