The time I had to stay an extra day in Italy... Part 1

There wouldn't have been a Brassart on this international trip without a crazy adventure. Remember this?
We made it across the pond and to 5 different cities without any major catastrophes. It was all too good to be true.
Side note: Every time we've traveled internationally and gathered our baggage, I have seen the carousel that is bringing around the baggage from Milan and I've always wanted to visit the city. I was finally in Milan! My luggage was going to come out from the carousel entitled Milan! Score!

We arrived in Milan on Friday before leaving the upcoming Monday. Our touring plans had to change suddenly due to a state funeral taking place in the famous Duomo (Cathedral) of Milan on Saturday morning which was our scheduled tour time. After visiting the Castle of Milan and seeing one of Michaelangelo's three Pietas, taking a quick photo in front of the Opera House of Milan
seeing where St. Augustine was baptized, and watching the sunset from the roof of the Duomo, we headed back to our hotel.

The Castle of Milan

Michaelangelo's unfinished Pieta

The Opera House of Milan

The Duomo

The baptistery where St. Augustine was baptized

Flying buttresses...So Gothic!

Sunset

Breathtaking

Britney and Me

More Sunset

I just loved it!

Friends! We took on Milan together!

We had a lovely afternoon. On our way back to the hotel, I pulled my phone out of my purse to text my wonderful mom. We were having a lovely chat when the bus pulled up to the hotel. I slipped my purse over my shoulder into its proper cross-body position. As we all headed towards the doors, I saw two suspicious looking characters trying to maneuver through our crowd of people. I instinctively grabbed my purse and attempted to pull it to the front on my body. The next time I looked down at my purse, I found that the zipper was open and my travel wallet was gone. It was my wallet that held my passport. I ran back out to the bus to see if it had fallen out in my seat. No luck! Then it hit me that the two squirrly individuals that were crossing through our group grabbed my wallet because my purse had unfortunately been unzipped.

No, I didn't cry at first. I told my professors and Dr. Huelin took off down the street to see if they had grabbed what they wanted and dumped the wallet. No luck there either! Inside the lobby, I processed what had happened and the tears came. Everyone was so great and encouraged me. I gained my composure. I went back to my room to double check that I hadn't left it there before we began our tour. No luck! I went back downstairs and called my mom. The tears came again. My wonderful mother also encouraged me and assured me that it was okay!

The hotel managers encouraged us to file a police report in case my passport was found. Our tour guide from the afternoon was so kind and postponed her evening plans to head down to the station with us. It was Dr. Huelin and 5 girls. We got to the station and I filed the report. I had to sign four copies of the report for their records. That is when it really hit me. I HAVE BEEN PICKPOCKET/VIOLATED! I WANT MY PASSPORT BACK! I WANT MY MAMA! ALL OF MY COOL STAMPS ARE GONE! That all ran through my mind. I didn't actually verbalize it and scare the police officer half to death.  Here is a snapshot of us in the police station. I'm the one sporting the police report.

Rachel, Britney, Rebecca, and Me They were the best!

Our next move took us to a photo booth in the metro to take my emergency passport the Consulate would issue me. Here is the result of that exciting side adventure.

Illena our wonderful tour guide

After taking the photos, saying goodbye to our tour guide, and eating a really good dinner I began to mentally gear up for visiting the American Consulate on Monday morning. Stay tuned for Part 2.