Glory, Glory Hallelujah!!

Day 1: February 6, 2011

Port of Miami, Florida

1 P.M.

Chapter 1:

We arrived at the Port of Miami via taxi in one piece and three hours early! All luggage was checked in and we were told it would be delivered to our room later in the evening.  We had our swimsuits carefully packed in our carry-on's so that we could lounge by the pool after boarding the ship.  Shannon did have a bottle of wine in her bag but we somehow managed to make it through security without being detained for questioning.  No one forgot their Passports or tickets...good to go! We were issued our room key and it was time to board the ship! We were literally ten steps from being on Carnival Glory when Shannon realized that she had lost an envelope that held $340. 
*Note:  Shannon's description for this envelope - It is a white bank envelope with a small green frog.

Chapter 2:
Shannon believes she has left her envelope on the counter of some store in the middle of Miami. We have no idea what the name of the store is called or where it is located.  Thankfully, after searching through her purse, we find the receipt with a number and address.

Chapter 3: 
I call the store, only to be greeted by someone who knows minimal English.
Me: "Hello, we were in your store an hour ago and may have left an envelope with money on the counter.  The envelope has a little green frog. Was anything turned in?" 
Store: "Yes, yes".
Me:  "Can we come back and get it?" 
Store: "Yes, Yes."
Me:  "Great. My sister will be there shortly!"

Chapter 4:
Shannon takes a taxi back to the store to claim her lost money while my mother and I wait patiently at port. My mom is feverishly saying the prayer of St. Anthony for my sisters "situation".  I do not pray well under stress, as they sound more like drunken rants.  However, I did contemplate opening the bottle of wine in my sisters bag but I did not have a corkscrew on hand.

Chapter 5:
Shannon calls me from the store crying, "No one will help me! They say I have to wait until tomorrow to get my money!  They want to review the cameras tomorrow but we won't be here tomorrow...we leave today!  The store manager is a horrible man! He won't help me!"

Chapter 6:
Shannon makes it back to the Port of Miami, without her little white envelope.  She talks to a police officer who tells her the store address is not his jurisdiction and cannot help.  He advises her to call the Miami Police Department to file a report.  When we call, we are told that this is a low priority case and that an officer would not be available before our ship leaves at 4 p.m.  Really...??  $340 is a low priority case in Miami??  Huh...who would have guessed!?!  Bon voyage little white envelope with green frog and $340...

Chapter 7: 
We somberly board our ship at 3:30 p.m...so much for packing those suits and getting some sun.  We make it into our room to freshen up and drop off our bags. We are just about to track down the closest bar when there is a knock at our door:  Two suitcases have made their way up to our room and both are Shannon's.  I open one of the suitcases...Sitting neatly on top of her clothes is a white envelope with $340 inside. 

**Note:  Let me just clarify that this envelope was not a bank envelope, nor did it have a little green frog anywhere on it.  However, inside the envelope there was $340 and a sticky note with a green frog.  All I can say is that I'm glad we weren't under oath with the description.

Chapter 8:  My family is CrAZy!!  I believe I will need a vacation from the vacation if we make it home. But I love them dearly.  It's nice to know that when I find myself having "moments", it all makes sense ;)

St. Anthony, St. Anthony

Please come down!

Something is lost

And can't be found!!