Kingsday in Amsterdam
First I would like to start off by mentioning that Apple Airtags are true lifesavers.
This Monday was one for the personal history books. Due to circumstances I recently decided to do a 2-3 month backpacking trip to South America. To get in the mood and for inspiration I cycled to my favorite bookstore in Amsterdam: Scheltema. Upon entering I immediately hurried to the travel department on the 2nd floor. Scheltema has a huge variety of Lonely Planets and other travel books for each country. From the shelf I grabbed the Lonely Planets for South America, Peru and Bolivia. I sat down at the table and placed my backpack next to me on the floor.
As I was focused on my travel books, a Dutch couple came sit across from me. They were checking out guide books to Western USA. The thought came to mind to give them a few tips, but I decided not to be intrusive. The couple decided on their favorite book and left. Not long after I wanted to grab a map of South America, I walked to the shelf closeby and as I got back to the table I instantly noticed my backpack was gone.
I quickly scanned the premises, did I leave it somewhere? I asked the clerk if someone brought my backpack to the counter? Nope! How can my bag be gone? On my home turf? In an innocent place as an almost empty bookstore? And I’m always so careful with my stuff! I immediately realized that I had an Airtag in my backpack. Luckily my iPhone was still in my pocket and I checked the location. It’s still here.
I walk out of the store and the GPS location still displays the store. I walk back in and I see a new update. Outside at the Rokin. Unfortunately the Airtag only updates every few minutes. I walk across the Rokin, checking people, looking for my backpack. Underground is also a metro station. It could be there too! My wallet was in my backpack so I cannot enter the gates. I’m thinking quickly on my feet and walking right behind someone else to enter and go onto the platform, looking around. The Airtag still shows the same location. Could they have hopped onto a metro?
I decided to go back out. As I’m walking on street level again the Airtag shows another GPS update: on the corner of the Kalverstraat and the alley Enge Kapelsteeg. I rush over there and look around, I see people sitting on the terrace in the alley, but I don’t see my backpack. I look into a wheelie bin, not in there. The Airtag updates with still the same location. I tried “Find Nearby” for a more accurate location, but it doesn’t pick up a signal. On that same corner is a JD Sports store and I decided to walk in there. Suddenly the phone picks up the signal, but it only says “Far”. I walk to the left and I lose the signal again, I walk back and it comes back on. As I walk further into the store I suddenly get a green arrow, only 6 metres, only 3 metres.
Right there I see my backpack, together with the Dutch couple from the bookstore. I immediately grab my bag and check its contents. It’s all in there! From now I started yelling at the couple, that they’re a bunch of thieves. The guy comes up with a BS story that he thought was his girlfriend’s backpack. I told him that you don’t accidentally grab a bag that was right next to me, they were sitting on the other side of the table. And if it was an accident, wouldn’t you be in a hurry to scurry back to the bookstore? I was raging and 100 thoughts crossed my mind. Should I call the police? I didn’t think that would do much. I kept cursing 100 deceases towards them and everyone in the store was surrounding us. I pointed a last time at the couple, telling everyone to be careful of these thieves and walked out of the store with my backpack.
Adrenaline was still surging through me. What just happened? It felt unreal! I could not be happier with my Airtags. And when I’m travelling through South America this summer, I have to be even more careful. This incident reminded me that you really can’t trust anyone. I never profiled this couple to be thieves.
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Oehhhhh very intens story! While reading I had the feeling I was there with you.
Great that you didn’t back down and stand up for yourself. You soooo brave! <3