Time and Money!
Last week after the incident the following took place:
- file a police report (need translator for sure - the manager from the hotel was most kind and giving me a lift to the station on the back of his motorbike and helping me out)
- fill out application to get new passport at the American Citizens Services office (need police report, 2 passport photos of the right dimensions (the new ones I got the night before were not to spec so I had to get newer ones and they did an awful job with touching up the photos), and $135). It takes 7-10 days to get the new one. This morning they said the passport is in transit. I plan to pick it up March 10th before going to the airport - we fly to Saigon that afternoon.
- go to the Immigration Office to get a new exit visa to leave the country (need to fill out application, passport, a ticket showing the date leaving the country, $35) and this takes 3 days. Will have to do this in Saigon.
- Call to cancel/replace credit cards. Vietnam DOES NOT do collect calls.
- Replaced mobile phone and bought a new SIM card $30. It costs about $5 to get about 5 minutes of international calling time.
- In the process of canceling Traveler's Cheques. I ran out of minutes but without minutes my phone is useless even for incoming calls. Called American Express again to have them call me back at the hotel but they said there would be a LONG wait.
- Called my Colorado bank but they are closed on Sundays and have normal banking hours during the week.
- One credit card did arrive to my home address and now that needs to be FedExed to Saigon
Hoping that by March 15th or so I will have a credit card, an exit visa, and a passport to leave the country.
I certainly have learned my lesson about keeping all valuables on my body or in a safe!
