We had to get up super early to catch our continuing flight to Madrid. So we headed out and caught all the right buses and everything! Back through customs, etc.
Made the flight. It was like two hours. In Madrid, Josh had found us another hostel. We take the subway down to the right area, La Linda. There is a McDonalds!! I am sitting there on a bench and I am like 'let's just go in.' Josh my sweetie, said, 'let's just go to the hostel.'
But he said ok (because McD in Europe has Gf buns!! and fries!!). So I get a hamburger and I sitting there eating and I saw to Josh, let's get some fries! So he sort of bends over and points to a metro card and says something. I saw thanks. In retrospect, he had something black and big on his back.
IT WAS MY BACKPACK
HE STOLE MY BACKPACK
In McDonalds!!
Josh came back and was like 'where is your backpack?' Sure enough it was gone. I couldn't believe it. I was in shock. I would pay cash to get it back!!
Here is one of the miracle stories, #1I was standing there in the square before we went in and (looking back) the Spirit is literally hitting me on the head. I had put my little airplane backpack in the big one (kindle, reading glasses, phone, etc.) But I kept thinking to take my phone out. So I did. And five minutes later everything was gone.
Here is what I had: passport, credit card, phone, cheap pair of airplane earphones, one tissue.
Here are some of the things that were stolen: my two favorite pairs of pants, three of my favorite blouses, three pairs of comfy undies, three of my best pairs of socks. My glasses. My Kindle. My favorite bra. My driver's license and passport card (not the passport). ALL my meds. My favorite hair clippies. All my toiletries. My trip journal.
So we went to the hostel and checked in. We call around and find out a we have to have a E.U. doctor prescribe meds and therefore we have to find a doctor. So this is another thing we need to do ASAP.
We left Josh's precious backpack and took his little one out on our journeys. We walk down a big hill to a police station, to report the loss. They were extremely unhelpful. We are told we can wait and report the loss, but it won't make a difference. So we leave.
We stop by a pharmacy to see if I can get my drugs. Nope. But I do get deodorant, saline (for the one pair of contacts (dailies) that I have in my eyeballs, etc.
So miracle #2 - Josh knew where the temple grounds/distribution/mission office/patron housing was! (He served right there!) He said, "If we can just get to the temple, they will bend over backwards to help us."
So we took the subway off to get more garments. He is right, the lady there is nice, and directs us to the temple. We go in (me, "I know I am not wearing the right clothes!! I am sorry!") The sister at the desk is like 'Let me call someone." A sealer comes up and asks what we need. Josh is explaining when Olga (our new friend) comes up and asks us what we need. She is a temple worker (#3 miracle, who just that day was praying for someone to practice her English with). And she knows all about stuff. So the three of us go to the police station and report the theft (need proof of what was stolen). We sit in the freezing cold (no heat and the front doors were wide open) for about two hours. Olga asks what is the delay. She has to go home and help her mom. We tell her to go. So we sit there a bit longer and get called back (where it is warm!) and give our report. He basically says the same thing - you will never see it again.
We stop by an optical place (seriously, there were tons around everywhere in Spain). Apparently in Spain you just need any old prescription and you can get your contacts! It was like $20 for three monthly contacts. (That is just how they are sold). Josh just showed them my prescription and there the contact where (#4 miracle). Because even in the States they have to order in my -8 contacts. However it would have cost over $700 to get new glasses and would take a week.
So now we need to go to a hospital (because it is after hours) to find a doctor to get my meds (essential meds). So we subway over to a famous private hospital. We walk in to check in. They immediately call for the 'international helper.' She is lovely (apparently LOTS of tourists are stupid). She gives us the options 1) call and try to get our insurance to cover the bill 2) pay it ourselves. Me 'how much does it cost' - $400. So we just pay and will get reimbursed later. I get called in right after that to get a wrist band. Then they immediately realize I am in the wrong room and get sent to another room. Where my number appears BEFORE I even sit down!! We are escorted into a room with a huge TV and a nurse. A doctor comes right up and asks about the situation. She makes note of the meds. 10 minutes later we walk out with paper scrips for everything I need. Seriously is was 45 minutes in and out. #5 miracle.
So then we need to find a 24 hour pharmacy. We find one, but it only has two of the drugs. So then we (bless Google maps) find another one and get everything filled.
By then we are very tired. So we go back to the hostel. It is nice and clean and has a little balcony. The bathroom (private so that is nice) is VERY small. Like you have to turn your knees sideways to sit on the toilet.
This is all I can think of right now. It was a sad, yet miraculous day.
Scene of the crime. Me still enjoying the hamburger. Scene of the theft. We did stop to eat - had sausages. Pretty plants. 24 hour pharmacy with its gates closed. Get used to this outfit - you will see it again. My favorite fish face.
