We had to book a separate flight from Lima to Cusco. We didn't do this in advance because we were unaware of the distance. It was the flight or a 21 hour bus ride....we were flying. The flight was nowhere near as inexpensive as the Cuenca/Quito flight for a similar distance. We could get that one for about $35 per person. The Lima/Cusco flight was almost ten times that. We later found out it cost about 1/3 less if we had bought the tickets in Peru. Another lesson learned.
I guess no one would be surprised to find out that our flight to Cusco was delayed indefinitely. We sat in a smaller waiting area downstairs from the other gates. There were only four gates there and one set of bathrooms. During such delays, the kids usually played games on their ipads to kill time. I did my usual people watching. Then Maeve panicked and ran to the bathroom. We've all had our share of 'travel tummy', but this was different. She returned saying she didn't know where her ipad was. I couldn't believe it. She had taken it with her to the bathroom (I know....why?) and had placed it on the toilet paper holder and left it there. Of course, 30 minutes later, it was gone.
It's difficult not go into a mom lecture mode. I did let a few comments fly expressing my disappointment...why was it taken to the public bathroom, $500 down the drain, etc. You know it doesn't help, but it was upsetting and hard to control. We looked around. I had been watching people come in and out of the bathroom. There wasn't much traffic. I saw one old Peruvian lady in traditional clothing go in the bathroom and come out quickly. She would have had no time to use the facility. I became skeptical and disappointed in myself too for thinking of that possibilty.
Michael suggested we talk to security. I asked an agent by the gate and he sent me upstairs. We used Liam's identical ipad for a visual reference. Maeve was clearly upset. Fortunately, our flight was delayed, so we had time to go upstairs and inquire. We were told that there were security cameras in the area. I was glad about that, but wondered about how realistic that was and how long it would take to review any such tape.
My Spanish has improved, but not to the point I can explain a missing ipad well. The security agent found someone who spoke English. Then the 'telephone' game began. One agent spoke to another, then another, etc. I was told I could cross security to go to an office, but Maeve was not allowed to come. She had to sit there and wait in anguish. I was sent to yet another security officer who told me in broken English that someone had turned in something similar. I wanted to believe it, but I had to remain calm and realistic. Who returns an ipad found in a big city airport bathroom in a foreign country?
I stood and waited while the man went to the office. He came out with an ipad with a small white paper taped to it. It looked like Maeve's, but again I was cautious. My heart was pounding. I asked if I could open it up. He gave me the ipad and fortunately I knew Maeve's code to unlock it. YES!! It unlocked and I went to show him the pictures to prove it was ours. Of course all of these animated girl model images popped up and it took me a bit to find real pictures. I just unlocked it again and showed him I knew the code. I was incredibly relieved and thankful that someone was honest and turned it in.
Now it got interesting. Once someone submits a lost object to security and you claim it, a whole tracking system begins. None of this was done on computer. The security agent brought out a book. He was required to enter a description of the item, the information of the person claiming it, etc. He wanted my passport to record my identification number. It was with Michael downstairs at the gate. I did have my Illinois driver's license. It proved who I was and the agent seemed satisfied. He filled out the forms and then I actually had to be fingerprinted. I had to place my print next to my signature. I was happy to comply with any request.
Maeve was elated to see that I returned with the ipad. I couldn't wait to show the boys downstairs when we returned. My skepticism vanished and my faith in kind acts was restored. Some delays are simply a blessing.