Retrieving Our Lost Knapsack on a Public Bus in Krakow, Poland

We were all up for breakfast before  9:30am for our second day in Krakow.

After breakfast, we planned to visit the Salt Mine by taking the public bus. J. was very good at finding out the location of the bus stops and schedules etc. Travelling with J has been great!  He helps us getting around with much ease as he uses technology efficiently to find out about everything.

We were proud of ourselves for getting to the Salt Mine ourselves. However, as soon as we alighted from the 304 bus, J. realized that he left his backpack there. He was panicky and didn't know what to do as we knew no Polish and we didn't know anyone in Poland.

What should we do? Report to the police? Call the bus company to let them know and ask them to look for it and keep the bag for us when they find it? Where was the police? How to reach the bus company? We were not sure what to do. A middle age woman was sitting on a bench waiting for her bus. Not knowing a word of English but sensing that we were having a problem, she came up to help us. Using body language, we were able to make her understand that we left a knapsack on the bus. Responding also in body language, she was  able to direct us to the bus information booth a few streets down.

The gentleman at the info booth  spoke some English and told us to go onto the other side of the street and wait for the 304 bus coming back. We did what he told us but not sure if someone might have taken our bag. While J. was waiting for the bus coming back, I went to ask a young man working at the parking lot. He did speak English and called the bus company for us. But the phone rang for a long time with no one picking it up. I was feeling anxious and kept praying that this day would not be a disastrous day.

After about 20 minutes, the 304 bus was coming into sight. I recognized the bus driver. As the bus stopped, J. took a look from the window and saw his bag still sitting at its original spot. We were so happy and thankful that he got his knapsack back!

We appreciated the Polish people's kindness of trying to help us in times of need. We were grateful for their honesty of not taking J's backpack after we got off the bus.

We praise God for answering my prayers!

R.T.
Krakow, Poland