Our passport has disappeared

Plasencia. Today was not our day. The moment I opened my eyes, I could hear the drumming on the roof of our campervan. It was pouring. Cats and dogs. After our first bathroom break, Emmi, Pipo, and I were soaking wet. The three of us agreed with Icke: Get us out of here!

But the weather didn’t improve. Luckily, our next stop, Casar de Caceres, was only ten kilometers away. That was about it for our luck for today. And then bad luck hit: We searched through the narrow alleys of this little town for an address where we could get a stamp for our passport. After several narrow passages, maneuvering carefully, we finally found the small tourist office. No parking space in sight, so I quickly pulled up with two wheels on the sidewalk, just enough to let a car pass. Now quickly out and get the stamp. Where was the passport again? You must have it! No! You have to have it. Damn! The search began, and it wasn’t long before loud honking started— we had to move.

So I quickly squeezed behind the wheel and drove off. About 500 meters further, we found a free spot. Parked and continued searching. We turned everything inside out, opened all the cabinets, rummaged through all jackets, pants, and bags. We even searched under the rug—without success. Our passport was gone, along with the eleven stamps we had collected with so much effort. We were sooo proud of that little booklet. And now it was gone. Irretrievably lost. Man, that was bitter... I think if it hadn’t been for the situation, we both would have burst into tears.

But none of that helped now. I needed some fresh air, so I made my way to the tourist office, just to take a look. The lady there was super nice. I explained our misfortune to her, showed her photos of our passport with all the stamps. Normally, you have to order the numbered passport “Ruta Via de la Plata,” with name and address. Eventually, the woman handed me a new passport with a smile and even offered to stamp the previous eleven stations as well. But I politely declined because each stamp also notes the location.

Now we have a new passport. And already, there are two stamps in it. Seventeen are still missing. We won’t be discouraged. We know we had eleven stamps. That’s enough for us. Now the collection starts anew. Let’s go!