It's been a while!

     I know. It's been a long time. I haven't been here since my trip to Tanzania in 2015! I've travelled a bit more since then. I went back to Brazil and went to Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland in 2016 for the first time. Both trips were great, except for the end of Ireland trip when we found out my father-in-law died before we were to head to Dublin for the last couple of days of the trip. 


     My hubby and I moved out of our small condo and bought a much larger house, so 2017 was a non travel year since there was the stress of searching for a new place to live and finding a buyer for our old place. The budget was a little tight so I held off packing the suitcase even though I wanted to very badly. All that got done so I've jumped back on the travel horse so to speak. I went back to Colombia and had an amazing time. If you go to Colombia, please do yourself a favor and go to the Pacific Coast of Colombia. It's wild and rustic. If you want to get away from it all and don't mind living without some conveniences like hot water, no cell phone, and love fish/seafood, it's amazing. I think I literally fell in love with it and will definitely be back next year. Do your research, some places are more busy with tourists than others and it rains A LOT (at least when I went in May), but it's magical.

     I am also going to Spain in a couple of months. First, I'm going to Sevilla and after getting some beach/relaxing time in Menorca. It's not going to be exactly all pleasure as I'm going to take flamenco classes the first week, which I love, but it won't exactly be 2 weeks of all sightseeing. Everything is set with hotels and plane tickets and now I just have the wait. Welllll, there is one thing left to buy and that is a plane or train ticket to Sevilla from the Madrid airport. I'm probably going to go by train just because I'm pretty sure I will be sick of being on planes by the time I arrive. I'm also going to have my last night in Mallorca. I have my hotel booked, but am thinking of splurging even though it would be a colossal waste of money, but my last night in Medellin was kind of bad. The hotel was great, but it probably wasn't a great idea to stay in the heart of Parque Lleras if I wanted to get any kind of sleep before an early flight. Lesson learned. So now I want to overcorrect and splash out somewhere quiet with a big bathtub and a soft cloudlike bed before I have to wake up to a damn near 12 hour journey on planes, through airports, and security lines.

     That is all that is fit to print for now! I promise to be back sooner than later with whims, gripes, and vents!

Tanzania! No, not like the Tasmanian Devil.

It's taken me a while. I'm sorry I've been lazy! My trip to Tanzania is but a beautiful memory now. As I went on this trip in October, I will try to remember what happened as best I can. This is going to be a long post so grab some tea or coffee. Here goes!

I remember a week before I was hella nervous about the trip. Like, knots in the stomach, nervous. It suddenly dawned on me that I would be glamping in the wilderness alone, probably with a bunch of dudes, by myself. I mean, I'd thought about it in passing, but suddenly the situation seemed ridiculous. On top of that, I would be arriving in the dead of night to be whisked off to God-knows-where. It's not like I could streetview this shit on Google Maps. I was so nervous, I really couldn't sleep well on the flight and as I've stated numerous times, planes usually knock me out. My route was from ATL-Dulles-Amsterdam-Mt. Kili/Arusha. Oh let me backup a bit! I kinda fucked up when I left home for the airport and took the wrong ATM card. The card I did take had approximately 100 bucks in it. Lucky for me, I also took a credit card and had about 600 USD cash. My other bank was where the real dough was. I panicked when I realized at the airport, but it was too late to go back home. I wouldn't make my flight. Also lucky for me this trip was all inclusive, meaning I really didn't have to pay for anything but liquor and souvenirs if I was so inclined.

Ok, back to the plane ride. I can't remember a lot about them. I remember the absolutely shitty security line at Dulles airport. That airport was really pretty though! I remember sitting in Amsterdam airport very comfortable with a row of seats all to myself right in front of the window. Then these two dutch couples made me move my shit I had sort of spread around me so they could sit down. I was silently cursing them out in my head. There were plenty of seats, why my row?!! I know, it's very ugly american, and quite frankly I regretted this later as you will sooner or later find out.
I remember the seats on KLM being kind of narrow. I do remember one of my seatmates and I'm almost ashamed to recount this tale. I'm not sure if it was at Dulles or in Amsterdam. I had checked my seats right before leaving and according to the seatmap on KLM my rows were clear on all flights, but the seatmap lied! I remember getting very comfortable on my row, looking around at all the suckers who had to share their rows. Just about everyone had boarded so I was feeling very confident I could stretch out for the flight. And then I saw this woman, a very large woman, making her way down the aisle and looking intently in my direction. I literally could feel my face drop and felt so ashamed of myself!

I know how it feels to be that person and I'm not nor have I ever been overweight. However, I have always felt that I don't quite fit in anywhere and have had my feelings confirmed more than a few times. At that moment I resolved to try and get my humanity back, but not before I did one more unintentional dumb thing to make this woman probably hate me. I pulled down the armrest right as she was about to settle herself in. I have no idea what possessed me to do that, maybe it was subconscious fat-shaming or maybe it's something I usually do on airplanes when I have to share a row. Boundaries need to be established on a row. Who gets the armrest? Do not let your dumb handbag cross the border...you know, that kinda thing. Whatever it was, I wanted to face palm myself just based on how it might've looked to her. She had a hard time fitting in the seat and I offered to pull up the armrest,but maybe out of indignation or spite she said it could stay down. Anyway, she got settled and actually she was super nice! We kind of bonded because the guy directly in front of her was complaining about how little legroom he had in the basic economy seat and bitched to the flight attendant who then put him in the comfort row...FOR FREE! The flight was full so this poor lady that was in comfort switched with him, I would've let him rot. His attitude was shitty, like he deserved to be placed in comfort. He was very tall, like basketball player height, so surely he had to know economy comfort would be more, well, comfy.

    Huh, I guess I remember more about the flights than I thought. Anyway, the rest of the flight was pretty uneventful. There were fits of sleep and reading. Finally I get to Mt. Kilimanjaro airport. Anywhere I go this is usually the most nerve-wracking part for me. Will my luggage be there? How am I going to get out of here? Where am I going? I decided to not do carry-on only for this trip just because there was more than one layover and I couldn't deal with lugging my backpack everywhere.
First things first, getting the visa. I had dressed in layers, but the airport was hot as hell. I was sweating bullets and to my horror I smelled badly (deoderant was in the backpack). I had to keep my jacket on thinking I could contain it. No one ran away so I think I was successful. The lines were a bit long and it felt like forever when in actuality, I think it took maybe 30 minutes. I just wanted to get out in the world whatever it would hold. I got to the front of the line and handed the visa lady a crisp 100 dollar bill and she, in return, gave me my airport freedom in the form of a visa.

      I grabbed my backpack and there they were..the wolves outside the door. At almost every airport, you see a phalanx of people waiting to scam, hug, or simply drive the new arrivals. I stopped for a moment to steel myself. Took a breath and walked outside. I scanned the crowd to hopefully see my name scribbled on a piece of paper being held by someone which I hoped would be my driver. And there he was, on the left near the rear of the crowd. I smiled in relief and introduced myself and he told me his name, but can't recall what it was. It was night, can't remember the time. So we get to the van and as soon as I see it, the fear rises up. I'm about to get in the car with someone I don't know in bloody Africa. I am legit freaking a little, but am outwardly cool. I get up front with the driver, because I never know what the protocol is with taxi drivers in foreign countries and I would like to see what's going on in front of me.

Come to the light!

   
 So off we go! It's pitch black on the road. There are no streetlights except when coming upon gas stations. Me and the driver make a little small talk. He asks me where I'm from and I tell him I'm from Atlanta. I always have to explain to people where Georgia is located in the U.S. by saying, 'You know Florida..Miami, Disney...above that.'. I don't know why I bother, no one really gives a shit. Anyway, on the drive he blinks his lights often at oncoming drivers. This totally reminded me of a long drive in the middle of nowhere Brazil I took with this young American couple in taxicab, there was just fields of emptiness and for whatever reason the driver slowed down and the husband says, 'Here comes the ambush.'. I don't know why, but me and his wife cracked up at this...probably because it could've been absolutely true and also because it just seemed ludicrous that it could be true. Anway, this was sort of how I was feeling. Here comes the ambush. I had the window down and I stuck my head outside and looked up and my word!!! Whatever fear or anxiety I had died when I saw the night sky. It was like I was in the planetarium looking at every single constellation and the milky way. I literally saw galaxies. I thought to myself, if I am going to die here and this is the last thing I see, it won't be a bad way to go.


    We passed by these small shantytowns/villages by the side of the road. I think it was Friday or Saturday night so people were out and about. I could smell the food coming from bars and restaurants. Some put together with just cement and tin. I wanted my driver to stop to see if I could hang out in one as it looked like people were just sitting around shooting the shit, having a chill time. I realized I hadn't had anything to eat since the plane which seems like hours and hours ago. I was starving! The smell of diesel was very strong also and sometime the roads turned to dust. I think the total trip was maybe an hour. We turned off the dirt road and went up a hill. There was a closed gate and someone came and opened it. I went to reception to get checked in and get the low down on the joint. The restaurant was still open! Once I got to my room, I plopped down my things and went to go eat.

     I can't remember what I had for dinner. I think it was some type of curry and a dessert. It was only me and other couple in the restaurant and they seemed to be having an argument. And also who should walk in while I'm eating my entree? The Dutch couples from the Amsterdam airport! I didn't acknowledge them as I was kinda still salty from earlier. I finished dinner and went back to my room, took a shower, and collapsed in bed. I had to get up early the next day. My guide, who I will call, P, was to pick me up the next day at 7 a.m. UGH!

I think I'm gonna have to break this trip report in parts. It's just too long and I'm only on day one! Til next week!

Brother, can you spare a window seat?

    I guess I don't understand how airlines work their seating now. I should have bought this ticket by now, and lucky for me the price has gotten a little cheaper the closer I get to the take off date. I am going to do it today I swear! And while the price has gotten cheaper, the seat selection is weak. I am not rich so I fly economy AND I am picking these tickets up a bit late so I get that I'm not going to have my pick of the litter. What I didn't expect was that airlines are now implementing different economy tiers. Judging from my seat map, to get a window or aisle requires you to pay extra. Hobos not willing to pay extra get to sit in the middle of the middle section of the plane or if you'd like a window without paying extra you can sit in the near back of the plane near the bathrooms....possibly with video equipment under the seat in front of you. .

     I looooooooooooooove window seats and right now I am looking at the seat map of the first leg of my flights in complete denial that I have to sit in the middle section middle seat unless I fork over an extra 40 bucks. I've been looking at it for the past week praying that it's not true or that somehow somewhere someone will cancel and a window, so to speak, will open up. No one likes the middle seat. NO ONE. I am one of those freaks that falls asleep as soon as the plane levels out and unfortunately this may also mean me using your shoulder as a pillow which wouldn't be so bad if I didn't also dribble saliva out of my mouth while unconscious. I marvel at people who can strike the Weekend at Bernie's pose...straight up with head bent to the left or right on their neck pillows. I, however, need to lean right or left as long as I'm slightly diagonal which is why I love the window. I'm not even in it for the view since I only get maybe a minute or two of it before I'm out cold.

     In other news, the safari planning is going along ok. I got my yellow fever shot last week finally. From what I've read, it's unnecessary when coming from a non-endemic country like the U.S. or European countries. I read a lot of travel forums and sometimes it seemed it was a luck of the draw with health officials at the major airports in Tanzania no matter where you're from. Although, recent traveler's reports with this has gotten much better, I didn't want to take any chances. There's no way I'm getting a shot in an airport. The crap news is that my county travel clinic closed down so I had to go to the next county over. I called multiple private travel clinics and it seemed the prices for the shot itself were anywhere from 150 - 180 USD plus the 70 to 90 dollar consult fee and you're looking at a good bit of money to lay down. This vac isn't covered by my insurance, by the way. So I got it done at the county health clinic which saved me at least 50 bucks. I also re-upped my hepatitis a/b and got tetanus shot earlier this summer. The yellow fever vaccine was not pleasant. It burns! As much as it hurt going in, it felt like nothing after it was done which is more than I could say from some shots I've had.

     I am also going to have a call with my travel tour operator soon for a final rundown of the itinerary and to address any outstanding issues or questions I may have. The problem is that I really don't have any questions, well none that she can answer anyway. Like, am I going to get bitten by a snake? How does it feel to be a black American in Africa? I gotta think of something! Also at some point I'm going to need to go thrift shopping for some neutral colored/pastel shirts and hiking pants. I looked in my closet and I'm a HUGE fan of black, blue, red, and white. None of which you want to be wearing on a safari with tsetse flies (attracted to dark colors) or hungry mammals mistaking you for a zebra. I refuse to buy new clothing for this safari because I've already dropped enough coin for this trip and I'm going to be a dusty,dirty mess by the time the safari part is over. So might as well wear stuff that's super cheap and kind of throwaway. Kind of like the middle seat in the middle section of an airplane. :D

Destination 2015: Tanzania/Zanzibar!

     Bless me Blogger, for I have sinned. It has been months since my last post. I've had impure thoughts about work and day to day bullshit to fully concentrate on this trip and this blog. However, I have a moment and would like to start making up for it today!

     As you hobos can see, my destination is set in stone. I'm so excited by it and scared at the same time. I haven't felt like this in a while. It's going to be a whole new experience for me. I will be on safari for a total of 9 days and camping/glamping out in various camps 3 days out of those 9. I will also go on a walking safari, which I still can't believe I'm doing. And then 5 days of lovely beach time on Zanzibar before my flight home. In my imagination it's going to be some real Indiana Jones shit. I'm totally expecting misery (the bugs) and good times (lions and ellies oh my!). I will be going solo as my potential travel partner backed out. That experience was a great reminder on why I love solo travel in the first place. I will never again stray from being the captain of my own ship.

     Ok, well, I won't the the total captain of my own ship. I've gone with a tour operator and they've arranged everything. And for once it's nice to have everything laid out and scheduled in front of me. I will have a driver/guide, car, and cook. It was hard to find info for a safari tour operator who arranged solo safari trips. As I was researching, I even had one highly recommended tour operator kind of snottily write back that they didn't do solos because the cost is prohibitively more expensive. I mean, what if I were a billionaire, they don't know! I'm not, but what if?! Anyway, I believe I found a good tour operator and they have been very helpful and thorough. I researched and read a bunch of forums and when it comes to safaris, I think you definitely get what you pay for in this case. As I may have stated in a previous post, I could've gone on a group trip, but I just didn't want to take a chance of travelling with a group of people or person I didn't get along with and ruining the experience. It would be less expensive, but I would rather spend more and be responsible for my own misery thankyouverymuch.

     As I didn't put together this trip from scratch as I usually do, I don't have a lot to think about other than shots and travel insurance. I've gotten the first round of hep a/b and tetanus, and have to get the other round this week. Closer to the time I have to leave (a month or two before), will have to get yellow fever (the blessed yellow card) and get some malarial pills. The travel insurance is something I really have to look at closely this time. I usually go with World Nomads, but I think I'm going to get some travel medical insurance on top of that. I don't know about your insurance, but mine does not cover 'lion maul in the middle of the Serengeti'. The safari has flight evac insurance included in the price which is good, but I just want to make sure my ass is totally covered. Being captain of your own ship is great, but having a lieutenant commander isn't so bad either! :D

 





   

Let's think this through.

     Ok, I know I was pretty deadset on Namibia last time I spoke, however now there's a possibility that I may have a travel partner. I usually walk alone on my travels, but the more I think about tackling Namibia, the more I get a little overwhelmed/scared of having to overcome some pretty big obstacles alone: driving on the left side while watching for animals and possibly breaking down in the middle of nowhere. I was sort of thrilled he wanted to come, but of course nothing is ever easy. He came with a counter trip idea of going to Tanzania. Now, at this point, I had my heart set on Namibia. Before I even got to Namibia, I researched a little into Tanzania and thought it might not be for me. It was for the same reason I threw out Vanuatu. It is a very conservative country. I'm not sure how much it matters when out on safari, but Zanzibar I hear is also very conservative outside of the beach resort. And I must admit it really didn't help when I heard about the two British girls and a priest getting attacked with acid a couple of years ago. I decided to entertain the idea again, however, and researched Tanzania and a few tour operators.

     Tanzania, I think, will definitely have more density and greater variety of animals. My friend really wants to see lions, which is the reason why he wants to go to Tanzania. Namibia also has lions, but I don't think they are as plentiful as they are in Tanzania. I also advised my friend that the wilderness is not a zoo and would he be disappointed if we didn't see one. His answer was, 'Yes'. He was only half-kidding. I finally wrote to a few tour operators for quotes. Only two have written back thus far. One for Namibia called Cardboard Box Travel and the other is Wayo Africa for Tanzania.
I am now facing a question of what kind of experience would I like to have and I don't know! They both sound great! Namibia has unique, beautiful scenery and the wildlife at Etosha Park sounds great!
The car, even though I have anxiety about it, will allow me some freedom to do my own thing if need be and I think breaks/stops will allow me to interact with locals. I will be staying at lodges and can either go on game drives myself or go on organized drives. Namibia just feels a bit more DIY even though it really won't be. There doesn't seem to be any hangups about not being covered from head to toe.

                                                                 

Sossusvlei, Namibia

      Tanzania on the other hand does have a hangup about clothing, which I suppose if it came down to it, I could handle because from what I've seen it's worth it. The wildlife there looks amazing and so does the Serengeti. And really, going to the Serengeti should be on everyone's bucket list. The safari tour with Wayo sounds very intriguing and really that is what's making my heart beat for Tanzania. It will be mostly camping/glamping right in the thick of things and a couple of walking safaris. Not to mention we wouldn't have to drive and we would have our own guide.  And then there are the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar or Pemba Island. Being grotty during the safari and relaxing for 4 or  5 days at the end on a lovely beach sounds heavenly.

       Also it includes most things like food and 

game drives which Namibia does not. We would

Acacia Tree, Tanzania

have to pay for park fees, gas, and whatnot on our/my own. On the outset it seemed like Namibia would be the cheaper option, but when counting in those things, it comes out roughly the same as far as cost is concerned. So here I am, unable to decide and I guess it's not all up to me for the moment. I actually have to think of another person. People always ask me what it's like to travel alone, and now I feel like asking people what it's like to travel with someone. 

 

     

Namibia, maybe?

   Welp, here we go again! I have been all around the world in my head trying to decide where I should go. At first it was back to Brazil. As much as I love it there, there's really one place left that I would love to see: Lencois Maranhenses. For right now though, it's not enough. I also thought about going back to Colombia as well, but I thought to myself, it's so uncreative. I always want to try something new and different. I loved Italy last year, but it was comfortable. This year I want to be uncomfortable and completely out of my element. So then I thought, Iceland! And that would be great, but I'm one of those people running a heater in the office in the summer time, so I can't even imagine how I would cope my body temp drops and there's nothing I can do about it. Who wants to spend their entire vacation next in a hotel boiler room? Not me. So then my thoughts swung over to the other side of the world. Indonesia? It looks fun, but I think I overdosed on that part of the world during my whirlwind Thailand, Cambodia, Japan trip in 2013. Then I thought I had a eureka moment with the South Pacific...Fiji in particular...which has always been the subject of a crude inside joke between me and Mr. Brknsuitcase. It's always been on my bucketlist and it's still in the back of my mind, but I lost the thirst for it as well.

     I wanted to think a little outside the box. On iTunes they used to have playlists and on one tab would be a "Deep Cuts" list. Like if you know all the hits from an artist, but want to go deeper. This is what I want this trip to be. I've played the hits. I was slowly getting there with Vanuatu. Kind of difficult to get to and little known, so not hoards of tourists. And a real cultural feel. I think what sort of deflated both of these was the conservatisim. Granted, I don't usually walk around in bikinis in normal life, but when I have to be careful about wearing above knee shorts (not even the booty kind) in a dreadfully hot country, count me out.  I liked it and was going with it, until I saw Madagascar. Africa! Why not?! Lemurs and Baobabs! So I started looking at tours and then I saw you pretty much need a car and driver to take you places. And it also seems like the country is split. The southern part it seems is all the wildlife (lemurs) and the north is beaches and Tsingy's. It just felt like I would have to choose which side...like the Kramer vs. Kramer of vacations.

       Then I moved to Tanzania and Zanzibar. Hey, best of both worlds..but..it's a conservative country...again. I then moved back to Mada and thought, well I could do Mada south and then maybe trip on over to Mozambique for a week for some beach time. It's still a possibility. Then I saw a picture of Namibia as I was researching a tour company for Mada itineraries. It was love at first sight and unfortunately the most difficult for me to undertake. The more I read about it, the more I love the idea of it. I, of course, will be travelling by myself. This leaves me with only two possibilities of getting around: a guided tour or self-drive. The pro of a guided tour is that it generally comes out cheaper and your activities are mostly planned out. The con of a guided tour is that your activities are mostly planned and also what if you hate your tour group. I mean, you will be spending practically every waking moment with strangers. It could come out 50/50. And while it's cheaper, it's not THAT cheap and I don't want to take a chance on the shitty 50%. I lean on the misanthropic side anyway.

     So now I'm thinking about a self-drive which is fraught with all kinds of fucked up difficulties. First of all, most cars for hire are manual transmission. I'm automatic only. I've read the travel forums and I see some automatics for hire, but they are rare and therefore way more expensive.  They also drive on the left, which means the driver's seat is on the bloody right side of the car. So I'm fucked right out of the gate. On the one hand, I really do need to learn to drive stick and on the wrong side of the road (yeah I said it!) especially if I want to go to Oz or NZ or the UK. I also pretty much know the itinerary I want to take and as I never take it easy and just sit in one place for any length of time, I'm going practically from top to bottom. That is a LOT of driving through desert which for some and maybe me is super boring. From what I've read the roads are sometimes gravel, sometimes tarred, but well maintained and signposted. The scenery from pictures is stunning and the chance to catch some wildlife leaves me equally ecstatic. I would also love to visit a Himba village as well and drink beer in a shebeen. I'm very much into it. Travelling on the open road, watching out for animals, large and small, crossing my path. Me and my tunes. The deep cuts.

   

At least I have Pringles.

     I'd gone through this trip relatively hiccup free. I'd gotten colds, but that was as bad as it got.

 

     I'd spent the night previously at this restaurant at 10 Corso Como in Milan. It was pretty good, and as usual throughout my whole stay in Italy after a meal was wine drunk. I'd built up a good tolerance and wasn't sloppy, but after a day of travel with little food since morning was buzzing pretty hard. Near the end of my meal a couple sat down at the table next to mine. I paid the check and left. I didn't even get coffee, because I was just exhausted beyond belief. The apartment where I was staying was thankfully right across the street.

     So off I went, barely took my clothes off, before I passed out. I woke up the next day hangoverless and ready to head to The Duomo. Showered and was getting my usual stuff, camera, wallet, passport. Uh oh...where's my wallet? I lifted up the blanket on the bed. Not there. I looked under the bed, I went to the bathroom. Not there. I dumped all the contents out of my backpack and felt through all the pockets. Not there. The apt was really not that big and minimalist in furnishing. Maybe 300 sq ft if that. It was a studio/efficiency. At this point, I started to panic and thought about what I did the night before. I left the restaurant and strolled outside and walked to my apartment. No one got close enough to me to take anything and wouldn't have had a chance to. 

 

     It was 10am and the restaurant hadn't opened yet. There was a security person there that said they wouldn't open until 1130am, but I should probably wait until 12. That left a full 2 hours to expect the worse. The apartment, unfortunately did not have wifi, so I had to grab my Kindle and phone, and go outside. I looked up my accounts online to see if there was any activity. None on the credit cards, and my bank's site was down for maintenance. Nonetheless I was still freaking out. My phone was dying and the only internet available was blessedly free internet that I guess is provided by the Milan city government. Spotty though. Kindle browsing is shit. It is a horrible HORRIBLE feeling when all your money (yes I know I probably should've kept some cash separate in my room) is just gone. I had no money to use at an internet cafe, no money to take a cab to the airport if I needed to leave..nothing. I thought of calling Mr. Brknsuitcase  to wire me some money, but how would I get to Western Union to get it? I didn't have cab fare, not to mention it would've been useless anyway as it was Sunday....when everything (important anyway) is closed. 

     Then I thought. Travel insurance! Surely they wouldn't be able to replace any money that I had that day. They would have to wire the money and again, how would I get it? The embassy would probably bail me out, but it was closed as well. All these thoughts ran through my head and all solutions were just impossible, outside of begging people for money on the street...in Milan on a street where dresses cost 600.00 USD and up. It was dire. At best, I would miss my flight out of Italy if Mr. Brknsuitcase could wire the money in the morning. At worst I'd be stuck in Italy for however many days until travel insurance or wire transfer came in. I went back into the apartment and tried to think of my way out of the situation, coming up against a brick wall each time. And I don't know, once I realized the situation was completely out of my control, I calmed down. It would eventually work out, I told myself, even if I have to suffer for a while. I had a can of Pringles left from my train trip and ate one chip considering that this would be what I'd have to live on for the next few days. 

So dramatic. :D

Anyway, the two hours pass and I walk over to the restaurant. The waiter recognized me and smiled. At that moment I knew I was saved! He said, 'Ahh you left your wallet here.' and I gave him the biggest hug I've ever given anyone! He laughed and a woman came out and said that she actually found it on my table and ziploc'd and stapled it so no one would tamper with it. All my money and cards were there. I thanked them profusely and offered her money as a reward, but she wouldn't take it. I was so hopped up on adrenaline, my hands were shaking. They offered a coffee and I settled down. I left a big tip.

     So let this serve as a cautionary tale. I knew these, but obviously didn't follow it.

1. Keep an emergency stash of money, a credit card, and maybe a can of Pringles in your room.

2. Check yo'self when you leave any establishment.

The end.