I was finally getting my act together. I was getting caught up, figuring out the system, and had survived my first end of term. So, after school on Sunday, trying to shop on the "weekend" is INSANE!, Zantika and I headed to the "home" store to get the shelving/storage items I needed to get everything organized. We first went to the stationary store. We waited half an hour for the place to open, as it was closed for prayer. My wallet zipper has not been working well, so I mentioned that it was way past time to get a new wallet, while I was putting my wallet in my purse. We then walked to the "home" store, having found an empty shopping cart in the street. I pulled a wipe out of my purse to wipe the handle, and had to move my wallet to get to it. (I think you know where this is headed). When we arrived at the store, I left Zantika with the cart and headed upstairs with my purse over my shoulder and under my arm.
While I was upstairs searching the very cramped aisles for exactly what I needed, I was pushed and bumped and jostled by 2-3 women in full abaya/hijab/niqab. They were pushing past me, crowding me, and basically blocking whatever aisle I tried to go down. When I went back downstairs, I mentioned what had occurred. I was being rushed to leave the store because OF COURSE it was f'ing prayer time AGAIN! I did NOT want to have to wait for the store to reopen to pick up the last few things I needed so I rushed around to get my last few things. I had brought a big Ikea bag to put my larger purchases in and spent time arguing with the clerk and bagger about not putting it in MORE plastic bags. When it came time to pay...no wallet. My receipt said I had checked out at 5:44 pm. Zantika was kind enough to lend me the cash.
The clerk, manager, and security guard all started telling me I had to leave so they could close for prayer. I explained I needed to check for my wallet but they told me no. They had turned off all the lights so it probably would not have been possible. They refused to deal with the issue of my wallet in order to close for prayer. I was forced to sit outside and wait for the store to re-open in order to actually search for my wallet. When I was unable to find it, and I was able to find someone to translate I thought it had been stolen, they told me, I shit you not, "No problem, we will contact you if we find it. You must have lost it, because NOBODY steals ANYTHING in Saudi. This just does NOT happen here."
The manager had the workers search the store and reported that it was not there. He also had someone, allegedly, view the video and then told me they saw nothing. I was lead to believe they did not even see me on the cameras. REALLY?!?! Yeah, because there are SOOOOOO many uncovered white women in Saudi with red hair, I just blend right into the crowd. While we were waiting, it was time for prayer AGAIN! They tried to usher me out of the store and I refused to leave until they had at least called the police so I could file a report in order to replace my passport. Yes, my wallet contained my cash, my passport, and all my credit/debit cards. It also contained the Iqama number I need to refill my phone. I had tried to fill it earlier, but was told the "system was down" and there was nothing they could do. Did I mention that they kept telling me, "No problem, we will contact you," but they had NOT taken my contact information?
They FINALLY called the police. When the very young, very new, very junior officer arrived, he spoke not a word of English. The store manager translated some of what was going on, so the newbie called his supervisor. The supervisor told me to go to the police station to file a report. They do not carry reports in their squad cars. Oh yeah, and I would have to take a cab to get there. After I screamed, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I HAVE TO PAY TO TAKE A CAB TO FILE A THEFT REPORT? WITH WHAT? THEY GOT MY WALLET! The manager hailed a cab, gave the driver cash and directions and sent us off.
When we got to the police station we were ushered into a room and told to wait. I had tried to explain that I needed to file a report and they just kept saying, "wait". The newbie arrived, explained what I needed, and they told me I was at the wrong station to file a report. no words.... They found a guy to translate for them and anytime I got a bit vocal or loud he told me to be quiet. YES! I finally told him, in no uncertain terms, "If you tell me to shut up one more time, I will snap you in half!" The supervisor showed up and told them to take the report, but they refused and called us a cab. I refused to get into the cab because the supervisor kept telling me here. Zantika finally got me into the cab and we were taken to a police station that was one block from the scene of the crime....really (VERY HEAVY SIGH)
We were turned over to a guy with 3 stars on his shoulder, and told he would take care of it. He put us in an office, offered us bottled water, and left. He showed up quite a while later with someone how apparently spoke passable English. I again explained what had happened and he said they would check the store tapes. He also said it was highly unlikely my wallet had been stolen, as that was very rare in Saudi. Was I sure I did not leave it at home or drop it? After forever, the 3 star captain came back to say there was nothing on the tapes, but they all agreed, in part to shut me up and to get rid of me, they would take a report saying I had lost my wallet, probably outside of the store. I had not eaten, had no water, was tired. The police did finally take my phone number, after insisting and yelling at them they should, at about 10:55pm. We got home at 11:30pm.
When I went to school the next day, exhausted, I was useless. I had gotten home, taken a shower, and realized that, because I did not have my phone with my during all the above, I had to get online and put a lock on all my credit cards, etc. Zantika had notified the vice-principal the night before, as well as the principal, so we would have an excuse when we were late the next day. The vice-principal came in to check on me and I lost it. The principal took my class assignments for the day and sent me home to contact the embassy. My wifi chose that day to not work. I did my laundry and then went to bed.
I was finally able to get a good connection about 6pm. I went online and followed the directions to apply for a replacement through the embassy in Jeddah. I was told they would NOT accept a handwritten copy, it had to be done online. I filled that bastard in about 10 times, each time getting the response that I did not HAVE a passport to report lost or stolen....FUCKING REALLY?!?! I did manage to make an appointment for Wed. to go to the embassy and fill out the application for a new one. We managed to get a human on the phone who said they would take a written copy of the writing was clear and legible....no problem. I borrowed SAR 1000 for things like food and water.
So, SAR 78 for the bus round-trip to Jeddah, SAR 513 for a new passport, a lost day of work, and a LOT of tears, I should have a new passport in 2 weeks. I was very fortunate in that one of the teachers has a husband who lives in Jeddah. He was kind enough to pick me up, take me to the embassy, explain all the ropes, wait until I was finished, drive me to the grocery store containing imported stuff, and then drop me off back at the bus station. With a week like this, chocolate chip cookies are a must, not a want!
The day after this happened, I informed the principal, that because I was being forced to leave the country and return home in December to obtain a new passport, I might not be coming back. They had issued me a wrong visa so I was being forced to take that shitass 14 hour flight AGAIN. I had hoped I would be able to go to Bahrain like last time, but nope, it was the USA or bust.
My current flight to the US is set for Dec. 27. There is NO WAY IN HELL I am spending Christmas in Saudi, so fingers crossed, I can change the flight to the day after school gets out Dec. 21. I will have to be back Jan. 6.
It has taken a lot out of me these last few days. I survived cancer, but I knew what I was up against. I knew the enemy. Here, the enemy hides behind coverings and Saudi culture. I came to realize, I was not that upset about the wallet, or replacing everything, but rather, in the way I was treated by everyone involved. I am still being asked if I am sure I didn't just misplace it because that just doesn't happen in Saudi. It took me 5.5 HOURS to file a fucking police report and I had to FORCE them to take my fucking phone number....really?
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