I’ve learned that many people who read our blog like a good struggle story. If that’s the case, then this is for you! :)
Saturday, February 26th, I drove to Luxembourg (a small neighboring country to Belgium, where coincidentally Miami University has a campus) with my neighbor Marina to see the Maroon 5 concert. It’s an easy 1 hr. 45 min. drive and we were enjoying our getaway. We parked the car in an underground garage and began walking toward the center of town to have lunch and do a little shopping. Standing in line at the H&M, I realized I didn’t have my wallet. Marina and I were sure the wallet was in the car and she spotted me the cash. When we got back to the car, the wallet was no where to be found. We searched everywhere, asked the parking lot attendant, retraced our steps to town, looking in all the garbage cans along the way. We stopped at the police station but they were closed. Office hours are 8 am -6 pm Monday - Friday. Things did not look good. I had close to 250 euros in cash. I called Paul and asked him to freeze my credit cards. Jeff, Marina’s husband, called the rest stop where we had gotten snacks, but didn’t have any luck finding my wallet. Marina and I still managed to enjoy the concert and headed back on Sunday morning. We stopped at the same rest stop as we had on our drive the day before, but the wallet had not been turned in.
Monday, February 28th, I contemplated calling the police, but figured it was a lost cause. Who turns in wallets these days? I did, however, go to the Waterloo commune to start the process of replacing Belgian id cards for me and the kids. The commune ladies demanded I go to the police first to report the wallet stolen and bring back a paper saying as such. They also said I needed to bring the kids with me to get their replacement cards. (Along with pictures of all of us).
Ironically, the police also needed a picture of me in order to take my statement. After confirming that they didn’t need pictures of the children (who were at school), I diligently went to the grocery store and paid my 5 euros to get 6 little passport photos (something we’ve done at least 4 times here in Belgium). I returned to the police station, ready to make my statement. After finding an officer who was fluent in French and English we began. 7 pieces of paper later, I had the required attestation to return to the commune.
Tuesday, March 1st after school, I took both kids to get their pictures taken at the grocery store. We’ve now spent 15 euros in passport photos.
Wednesday, March 2nd we trudged back to the commune before school started with pictures and paperwork in hand. The lady helping us asked me if I had Paul’s new work permit with me. His old one was to expire on the 14th of March and we would all need new id cards then anyway. I called Paul at work. He let his HR dept. know the work permit was going to expire and asked them to begin the renewal process. The commune lady explained that if she gave me new id cards now (it takes at least 2 weeks for them to arrive), they would still expire on the 14th. We were at a standstill.
Friday, March 18th, Paul receives a document from his company that needs to be signed by the commune before he can get his work permit. (Keep in mind the commune hours are Monday - Friday from 8 am - 11 am and Tue./Thu. afternoon from 1:30 - 4 pm). The commune ladies remind Paul he needs pictures too.
Saturday, March 19th, Paul goes to the grocery store and pays his 5 euros to get his 6 passport photos taken. We have now spent 20 euros for the family.
Monday, March 21st, I go to the office with Paul’s papers and pictures and voila! I have the work permit. When I ask if I can now get the id cards for me and the kids, the commune worker tells me Paul needs to be with me. Seriously?! Didn’t they just see him on Friday? Didn’t I have his work permit in my hands? I’m incredulous and she passes me off to a more senior colleague. The colleague asks me if I have lost my wallet or had it stolen. I sheepishly admit I lost it. She ticks a box on a form on her computer and says., “Okay, now you can apply for a replacement card, but since your old card doesn’t expire until April 14th, and I have just made that card invalid should anyone try to use it, this new card would only be valid until April 14th and then you would need to come back with your husband to get your new id cards.” Seriously!?
Tuesday, March 22nd, I send an e-mail to the Luxembourg police about my lost wallet. I had heard from too many people that wallets, do indeed get returned. I hear back from them that afternoon that my wallet is at the Belgian Embassy in Luxembourg! I am in disbelief. (My mom is saying, told you so!)
Wednesday, March 23rd, I hear back from the Embassy who tell me they have had the wallet since March 3rd and will hold onto my wallet until I arrive. They cannot really confirm what is in the wallet, but my dad is insistent I go pick it up.
Wednesday, March 30th, Lindsey and I drive to Luxembourg. We get a few sprinkles of rain, but it’s mostly sunny. Lindsey has the iPad in the backseat and asks me Math Bingo questions while I drive. “What’s 2+1? What’s 4+7? What’s 9+2?” After 2 hours drive, we arrive at the Embassy. I sign a piece of paper confirming who I am and show my passport. My wallet is returned. There is not a stitch of cash in it. Not even my lucky $2 from my dad. All 3 credit cards are gone. What does remain are my Belgian id card and driver’s license, the kids’ Belgian id cards, a picture of Jackson, my IKEA family card, and some other nonessential items. Lindsey and I had planned to stay for lunch, but we decide to head back right away and eat the snacks I had brought. After another 2 hours and 80 euros in gas, we are home, safe and sound with my $13 wallet. Was it worth it? My dad would say yes, but I’m thinking not.
Lesson learned -- report missing items immediately. You never know if they will be returned!
Just in case you are wondering. I’m still walking around with an invalid and expired Belgian id card as Paul and I have to get to the commune together. :)
