Friendly Irish cops and the American Consulate

The back of a Belfast police car. Behind the gates of the American consulate. You just can't buy this kind of access. Well, there is a cost for that kind of adventure.

The plan was to stop over in Belfast long enough to change from a train to a bus, and continue to Giant's Causeway, a natural rock formation on the northern coast. Our day bag holds some important things for Devon -- cash and credit cards, her phone and tablet, and passport. Did I say "holds"? I meant held.

Who knows where that bag is now.

A change of possession before using the restroom. A stop on the bench by the train tracks. A brisk walk through downtown Belfast. Only after we had traveled most of the way to the bus station did we notice the day bag was gone.

"I thought you had it." "I thought *you* had it."

Rats. A dash back to the train station. Even though we were gone for 20 minutes or so, pessimism won the day. No bag. Some morally compromised individual hit the jackpot.

Thanks to Devon's dad for cancelling the cards. Sorry we had to wake you up.

Belfast police are super friendly. It soon became obvious that we weren't going anywhere. It took a bit of time before we were able to file a report with an officer, as most are otherwise occupied. Thanks, Obama. (Google "Belfast G8 conference for more on that.)

When the hour grew late, the officer phoned ahead to the consulate to make sure they would stay open for us. And we got chauffeured in the back of his patrol car! He wasn't allowed to hit the lights, though, as apparently that is strictly regulated.

We are back in businesses. The consulate rushed a replacement, found us lodging for the night, and even gave us a lift to the random b&b in a lovely university neighbourhood.

It was an expensive mistake, to be sure. But we remain unbowed.  Matt's money belt held our tickets, 2nd cash stash, and other reservations, which meant those were still intact. The plan was always to have redundant resources so Devon and Matt back each other up. It was never the plan to blow through the backup on Day 2.

Onward and upward! We're still gonna do this thing.

This photo is the last image of the bag we have, and it shows Devon in front of our train, the enterprise. Live long and prosper.