A few months ago, before a trip to Thailand we had a similar dilemma, we chose to go with a stroller. But to avoid an unnecessary waste of money, we decided on the cheapest looking stroller in the store. The store attendant was shocked. The stroller was apparently on display for years, only to show young parents what stroller not to buy.

To make a long story short, on the first day in Bangkok, at the Old Palace, the stroller caved in. Guy disappeared in the wreckage and we had to get him out. We looked around, and when we thought nobody was looking, we left the collection of fabric and scrap metal near a relatively remote garbage can. The stroller survived the trip, but didn’t make the first day in Bangkok. R.I.P.

This time, for our trip to Hong Kong, we had the same dilemma. The stroller strategy won again, but this time, we went to the same store, and asked for the absolute best stroller. The attendant was contemplating whether or not to call Child Services, but the prospect of making a big sale convinced him not to. We took a brand new, Ferrari red, ship shape, spic n’ span stroller. A Rolls Royce. The mother of all strollers. We were happy. Sudden relaxation went through my shoulders.

Of course it didn’t fit in the trunk, and of course we had to check it in at the oversized luggage counter. But throughout all these small problems, we knew: Guy will not spend the day on his father’s tired and old shoulders. Or so we wished.

We picked up the stroller at the Hong Kong International Airport. Guy jumped in, and promptly disappeared within. A few minutes later, we realized, the Master Stroller caved in exactly like the old one. The thing never made it out of the arrival hall at the airport, we dumped it near carousel number 2.

If you are a world traveler, and you happen by an abandoned stroller, orphaned, standing alone in some corner, wondering why, you would know: the Hayardenys were here…

We are now considering artificial shoulders as an alternative.

Guy, by the way, was not unhappy with the results. He mentioned though, that when we get back to Beijing, he would want a new stroller. “No comment” was my answer.