April 26, 2006

Derosa Daily - Enjoying the Horseless Part of the Journey in Kuala Lumpur

Well, every trip does seem to have its adventuresome twist and mine began very early on for this journey to Kuala Lumpur, the Capital of Malaysia, for the 2006 World Cup Finals, April 26-30. I pulled an all-nighter the day before my departure, which is my typical routine. To begin with I like to squeeze in every ounce of last minute work that I can and next because it helps me to sleep on the plane. Since I had to drive to New Jersey for my midnight flight on April 22 out of Newark (and I live in New York) I cut things as close as I could.

It was pouring rain and more traffic than I would have liked, but getting to the long term parking lot proved to be quicker than anticipated and a parking spot was available close to the exit and bus stop. I was feeling pretty lucky. I cautiously unloaded all my bags with the last thing being my mini briefcase in which I had organized all my papers for the trip and my airplane ticket.

I did a final check that all doors were locked and headed over to the bus stop. My luggage is like a trolley in that it lays flat and you can pile other things on top. And so I laid two bags on top including the briefcase. As I hung by the bus stop I went to get the ticket out of my briefcase and it was gone. I thought it must have bounced off my suitcase but an hour’s worth of looking and still no briefcase turned up. Somehow someone must have lifted it when I wasn’t looking but I never even saw anyone. I would later find out from airport security that “this happens all too often.” They explained that these thieves often wander around the lot looking for unsuspecting victims and a cold, dark, rainy night (contrary to what I would have thought) was the perfect opportunity.

Fortunately, the only thing of real value in that briefcase was my ticket and to the thief it had no value. I finally gave up and decided to head over to Malaysia Airlines to see what could be done. I was drenched by this point as I had even gotten down on my hands and knees to look under cars. I just was dumbfounded and still am.

Fortunately, Malaysia Airlines worked it all out with Tourism Malaysia and before long I was sitting next to a fellow journalist, Karen Tappenden, and we were ready for the 21 hour trek that lay ahead with a two hour stop over in Stockholm.