8/5/2008

Recently I was ready to board an airplane and realized at the check-in counter that my passport was expired. Things happen.
Not too long afterwards I reached into my pursue and realised that my wallet was missing. Things happen, and then more things happen.
Sometimes, when travelling, things can get... misplaced. As our bodies wander into different territories so do our thoughts. And sometimes
it is a blessing in disguise when excess luggage, or excess weight of any kind, is left behind. So, although I'm sure that only good things happen to most who come to Madrid, here is a 3 step guide for anyone who might be faced with a blessing in disguise:

If you loose your wallet:

1. First, take it easy, material problems have solutions.

2. Ask the Lost and Found of any place you've been to, good opportunity to retrace your steps.

And finally, the one stop solution:

3. Go straight to the closest neighbourhood Police Station (Comisaría of the Policía Nacional) to report it. There you will be able to cancel your credit cards and
call the appropriate embassy or consulate if you've also lost your passport and ID. The Police is very nice and ready to assist you in making the phone calls
if you don't speak Spanish. There is a central police station, but every neighbourhood has it's own. Police stations are open 24 hours a day. Make every call you need to make from the station, that's what it's there for, to protect and serve. Below is a list of a few that might come in handy:

Central Police Station:
c/ Luna, 29.
Tel: 91 521 12 36
Metro: Noviciado

C/ Rey Francisco 15
28008 Madrid
915 488 130
Metro: Ventura Rodríguez

C/ Leganitos 19
28013 Madrid
915 487 985‎
915 410 535‎ - Fax
Metro: Santo Domingo, or Plaza de España

C/ Rafael Calvo 33
28010 Madrid
913 223 268‎
913 223 263‎ - Fax
Metro: Rubén Darío

That's it. If you need to call a relative to have a Western Union transfer made to you remember that there is an office in Gran Via 84. If they don't let you call directly from the police station, ask if you can make a llamada a cobro revertido (collect call in Spanish). Remember to keep a copy of the report (denuncia), you might need it.

And finally: Feel Good. I've been told that loosing something material means you are letting go of heavy karma... So just enjoy your lighter load...

Bye for now, I wish you all good things.