1. Lost Bag: A Mall Experience I’ll Never Forget
This day will live in my mind rent-free for the rest of my life.
One night in Murmansk, my husband and I were strolling through the city when we stepped into a mall to buy a jacket. It was extremely cold, and we needed something much warmer. Malls in Murmansk usually close by 8 PM. While shopping, I unknowingly left my sling bag in one of the stores and walked out without realizing it.
Barely five minutes had passed when it hit me—and by then, it was already 8 PM. I rushed back to the store immediately, only to find it closed. Panic set in. All our passports, money, and important documents were inside that bag.
We didn’t know what to do. We tried to reach the security staff, but unfortunately, they didn’t understand a word we were saying. To make matters worse, the network was extremely poor—there was no internet access, not even for translation.
Just when we were losing hope, a lady from a nearby store, who was also about to close for the night, noticed us. We approached her, and thankfully, she spoke a little English. We managed to explain the situation. She immediately called security and explained everything to them. Initially, they said the store owner might not return until the next morning, but we explained that we were leaving the city and had no choice but to retrieve the bag that night.
The lady went above and beyond—she got the store owner’s contact, reached out to her, and soon after, a boy was sent with the keys to open the store. The entire process took nearly three hours. We waited patiently—my husband, the security staff, that kind lady, and I—until the boy finally arrived and opened the store.
When we retrieved the bag, the relief was indescribable. We thanked everyone profusely for their kindness and support. Despite the language barrier, they were incredibly understanding, compassionate, and willing to help.
It was truly a night to remember—a beautiful reminder that humanity speaks louder than words. I will forever appreciate the people and that unforgettable experience. And one thing is certain: I will never put my bag down casually again.