Friday, October 11, 2013

The Police: Can't Stand Losing You

Remember those residency cards we worked so hard to obtain? (Click here for an intro.)

Well, I lost my card somewhere at Feria Wednesday night.

I've got a trip to the States planned for November. There's no time to get a new card before I leave. So in addition to that process, I would also have to get a document to allow me back into the country.

DUDO DECIDED TO SEARCH THE HOUSE FOR MY CARD. SUCH A HELPER.
(CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO WIDEN THE SEARCH.)

Yesterday after morning coffee, I walked over to the National Police station to find out what I needed to do to replace my card. The nasty Englishman (click here if you don't know him) was of course at the desk. He wasn't as nasty as usual, but he told me he didn't know what to do. "Come back tomorrow," he said (kind of like Dorothy's first audience with "The Wizard of Oz"). However, he added that there would be someone there who could help me. And, since I have no interest in getting back to Kansas, I decided to obey.

LOOKING HIGH AND LOW.

So, this morning I began the walk back to the National Police station. I didn't have the energy to make a stop at the fairgrounds yesterday. But, I thought I should tough it out today just in case the card was found (amid all the trash and horse poop) and turned in.

DUDO EVEN CHECKED THE TERRACE...
... AND THE SKY(?)

There was a police car outside the fairgrounds watching over things. I explained that I had lost my card and asked if there was an office on the grounds. I was told that if anything is found, it's brought to the Local Police station. That station is directly on the way to the National Police, so I figured I'd stop by  — having no expectation of success.

THEN HE OFFERED TO LOOK NEXT DOOR (IF I'D ONLY MOVE THAT STUFF OUT OF THE WAY).
(NICE TRY.  I THANKED HIM AND SENT HIM BACK INSIDE.)

At the Local Police station, I was treated very kindly. No nasty Englishmen ... or mad dogs. The cop looked up my name and didn't find anything. But, he asked for my phone number and said they'd call if my card turned up.

POLICIA LOCAL, FUENGIROLA.

I walked out the door and hadn't gone more than another block when my phone rang. It was the Local Police. He had found my card! On my return, he apologized profusely saying his colleague had mistakenly entered it under my middle name. I told him I should have thought to ask because that's a very common error. Most Spaniards have two last names. So, our middle names are often mistaken for our last names.

So, my residency card is found. (I couldn't stand the thought of losing it.) And... The Police are our friends.




P.S.:  I got my lab results and saw the specialist again this afternoon. I have a bacterial infection. It's getting better. No more antibiotics. Nothing to worry about. Still not feeling great but I soon will (according to the doctor).

20 comments:

  1. That must have been a huge relief. The 'a foreigner abroad' back links were interesting.

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    Replies
    1. Andrew:
      I could not believe my good fortune today. And, oh, our first year learning the ropes was definitely interesting.

      Delete
  2. I would have been fit to be tired with frantic anxiety; phew for you !!

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    1. Spo:
      Normally, I probably would have been, also. I think being so rundown in general helped. I was annoyed with myself for being careless. Other than that, it was simply an "oh crap" couple of days. What a surprisingly good outcome!

      Delete
  3. All's Well That End's Well! But how terrible to think it might have been lost forever! I think the worry could not have helped your cold. But I think you will be well soon!

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    Replies
    1. Kristi:
      Well, the quest for a replacement got me out and about.Maybe that helped towards a cure (which I'm still awaiting...) Can't believe how lucky I was.

      Delete
  4. Wow, thank HEAVENS! So glad for you to have found it, and to have had such masterful help around the house looking for it ;)
    I am quite impressed to hear that you said something like, "I should have thought to..." -- I'm so stuck in Spanish-I that I wouldn't remember off the top of my head how to say that. How did you actually phrase it?
    Glad you're feeling better little by little, too!
    Judy

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    Replies
    1. Judeet:
      Oh, I sound much more fluent when I tell you in English what I "meant to say" in Spanish. I think I said something like "Yo debería haber dicho a buscar a mi segundo nombre tambien," which was supposed to mean I should have told you to look at my second name, too." I know "Yo debería" is correct for the "I should" part! And he at least knew what I was talking about. It's a lot more than I could do last year!

      Delete
    2. Hey, that's what Google translate says to say, so, good job *LOL*!

      Delete
    3. Judeet:
      Ooh, I now "talk good like Google Translate"! That's certainly an improvement but sometimes a bit peculiar.

      Delete
  5. Everything is getting better! Good that the card was found and turned in! And that your infection is improving....sounded like a dousy!
    Love those shots of Dudo Mitch! What a sweetie!

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      Yep, things turned out well. But Dudo is suddenly interested in next door again. I think I've successfully block access, but he IS a cat!

      Delete
  6. Well, I think someone owes Dudo and Moose something special for all the help they gave in looking for the card!

    Glad you got it, and glad you're on the mend.

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    Replies
    1. Bob:
      I gave them both treats (even though Moose didn't really try to help at all). Dudo came back a second time; I guess he figured he deserved doubles for all his hard work.

      Delete
  7. Phew! That was a close one. Glad you'll be feeling better. Ken and I are battling colds at the moment. Yuck.

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    1. Walt the Fourth:
      It's really the pits when you're both sick at the same time. Hope you're feeling better quickly.

      Delete
  8. I bet Dudo shared your relief, even if it means (I assume) he's going to have to be away from home while you're gadding about the globe.

    Hope you're not feeling too down to function. Doesn't sound like it's quite THAT bad.

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    Replies
    1. Raybeard:
      I'm going to ask our neighbor (who took care of the cats in April) to take care of them again. She and her daughter come up at least twice a day. They water plants, play with the cats, and make sure everything's OK. I'll have them give the boys daily treats. Dudo is terrified of strangers. It will be good for him to have 10 days with someone else coming and going... and giving him treats.

      As for me, I'm not whining (much) anymore. Glands are still swollen but are no longer painful. I've even got a couple of energetic bursts during the day.

      Delete
  9. What a weight off your back that you don't need to go through all that turmoil to replace your card. Fortune was smiling on you.

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    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      I'm sure it would have been a headache to replace the card (just dealing with the Nasty Englishman already made it so). It would have required at minimum three more visits to the National Police. Not only that, the local police were extremely pleasant. I can't believe my good fortune!

      Delete

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