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.
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