Life Lessons

So, one of the most important warnings we recieved before we left for our trip was, "Beware of the pick-pockets!" I unfourtunatley learned first hand at how swift some Europeans can be. To set my story staight, I didn't get mugged. It all started the night we saw Chicago. After the show, a few friends and I walked thought the Leicester Square area to China town and stumbled upon a bar/night club called O'neils. We had heard that other people from the trip had already been, so we decided to check it out. Upstairs we found a lively bar atmosphere with a live band playing American songs and a crowded dance floor. First things first, we went to check our coats and along with it I checked by purse aswell. I realize now that this was a stupid move in itself (handing over my belongings to a complete stranger) but this is besides the point. We paid the lady, recieved our ticket numbers, and headed to the bar for the first of many 3lbs drafts.

As the night progressed, I carelessly misplaced my ticket numbers for my coat and purse so I decided to head to the counter to straighten things up before the rush at the end of the night. I told her how I lost my number, and after giving me some trouble for it, I was able to pursuade her to find my pusre on the ground, look up my ID, and hand it over. Now I was stuck lugging around a chuncky purse. I skeptically decided to set my purse down near the stage where I saw many other unwanted coats and such so figured it would be okay, we would be leaving soon anyway. For the next hour or so, I checked on it periodically between dancing and getting some drinks from the bar. Unfourtunately, after my last drink of the night, I went to get it and it was gone, along with its contents: my camera, cell phone, atm/credit cards, ID, and some money.

All I can say is lesson learned. At first I was pretty shook up by it but now I realize I really didn't lose all that much. In fact, I gained a very valuable life lesson and an experience that I will never forget.
-Colleen Scanlon