Why am I not surprised that just happened?

The girls and I decided to be really brave today and venture over to the other side of the island (by ourselves) to spend the day at the zoo.  Daisy and I started our morning off with a nice run, the girls had full tummies and fresh water bottles.  I even figured out how to play music from Hannah's ipod through my car stereo for the first time so we could listen to some familiar music - I just knew it was going to be a great day!

I programmed the closest zoo into my gps (there were a few of them) and started off on our "girls-only" road trip that should have only been about a 20 minute drive.  The girls and I were singing and having a great time when I noticed my gps map directing me into what seemed like a toll station.  Funny, because I was sure Andy told me that there weren't any toll stations on the island, but whatever...

Next I started seeing signs stating that no cameras were allowed.  Passport check.  Armed guards.  Hmmm...  Just about the time I announced to the girls, "for the record, I'm pretty sure this isn't the way to the zoo", I was forced into a line of cars waiting to get through a series of gates.  When it was my turn I rolled down my window and said to the guard, "Hi, is this the way to the zoo?"

"Passport please."

(It's actually not safe to carry your passports on you unless you're traveling out of the country) 

"Oh, dear.  I am so sorry, I don't have our passports with me.  You see, we're just trying to get to the zoo.  Could I just make a u-turn?

"Miss, this is Malaysia.  You need to have proper documentation when you cross the border.  Do you have your passport number?"

"WHAT?!  Did you say MALAYSIA?!  But I don't want to be in Malaysia.  I want to be at the zoo!  And no, I don't know my passport number."

"Do you have any identification?"

I frantically start tearing through my wallet.  It was either my local driver's license or my Costco card so I went with my license - which reminded me that I have an international driver's license!  I knew that $23.00 would pay off someday!  I handed over both licenses and waited.  And waited...

After what seemed like forever I was told we would be escorted to the immigrations office because I wasn't able to produce the proper documentation.  What?  For crying out loud...

Now here is the really unfortunate part of the story.  I was sure the police officer told me to park on the left side of the building.  When I arrived, there was no parking on the left side- only the right!  Oh my gosh!  The rule-follower in me wanted to wait until I saw parking on the left side, but the common sense part of me said to just park the car.  The rule follower in me won and I ended up driving passed the parking lot, and the building altogether and onto the main road.  Oh geez!!  When I looked in my rear view mirror and saw two armed guards running after my car waving their hands for me to pull over, I began wishing I had just a little more common sense in me.  After a mild scolding (during which I really wanted to say, "but you said park on the left" but decided not to), we were escorted into the Malaysian Immigration Office: more police officers, more guns, more questions.

At some point I came to my senses and decided to call Andy.  I nearly came unglued when my phone blocked my call showing me a screen reading: emergency calls only.  What?!  You've got to be kidding me.

Another officer called me to his desk and asked me for the hundredth time, "do you have your passport?"

"No." 

"What is your final destination?"

"Um... the zoo?"

I decided not to even try to explain why my phone wouldn't work and asked if I could use their phone instead.  He said no and told me to go sit down.  So we waited, and waited...  Maggie finally broke the silence with, "Mommy, are we going to jail today?"  Sigh...

"No, honey.  Of course we're not going to jail today."  But in my mind I'm thinking, Oh dear, sweet, heavens.  I think we might be going to jail today...

Thankfully they were able to finally look up my passport number with the identification that I did have with me.  We were escorted back to the border and and actually did make it to the zoo.

Who knew the closest zoo to our house was in another country?

Needless to say, I am drinking a heaping glass of wine on our balcony right now as I write this.  :)