Everything was going swimmingly. Naomi left me to lie in till 6:40 this morning. We enjoyed a slow pace and went out to the fabric market to pick up some extra material for one of my friends then arrived at the mall just after it was open - and, therefore, nice and quiet. Naomi and I did the bits of shopping we needed and we headed back to the car with plenty of time stretching out before us before we had to go up to school for R and J.
And that's where it all went pear shaped.
I could not find my parking ticket. I knew I had put it in one of the outer pockets of my bag but it was not there. I emptied the bag. I searched the car. No joy. I haven't lost one before. I knew you had to pay a 150 peso fine (not very much, considering) but wasn't sure what else was going to unfold. So I pull up to the guard at the exit and explain I've lost my ticket. She wants my car registration document which I do not have. I do have my driving license but she wants 2 ID documents. In the end I have to park the car by this guard, go back into the mall, across to the other side, down to basement 2, in the security office, explain again what has happened, explain again that I do not have any documentation other than my driving license, produce said license, agree to pay fine (would have done that half an hour ago!), go back to car with representative of security office, pay cashier the fine, agree not to lose a parking ticket ever again, finally get to leave.
It was one of those situations where - if you can be detached - you are glad they take it seriously but you wish they weren't when it involves you : )
Another fine mess I got myself into!
1 comment:
Oh dear! What a fear of authority and legalistic twaddle. These petty officers think they can do so much and we always end up paying!
Post a Comment