Journey to the Far East.
The POstables make a long journey to try to return a lost item. The characters belong to the talented Martha Williamson.
Travel diary 1: From the West to the East.
"So Rita, capital of Nicaragua?" Norman asked.
"I know, it's Managua." Rita replied.
"Shane, it's your turn. This is a little harder. This is the last question, if you want to equalize with Rita. What is the capital of Estonia?" Norman asked
As Shane pondered Rita waved her hand to give her the answer.
"What?... No, sorry, I have no idea." Shane replied.
"This is Talinn! Good morning everyone, Norman, Rita, Miss McInerney. Nothing like a memorization exercise to start the day." Oliver exclaimed as he entered.
"Good morning Oliver! Absolutely, and it's good to travel too. I brought this from the terminal annex. It's outgoing mail " Norman said as he wheeled a cart forward.
The postal detective stepped forward. He was going to take a letter but Shane beat him to it . She grabbed a lost objet wrapped in kraft paper to which a letter was tied with a string.
"Wow, this blue porcelain plate is really beautiful. The patterns were done by hand. It's a real work of art!" Shane exclaimed.
"Miss McInerney, you promised not to open any more packages without permission and..."
"Oliver, anyway, we're going to have to deliver whatever is in that cart... Oh there's a letter." She said, handing the letter to Norman who handed it to Oliver.
"Return to the sender. Let's see what this letter says."
To whom it may concern.
Hello,
My name is Dave Turner. I live in Denver, Colorado.
Fifteen years ago, I went to China to the city of Xi'an with my high school class.
At the time, I did something stupid , also encouraged by some friends. It was really stupid.
As we were leaving a temple we visited, I took this porcelain plate and hid it in my backpack.
I took it back to Denver. I never told anyone.
Now, 15 years later, I found that plate as I was packing to move.
I feel very bad that I didn't return it sooner. I think I was ashamed of it.
Today I would like to return it to its owner.
I don't remember much about the exact place and its name. I just know that it was a temple near a river with a long bridge leading to it.
I sincerely apologize, because I didn't intend to steal it.
Dave Turner.
"Fifteen years is a long time to hide the secret of a lie." Norman remarked.
"Yes, but the truth will set you free." The postal detective added.
"What are we going to do now?" Rita asks
"Make contact with a museum or..."
"Oliver! You always say that we are responsible for the truth we discover. It's no coincidence that this object arrived at the Dead Letter Office. It is up to us to deliver this. And then I wouldn't say no to going on a trip." Shane said.
"Miss McInerney, you can really be very persuasive..."
"Or brazenly manipulative." Shane added with a smile.
"I've always wanted to visit Asia." Norman begged with a childish face.
"Oliver, please, we'll have fun. It's like explorers going on a trip around the world, and the we'll all be together!" Rita exclaimed
He sighed for a moment.
"Well, so let's go there." The postal detective said.
" Okay, I'm ready. Let's go to China!" Norman exclaimed as he put on his pair of sunglasses.
It was then that Oliver looked at them with a smile.
Shanghai, China.
"It's really nice to have a stopover in Shanghai before leaving for Xi'an tomorrow." Shane remarked as the POstables walked along the Bund, the famous Shanghai waterfront.
It was long past dark and the glittering neon lights illuminated the huge towers reflected in the waters of the Huangpu River, which runs through the city.
"It's a very busy place, you saw all those people, it's impressive... Norman, are you still eating? Rita asks
"I was really hungry, these mooncake are delicious. I'ts my favourite Chinese pastry. Just now in the street food, a nice lady gave them to me after we bought a pomegranate juice. Now I need to get some exercise." Norman explains.
They were still walking for a while when they stopped to look at the glittering buildings and take pictures when Oliver had headache.
"Everything okay Oliver?" Shane asks as she handed him a bottle of water.
"Yes, thanks. It must be the jet lag and the humidity from the sea." He replied after taking a sip of water." Shanghai is a stunning city. The Bund is a mix of European architecture that contrasts perfectly with the tall glass buildings of today." Oliver explains
"So it's a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Wow, Oliver O'Toole, this erudite man who knows everything. I'm impressed with you." Shane smiled.
"I've always learned from books, Miss McInerney." Oliver said, also smiling.
"How about we take a detour through the historic center of Shanghai before heading back to the hotel." Rita suggested as she returned after taking some pictures.
As they walked, few steps, back up the waterfront to the city center, they saw a group of five people in the distance practicing Tai chi, an internal Chinese martial art, with a fan in their hands. Their movements were fluid and jerky, following the rhythm of the music. Then a sixth person arrived. The group stopped, looked at him and began to laugh.
"Norman ?" Shane exclaimed , surprised.
"It was the Lion dance. ... And now, watch out, the dragon dance!" Norman exclaimed.
People applaud and continued to laugh as they saw the strange dance of Norman.
"Norman, what are you doing?" Shane asked.
" I wanted to get some exercise. Do you know that the lion dance is a symbol of happiness. " He answered to Shane." Yes, Xie xie, my Friends... My name is Norman, goodbye." He says to the group before leaving them.
"Well Norman, you have become a real celebrity in Shanghai." Oliver added.
"Well, sort of. On the way home, we can stop for something to drink." Norman asked.
That's when everyone laughed.
TBC.