I recently visited Boston for a weekend getaway trip from New York. I happily walked all around town, from south to north, east to west. On Saturday afternoon, I enjoyed brunch at a local spot and when it was time to pay, I realized that my wallet was gone from my travel purse!!! Did someone steal it?? Did it fell out of my purse while I was reaching in and out of it to grab my cell phone and take pictures? Did I leave it in my Uber ride? I was sure I had it there...
My happy trip all of a sudden turned into a nervous misery, almost a nightmare. Everything I needed was gone in a blink..and it was getting worse by the minute. My banking card and credit card are both issued by Citibank...I quickly realized that Citibank doesn't exist anymore in Boston!!! (keep this in mind during your travels). So no replacement banking card. No cash whatsoever (not even a penny) and since I drove to Boston, I happened to arrive at the hotel on an empty gas tank, thinking I'll just refill it when I leave town (I'm Ubering or walking all the time anyway). I have never lost my wallet before, not ever. Why would I leave extra cash and back-ups of some sort in the hotel? No ID, no car papers..lots of tears is all I had at this point.
After back and forth arguments with Western Union who told me repeatedly that I needed an ID (!) in order to pick up any sort of money transfer and who finally figured out that there is a loophole for us sudden non-ID people (you can pick up money using a secret password and tracking number provided by the sending party) I jumped in an Uber, tearfully deciding to just fill up my gas tank after money pick up and drive back to New York (while crying) to deal with this situation further.
A cell phone call on the way. My New York town police department. My first thought was one of dismay of course, perfect timing for something to go wrong in New York while I'm on vacation in Boston AND missing a wallet.
The police officer told me that there was a man on the other line with him. The man's name was Tom Collins and he guides the Boston City View Trolley tours and...HE HAS MY WALLET AND HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE I GET IT BACK!!!!
Angels do walk the earth and one of them is obviously Tom Collins! Someone on the street found the wallet and gave it to him while hopping on the tour. Tom in his amazing, logic and thorough approach tried to find me in every way with clues my wallet provided so I can get it back as soon as possible, finally deciding to get in touch with my New York town police department, who in turn got in touch with me and connected me with Tom. In less than 30 minutes after the phone call I was able to meet with him and got my wallet (my Boston life!) back.
I don't think I will ever forget Tom Collins and this Boston misadventure/adventure. He was the sweetest, amazing, straight thinking good samaritan on my path that day...good people do exist!!! Thank you once again Tom Collins for being you. A great, great man with a big heart.