Optimism

Greetings to All!
To those who have call, e-mailed, and sent messages expressing concern, assistance, support, and love. I thank you and cannot do so enough. For those who are unaware of my current circumstances I will provide a brief synopsis:
Approximately two hours prior to boarding my plane to Ecuador in Miami, a black camara case that was also serving as passport, money, and ID holder was stolen from possession while I went to the restroom. I discovered it missing upon preparing for departure. I immediately reported this incident and spent the next two hours canvassing all lost and found services...despite that I knew it was stolen I think I was holding unto to some hope that it was by some chance turned in. I then reported it stolen to American Airlines. I had to be re-routed back to Chicago as Chicago is the site of the nearest Visa/Passport processing agency and also the nearest site of an Ecuadorian consulate. Although Washington DC is another site for such services, I knew of no one with whom I could stay while there. I flew into Chicage around 9:15 PM Tuesday evening at which point I discovered my luggage was mistakenly sent to the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. I reported this and was informed that it would arrive at the residence at which I would be staying within 24 hours. I did and have not yet received my luggage. Upon calling American Airlines, I was informed that my luggage had not yet left the Twin Cities airport and will hopefully be delivered tomorrow, Thursday. My good friend Suzanne, an elementary music teacher who lives outside of Chicago picked me up at the airport and I have been staying with her since that time. Tomorrow, I will leave Suzanne's and will stay with other family friends who live directly in downtown Chicago. Today was spent calling and e-mailing my program coordinators, study abroad offices, visa/passport agencies, travel agencies, and airports. I am okay, really I am hanging in there and trying to keep my spirits as positive as possible. I, truthfully have never felt more vulnerable, lost, uncertain, and disheartened BUT like I said I am fine and remaining as composed and patient as possible.
I am still going to Ecuador, I have faith in this.
Once again, thank you to all of you, I love you and will continue to keep my blog updated as it was created for my travels and it will remain that way--they have not ended in Chicago!
Alexandra