Grand-Sirenis.com

[joy]

Hello...

I learned a valuable lesson while traveling to Mexico this past month... and thought I would share it. Warning... it's a long long post, but, for those who are interested, let me just say that the 'lesson' renewed my faith in mankind.

My husband and I have black 'passport pouches' which hang around our necks when we're traveling. You may have seen these on people, or possibly have one yourself. They're great because you don't have to 'fish' through a purse or pocket for your passport when going through customs, plus your hands are free to carry other items.

When we arrived in Mexico in the afternoon, we were tired from traveling, but excited to be there. We had arranged before hand (from Canada) for a 'private transfer' with USA Transfers to pick us up and take us from the airport to the Grand-Sirenis (which, as many of you know, is a approximately an hour and half drive from the airport.

Once we were seated in the car and on our way to the resort, I took my passport pouch from around my neck and very carefully put it in my backpack. The car (a mini van) was very comfortable and our driver was very friendly! He was about 45 and I had great fun trying to talk to him in Spanish (which I have been studying). I learned that his name was Edgar, that he was married, and that he had four young children. (I remember thinking to myself, "My goodness! Four children to feed in Mexico. That must be difficult at times.")

Part way to our resort, we stopped at a convenience store where the driver knew I would be able to use the bathroom. As we pulled into the parking lot, my husband asked me to give him something out of my backpack. (In other words, what happened after this was my husband's fault, of course — ha ha— because he made me open my darn backpack in the dark car!). javascript:emoticon('') Well... you can probably guess what happened, but bear with me, while I carry on with my story.

I gave my husband what he asked for, then I went into the convenience store, used the bathroom, and returned to the car. We drove off.

When we arrived at the resort, my husband gave 'Edgar' a nice tip. I hugged Edgar good-bye and thanked him for helping me with my Spanish and for making our ride so much fun. He gave me a big hug back and said he enjoyed it.

Then my husband and I went into the resort and up the front desk. You have to present a passport in order to register. When I looked in my backpack for my passport... there was NO pouch! My husband said, "It has to be there." I said, "It's not!"

I was soooooooo upset! Not only was my passport in the pouch, so was my birth certificate, medical card, social insurance card, and my driver's license. (Note: I will never again take all those documents with me! I don't know what I was thinking of when we left on this trip. I don't usually take all that with me! I take only photo copies and those are in a separate folder.)

As you can imagine, my mind was racing! The very first thing I thought of was how diffiuclt it would be to replace all those documents — (i.e I'm Canadian, but I was born in the USA, so getting my birth certificate would be complicated.) I also knew it would be an onerous task to reapply for a passport, reapply for a driver's license, reapply for a medical card, etc. etc. etc. etc.

Then it struck me! (with a sick, sinking sensation): "Oh, my god, I won't be able to get out of Mexico without a passport." (Granted, I had photocopies of my passport in my suitcase, but I also knew I would need an actual passport to leave Mexico... or, failing a passport, documentation from the authorities — which meant my husband I and I would have to drive BACK into Cancun to the consulate and get the proper documentation. And that could take days! (Note: I wasn't worried that I would never be able to leave Mexico, or that I wouldn't eventually be able to get back into Canada, but I knew getting the documentation would take time, and I did NOT want to spend my vacation in the city, talking to officials—instead of swimming and snorkeling!! I also knew we might have to spend two or three days in Cancun—and we'd already paid for an all inclusive resort!

As all of this was going through my head, I suddenly realized there was an even bigger problem. (duh) In my pouch was EVERYTHING a person would need to set up another ID and sell it on the black market — which meant I would forever have to worry about the possibility of 'Identity theft' and the ramifications of identity theft (i.e. someone setting up a bank account and credit card in my name, etc. etc) — not to mention the fact that, every time I used my passport, I might have to prove I wasn't the person who had sold it.

There was also $170 US dollars in the pouch — but this point, the money was the least of my worries.

I felt physically sick because I was beginning to realize the ENORMITY of my problem!

The Assistant Front Desk Manager (a young man named Marcos) saw how upset I was and offered to phone USA Transfer for us. I was very grateful for this because it was late (past closing time for the transfer company) and I didn't know whether anyone at the transfer company would speak English. Deep down, I was praying that the transfer company would say they'd found found my passport and that everything was okay — but, at the same time, I was very aware that there was the possibility that my passport pouch had fallen out on to the pavement in the parking lot outside the convenience store (where there were a LOT of people hanging around). There was also the possibility that the driver might not turn it in. I didn't *think* the driver was that type of person, but still, I was worried, because the passport—especially with all the ID to match—could be sold for a LOT of money.

Marcos, the Assistant Manager, made the phone call, but the USA Transfer office had already closed. Marcos assured me he would personally see to it that the company was contacted in the morning. He then let us go ahead and register as guests and we were taken to our room.

I went to bed a very worried traveller.

The next morning, around 9:30 am, the phone rang in our room. The front desk had managed to contact the transfer company — and Edgar, the driver, said he had found the passport on the car seat and would bring it to the resort! He said would drop it off at the resort when he was in the area later that day. He couldn't say exactly when that would be, but he assured the front desk he would bring the passport! I was ECSTATIC!

My husband and I went to the Front Desk and left an envelope there for 'Edgar' with $150 in it — so that, whenever he came to drop off the passport, the money would be waiting for him. We didn't know Edgar's last name, but Marcos, said he would make sure Edgar received the envelope.

About four hours later, we received a message saying the front desk had my passport for me—and would I please come and pick it up! I FLEW to the front desk, hoping to thank Edgar personally—but, alas, Edgar had left. Marcos said he gave him the envelope though.

I opened the passport pouch up and EVERYTHING was in it—including the cash.

I was so happy!!!

And awed.

This could have turned into a nightmare for me—but, because 'Edgar' was an *honest* man, I got my passport back!

This near-fiasco not only taught me a lesson when traveling (i.e. keep you s---t together!), IT renewed my faith in mankind! Edgar has four children to feed in poor country! He could have easily said he hadn't found the passport; that it must have fallen out of the car or something. He could have pocketed the cash... and sold the passport and ID. People I have talked to about the situation estimate he could have sold the passport and ID for $500 to a thousand(+) US dollars.

When I told one of the tourists at the resort what had happened, she said, "You gave the driver a $150 tip! That's crazy!" I looked at her in stunned amazement and said, "It wasn't a 'tip'. I gave him the money because he deserved a reward!" (It was at this point I realized I *should* have given Edgar the entire $170. I don't know why my husband and I decided to round it out to $150. Duh. My only excuse is my brain was still addled! When I stop and think about the hassle and worry that Edgar saved me — not to mention the fact that we would incurred a lot of expense if we'd had to go to Cancun for a couple of days — I am humbled and forever grateful to Edgar. I don't care what country a person might find themselves in —be it Mexico, the USA, Canada, China, Timbucktoo, you name it — there are people who would not be as honest as Edgar was. I wish now I had given him more money. I realize $150 is a lot of money to a worker in Mexico, but I *should* have given all the cash. I've decided I am going to try and send something to his family at Christmas.

When I arrived home in Canada two weeks later, I phoned USA Tranfers in Mexico and asked to speak to the owner (whom I had read on-line was a Canadian.) At first, the person who answered the phone didn't want to put the owner on, but when I told her I had a compliment for the company and of their drivers, she put me through. When the owner came on the phone, I told him what had happened and I told him what a wonderful person Edgar was and what valuable and trusted employee he was, and what a good driver. The owner was pleased and said Edgar had been with the company for a long time. I said I also wanted to make sure Edgar received his money. While I remained on the phone, the owner called Edgar (on a cell phone) and I could hear them talking in Spanish. When the owner came back on the line with me, he said, "Yes, Edgar got his money—and he says he's going to keep the envelope that you it the money in forever."

That brought tears to my eyes.

So... all I can say is: THANK YOU, EDGAR! And for those of you about to travel to the Mayan, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend USA Transfers!

Cheers,
Joy

PS
I'll write a review about the Sirenis in a separate post! [/i]

[joyfulattitude]

Thanks for the lovely post JOY. I trully believe there are far more good people than bad out there, and it is great to hear about the good ones!
_________________
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

[eastcoaster]

Wow that restores my faith in mankind and it was a very generous reward but well deserved. I hope the transfer company tells that story to all it's drivers to encourage that kind of honesty.

[luvwarmweather]

THANK YOU for sharing that incredible story! Not only is it a good reminder for all of us to keep close track of those valuable documents, but so nice to hear about an honest driver. I'm so glad you contacted the owner of the company to give them the positive feedback.
_________________
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

[MayaTripper]

What a heartwarming story. Good for Edgar and good for you too Joy.
_________________
MayaTripper

[lily]

Awww! I love your story!

You are a good person, Joy and you deserved to meet someone as good as Edgar. I believe in karma.

There are many good people in Mexico, such as Edgar. They are not the gas station scam artists so many of us seem to think. The Mexican people are an honest, hard working, friendly and warm people. Most especially the people of Yucatan.

[doglovers]

What a wonderful ending to what was a very awful experience. I'm glad that it all worked out for you!!
_________________
Breezes Punta Cana 2004
Grand Bahia Principe Akumal 2006 and 2007
Grand Palladium Royal Yucatan 2008,2009,2010
Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya 2009

[bgarhan]

What a great story!! Thank You for sharing.

[joy]

Thank you, everyone, for your warm feedback! I appreciate your comments. I felt I should share my experience: 1) to give Edgar (and USA Tranfers) a much deserved public 'pat on the shoulder', and, 2) to urge travelers to be more protective regarding their passports than I was!

I'll be writing a review of the Sirenis too (but much shorter!), as soon I can!

Cheers,
Joy

[Sko]

Wow thats an awesome story, I love good hearted stories!!

I know how you would of felt, I lost my wallet (not passport) in Hong Kong's airport and only realized when I was back in Vancouver. No money, no cards it was the worst. I kept thinking I've been on a plane for 14 hours someone has used all my cards etc. I was starving after my flight, confused from the time difference and exhausted (flying home from Australia)

A lady from Westjet saw me breaking down in the corner of the airport, calmed me down, let me use her cellphone to call and cancel credit cards and bought me lunch. She seriously saved my day and renewed my faith in strangers!!

[joyfulattitude]

Thanks SKO. I'm taking my first flight with WestJet later this afternoon.
_________________
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

[kkat]

something else to add to my list of to do's...
make a copy of any credit card that I am bringing with me...
put in carry on... not in purse...

If something like this happens... you know which cards you have lost and the phone numbers...
I know in a panic state.. I won't remember

thanks for sharing your stories...

[cancunfun]

[bgarhan]

Trina welcome to the forum and thanks for taking the time to post!

[tatooguy]

Great story Joy!! We used USA Transfer too and after that story,I will never use another company (not that I was going to anyways! Loved the service!!) Glad everything worked out for you guys.
_________________
Warning: tequilla can cause memory loss. And worse, memory loss!


[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]