These three little words keep echoing in my ear…..
…“Where’s my wallet?”
You know that sickening feeling you get when your wallet is missing. Did you leave it at the last store when you opened it for your debit card, your arms laden with stuff, you were running late? Did you drop it somewhere? Think! Think! Think! Your entire life is in that wallet: drivers’ license, health card, credit cards…but thankfully not much cash. The money isn’t important anyway…it’s those cards!
Now imagine when that happens away from home.
Three times I have suffered the wallet disappearing act. Three times I’ve had to start my life all over again. And each time I tell myself, never again. My purse/wallet will never leave my sight!
…“Where’s my wallet?”
You know that sickening feeling you get when your wallet is missing. Did you leave it at the last store when you opened it for your debit card, your arms laden with stuff, you were running late? Did you drop it somewhere? Think! Think! Think! Your entire life is in that wallet: drivers’ license, health card, credit cards…but thankfully not much cash. The money isn’t important anyway…it’s those cards!
Now imagine when that happens away from home.
Three times I have suffered the wallet disappearing act. Three times I’ve had to start my life all over again. And each time I tell myself, never again. My purse/wallet will never leave my sight!
We were in Lima, Peru, years ago. I used a backpack purse with three compartments to allow freedom of movement for my arms. Before we left the hotel to peruse the fascinating streets, our hotel concierge warned: be careful of your purses and wallets. The people here are very poor and they are experts at removing your valuables. We smiled and waved as we exited the lobby. Did he think we were born yesterday?
The streets were crowded: colourful and exciting. Along a stone walled building a local artist was exhibiting his work. We stopped. One of his paintings grabbed our attention. I remember leaning towards it for further study. That’s when I felt a slight jostle, readjusted my purse shoulder straps, and carried on.
Only when we got back to the hotel did I discover the neat slit (by a very sharp knife) in the middle compartment where my wallet had been. Disbelief was followed by horror was followed by oh no! Cancellation of credit cards…phone calls back home…and on and on.
The streets were crowded: colourful and exciting. Along a stone walled building a local artist was exhibiting his work. We stopped. One of his paintings grabbed our attention. I remember leaning towards it for further study. That’s when I felt a slight jostle, readjusted my purse shoulder straps, and carried on.
Only when we got back to the hotel did I discover the neat slit (by a very sharp knife) in the middle compartment where my wallet had been. Disbelief was followed by horror was followed by oh no! Cancellation of credit cards…phone calls back home…and on and on.
In Madrid, Spain, when we were there many years later, the economy was poor, unemployment high, and people desperate. I followed my husband onto the escalator carrying hand luggage with purse slung on my back. Packed escalators forced a face-to-back ride to the next level. I felt the guy behind me pressing too close, turned around, gave him a dirty look. That must have been when the heist happened.
Once we got to our hotel, surprise! I couldn’t find my wallet. The fallout from this robbery was worse. On a hotel phone call to my Canadian bank I waited, fuming, for 30 minutes while my call to Canada was redirected to a call centre in southeast Asia because of the time difference they said. This made no sense to me and even a later verbal and written complaint to the bank for this treatment elicited no response.
Once we got to our hotel, surprise! I couldn’t find my wallet. The fallout from this robbery was worse. On a hotel phone call to my Canadian bank I waited, fuming, for 30 minutes while my call to Canada was redirected to a call centre in southeast Asia because of the time difference they said. This made no sense to me and even a later verbal and written complaint to the bank for this treatment elicited no response.
In Toronto’s Pearson Airport, our check-in to the Middle East was hampered by no visa. Our hosts in Abu Dhabi had assured us our visa would be issued in the airport when we arrived but our Canadian agent wanted one now. Because of the kerfuffle, we were on hold. I remember putting my purse down on the floor beside me, partially hidden and protected by my carry-on.
When we left the counter, my purse was gone. Horrified, I contacted airport security who blithely commented this type of theft happened at least ten times a day. They suggested I could search nearby trash bins but probably, they comforted, the professional thieves were far away by now. Since my wallet contained company, as well as personal credit cards, my life became a desperate merry-go-round of panic phone calls.
So, no matter where I am, when I hear someone say…where’s my wallet?....
I shudder sympathetically.
When we left the counter, my purse was gone. Horrified, I contacted airport security who blithely commented this type of theft happened at least ten times a day. They suggested I could search nearby trash bins but probably, they comforted, the professional thieves were far away by now. Since my wallet contained company, as well as personal credit cards, my life became a desperate merry-go-round of panic phone calls.
So, no matter where I am, when I hear someone say…where’s my wallet?....
I shudder sympathetically.
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