Ma-dread

Forgive me for the dreadful title. On May 14, 2005, I was robbed in Madrid.

Just upon our arrival in the airport from New York. I put my purse on my pushcart to hug my sister hello. Two decent-looking men approached me and my sister asking where Terminal 8 was. And I was just being helpful and told them there is no such terminal as Madrid only has 3. And they thanked Helpful Pam with smiles on their faces. And they carried on.

When I looked back at my pushcart, my handbag was gone. It was seamless. Very professionally done. Bravo. What disappoints me is that I was so, so, so, so, so aware of how bad burglary is in Spain - and I did my best to put my bag as close to my body, like glue. But in one split second, I was had.

In some weird way, it makes me feel better talking about what I have lost, so I shall enlist them here. (In case you want to know if I had copies of my documents, yes I did - but they were in the same purse, as I just had them duplicated leaving NYC to JFK. I learned about separating copies the hard way.):

1. Passport with visas - My valid visas include my F-1 visa, B1/B2 visa and my Schengen visa to enter Spain. The invalid ones are from different countries, those that I so wanted to keep to show my grandchildren.

2. NYU Documents - my I-20 form and other immigration documents to be presented when entering the US again

3. Canon Powershot S400 - contains my 256mb memory card and my boyfriend's 512 mb memory card

4. Cellphones - My Motorola V300 and my Sony Ericsson P900 - all my contacts and numbers are there

5. Wallet - $$$, credit cards, ID's, Driver's License, photos

6. Travel Wallet - Inside it were my mileage cards, more $$$, RT e-ticket, my bus pass

7. iPod mini - My precious treasure I find very useful when in New York, given by my boyfriend

8. My new make-up and accessories

9. Keys to my apartment


I must have missed some more but above are the important ones. Yes, it made me feel a tad bit depressed. I felt frustrated not because I lost my valuable material things, but because replacing all them back is such a hassle. Not to mention that I would have to forego a really good internship opportunity as I couldn't go back to the US unless I fly to Manila to get a new F-1 visa. And, to boot, since I lost my Schengen visa, I couldn't join the tour group til the end of the trip.

My loved ones and friends have all been supportive. My parents, especially my mom, kept in touch and did her best to let me enjoy the rest of my vacation. My boyfriend, David, lifted my sunken morale by reassuring me that everything will be ok. My Ate stood by me when we missed a day of the tour. My Tita Fe called her Madrid friends to take care of me throughout the whole ordeal. Tito Rudy and Tita Julie are such blessings.

Writing the above things are already moot to me. I have moved on and have accepted what happened as another interesting story to share my future kids and grandkids. :) What a great adventure to have lost my passport and everything else in a foreign land! :)

I don't have much to say about this incident, except that I didn't allow it to ruin my tour, nor dampen my ability to write and be inspired. I still had fun shopping the souqs and watching authentic bellydancing in Morocco. Seville's Plaza de Espana is very enthralling. And I was still thrilled to visit Fatima in Portugal. As promised, I shall share some travel writing with you next time.

The Moorish friend that I had met at the tour left me a valuable lesson that I brought home with me. He said, "At the worst, the wise sees the good in things."

Now I am back in Manila and will enjoy the rest of my summer here with my family. I'm back to a larger home, Greenbelt dining, cheaper haircuts, home-cooked meals and no laundry to do. I will even be able to spend my birthday with my loved ones! Also, one by one, I have already begun replacing my important cards and documents, not letting all the hassles get the best of me.

What can I say? Did this incident make me wiser or luckier? :) Take your pick.