I approached one of the employees who for a few moments ignored me as I was obviously not likely to buy anything at the store, but I persisted in making eye contact and asked her if she knew a way to get into the rest of the building, because I was looking for the Bulgarian Consulate, which was located at the same address as the Neiman Marcus. She did not know where the Bulgarian Consulate was, but directed me to return to the ground floor via the nearby elevator and go to the left to find the building lobby.
The elevator opened in the cosmetics area of the store. A middle aged woman saw me and her face lit up.
"Wouldn't you like to try this perfume?" she asked me in a slightly accented voice as she held out the perfume she was selling.
"I'm sorry, I'm looking for the Bulgarian Consulate," I replied to her offer.
And suddenly the entire conversation changed. The woman began giving me very clear, precise directions. I was elated! She knew where I could find the Bulgarian Consulate. I was sure of this, since she was giving me directions in Bulgarian. Suddenly I realized that while I was relieved to finally find someone who knew how to help me, I had no idea what she was saying, other than the fact that she gestured with her hands while she spoke. (Ok, she's pointing through those doors, and then indicating that I'll turn left.) She finished speaking and had an expectant look on her face.
"I don't speak Bulgarian yet," I explained, "but I am going there to learn. I need to get my visa."
"Oh, I thought you were Bulgarian!" she laughed and repeated her directions in English. She walked me over to the glass doors and made sure there was someone at the desk in the lobby. As I left Neiman Marcus, I realized that getting lost wasn't such a bad thing. God had given me a reassurance that I was following His leading. I was not in my comfort zone and had no control over the situation, yet He provided not only someone who knew about Bulgaria, but who was Bulgarian and had been to the Bulgarian Embassy to help me find my way!