Our trip to Italy was perfect in every sense save for one unfortunate incident that happened early on in the vacation. The husband's wallet got stolen on one of the busy metros. The loss was about 100 euros and all his identity and credit cards!Thankfully he had the rest of the cash in a safe place. But this episode rattled us to say the least! How, who, why...questions filled our heads.Having lived long spells in cities like Singapore and now Helsinki (our trips to India don't count as we are forever being shepherded by family) where safety and trust are so taken for granted, we were rudely welcomed back to the real world!
We rushed to a police station to register a complaint. But to add further salt to our wounds, we faced this huge barrier called language!! We lumbered across town with heavy hearts to 4 different stations only to find that none of the staff there spoke English!As we were waiting at one such station, the husband and I were discussing what to do next in low tones. We took it in our stride and told ourselves that it could happen to anybody (and it did to seven other people , the same day, the same metro- Barberini for those of you who want to know). But the disappointment in the Dad's face was writ large. Being the most responsible character at home, I guess he was upset that he could be taken advantage off than even losing the stuff. That's when we noticed two pairs of eyes keenly watching our every move.
V&S were quiet throughout the afternoon. I guess they had only read about thieves and never actually come across any. We explained to them how these things do happen and the Dad took the opportunity to highlight the fact that in such cases it is best to remain calm and composed and look for solutions, like we were doing just then.
They nodded their heads absorbing it all in. V then asked if we'd have money for the next meal, live on the streets of Helsinki when we get back and if we were officially now 'poor'. Justifiable seven year old worries!
The little girl suddenly blurted out ' Dada, I don't see the whole fuss behind this! Amma says that the bank will give you new cards. You tell me that you have a job where the money lost can be easily made back. So why are you all looking so sad? Is it because of the wallet? Was it a special gift? Don't worry, V has several at home and I'll ask him to give you his best wallet, ok? Now, can we please go and get some gelato?'
If only we can always, always be like you, Shriya! Seeing the positive in everything and shrinking problems to nothing! She'll never sweat the small stuff and according to her everything is really small stuff!! I don't know how much we taught you from this rather invasive real-life incident, but you sure did teach us a thing or two that day, Little Miss Sunshine!
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