It's quarter past 1 AM here in Singapore, and I am wide awake. I can't help but replay in my head what had happened earlier today. (I guess it's technically yesterday.)
Throughout my travels, I have always had this one fear that haunts me especially when traveling abroad: losing my passport. When people ask me about traveling and what has been the scariest thing that has happened to me while on the road, I always go back to what I've been calling The Prague Incident. That happened when I was on my solo trip to Europe in 2012, which taught me to always have a copy of my passport accessible ALL the time. This cautionary step, helped me out significantly today.
So how did it all go down? Upon our arrival at Singapore's Changi International Airport, we were surprised to see Stuart's dad waiting for us at the Arrivals area. We proceeded to one of the currency exchange booths, so I could get some SGD's. After that we boarded a taxi to take us to the Mandarin Orchard, so Stuart and I could check in and clean up after 20-plus hours of traveling.
I was being received by a Japanese lady named Ai, and it was then at the reception counter when I realized my passport was missing. Let me tell you, that it took all of my strength to refrain from a complete panic meltdown. I had to summon all the good yoga juju that I have been learning to keep calm and focus on remembering any details being asked from me.
Shoutout out to the Mandarin Orchard's outstanding customer service For being instrumental in reuniting me and my passport.
Ai immediately took control of the situation. She called the airport's Lost & Found to formally file a case for me. I gave Ai the money exchange receipt because my gut said I left it there. She also got someone from security to look at the taxi arrival video feed to track down the taxi we arrived in just in case I dropped it in the backseat somewhere.
She tried to make me feel better by suggesting alternative explanations like maybe my husband has it, or my father-in-law has it. No, I told her that this was all on me.
I was given a case ID by the airport people and a phone number to reach them directly for updates. Ai had also checked me in with the information from my passport's digital copy, and then she insisted that I go to the business center and print out a hard copy for my record, which will be required of me to produce if and when I have to go to the U.S. Embassy to process a passport replacement.
Exhausted and deflated, 😔I went up to our room while Stuart went to find his dad, who was getting himself some lunch. All I could think of was, I need a goddamn shower before I can even do anything else. It was 2:45 PM at this point.
I took my shower and formulated what my next moves would be: get to the U.S embassy before they close at 5. Ai gave me the embassy's number and directions to get there. It was only going to be a 10-minute cab ride.
My father-in-law had made calls to the expat support agency that his company works with. The agent tried to get him patched through to the embassy directly, but nobody was answering the calls. I had also tried calling the consular services, and the phone just kept ringing.
Well, crap! It's Friday, and if I don't get this handled now, my next window won't be until Monday, which is when we are all supposed to leave for Penang first thing in the morning. My father-in-law and I were running the different scenarios that this could go down. In order to get a replacement U.S. Passport here in Singapore, I have to file a police report and supply a copy of that report. I would also need to actually book an appointment with the embassy to get a replacement, where I also would need to supply the following:
- A passport photo (which can be done at the embassy)
- Copy of lost passport
- Drivers license or some other for of identification
- Travel itinerary
- Passport application form
- DS-64 Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport
I was ready to just go to the embassy or the police station, and get this process started. We still have 2 more countries to visit on this trip, and I wasn't going to let all of our plans go down the drain. I needed to do something.
This stamp on my passport will carry a symbolic weight: a reminder of my travel folly.
Stuart has been pretty quiet throughout all this, and I could tell he was deeply disappointed by the situation. Before we headed out of our room to address our next steps, he insisted on giving the airport another call. I gave him all the information regarding my case that Ai had written down for me. My father-in-law and I were talking about the change of travel plans for the following week, when suddenly, Stuart, sitting on the floor, raised his hand to grab our attention. And then he said, "They have it!"
And I proceeded to fall flat face-down on the bed. The sense of relief I felt at that point was beyond my comprehension.
We hopped on a cab to take us to Changi's Terminal 3 to retrieve my passport at the arrivals information desk. I signed a form releasing the passport back to me, and on the form, it was indicated that my passport was found at the money exchanger's counter -- my suspicion all along.
After all of this was done, I finally recognized how famished I was. From the airport, we headed straight to our dinner destination, the cheapest Michelin-star rated restaurant that got started in Hong Kong: Tim HoWan. I let myself picture all the dim sum I would eat during the taxi ride while Stuart napped.
Yes, I am damn thankful that the outcome was on the positive side. I am a believer of karma -- especially good travel karma. This was a really close call. I know I will not be able to live this down for a good long while. So kids, learn it from me. Do not ever lose your passport while traveling abroad, and ALWAYS have a copy of it with you handy.
