Followand not just 5 cities – five major cities in four countries!
on my way to Spain in March i ran into some trouble. for one, there was a massive overnight snowstorm on the East Coast that waylaid everything. at first, this actually seemed to be a good thing as i underestimated time to clear off my car and drive the snowy roads of Massachusetts. i was terribly relieved to find out my flight was delayed. once i got settled at the airport, however, it became evident it was going to be so delayed that i would miss my connection in NYC direct to Barcelona. (now you see where i’m going with this, right?!)
once in NYC i was told i was being re-routed now through London. GREAT! Heathrow. the roughest security on earth. plus, i brought my €’s not my £’s for the airport. moving on. what about my bag?! i was told some kind of airline mumbo-jumbo term for “we’ll call and tell them you’re changing carriers and to pull your bag”. fingers crossed i ever see that bag again…
what’s this? Lola wasn’t supposed to be over this land mass!!
so off i go from NYC to London. once i land in London and make my to the next security check point (UGH) they won’t let me continue on. WHY? there’s no way i’ll make my next connection. SO…go stand in another airline ticket line. get told there are no more directs on their carrier and you’re switching to another and being routed through Amsterdam!! SERIOUSLY…goodbye luggage.
now faced with extra time at Heathrow and no Pounds to speak of i had to use my credit card. luckily, a while ago i had taken the time to compare credit cards i currently held with others out there and now have one that is accepted worldwide with NO foreign transactions fees. Lola wouldn’t have to go hungry at Heathrow.
i spy wooden shoe key chains & bottle openers. i must be at the Amsterdam airport?!?!
the remainder of the flights were glitch free. i met a nice man on the flight to Amsterdam, made my final leg to Barcelona and arrived there only 8 hours later than anticipated. during this whole debacle i was coming up with a contingency plan for the bag situation. you see, i made a rookie travel mistake and only had the clothes i was wearing with me…no spare set in case of delayed/lost baggage.
cute dress from El Corte Ingles – disaster averted!
well you can be sure, after 3 different carrier changes and flying through all those massive airports that my bag DID NOT arrive with me. CONTINGENCY PLAN springs into action. i had been madly tweeting with Barcelona friends and was tipped off where to go for one-stop shopping. basically, as soon as i claimed my luggage lost i had approximately 2 hours to shop and get ready before heading out for dinner!! i wasn’t about to miss going out on Saturday in Barcelona at a trendy restaurant and cool late night club. Thankfully El Corte Ingles came to my rescue and i could find a cute dress, top for the next day, a pair of sandals for both days & some new underwear pretty efficiently. AND even with my lack of Spanish and the staff’s lack of English, somehow they were able to tell me to go get a discount card so tourists don’t pay the VAT tax. Gracias!
fun top a la El Corte Ingles – gracias!
i still need to claim my purchases with the last carrier so i can be reimbursed! UGH – PAPERWORK. the only thing that makes it all less painful is that i used points from my reward credit card to purchase the flight so it’s not like i’m out TONS of money.
PS – i had a super fun Saturday night out in my new outfit in BARCA & my bag did turn up 24 hours later. it apparently had a great night out in the UK!
Ahhh…the stories you can tell! Thank God it was a youngster like you!!!
Mike
hahaha Mike. that trip nearly killed me.
Wow, I can’t believe you went out the night you arrived! I would have totally been exhausted. Love the top you bought!
thanks Andi. i HAD TO go out!! i asked the W hotel to make all kinds of fancy pants plans for us. i was NOT going to miss it!! 😉
Wow, that’s enough to knock me out for days!
hahaha…guess what, it really did in the end. i got rather sick on my trip half way through the Costa Brava tour and wound up truly spent by the time I got to Miami.
This was an adventure and a half. Glad the El Corte Inglés tip worked.. and that the luggage wasn’t even more delayed!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…Finding paradise in the Maldives
yes, Mrs. O. you were a lifesaver with that tip. thank goodness for you!!
Meeting cool people at a time like this is a nice consolation and helps decompress. I missed my flight coming home from California, but I sat next to the coolest person on the rebooked flight. Made it worthwhile.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Joshua Tree yucca plant along a gravel road
too true Ted. guess what…the nice interesting guy next to me is also named Ted! 😉
we were so stressed out following you on twitter/instagram during this debacle! you’re such a trooper to have gone out–we would have wallowed with wine and room service for SURE.
the lazy travelers recently posted…turning our fijian frowns upside down
i kinda surprised myself with my calm, cool, collectedness. not necessarily the typical me.
Wow – that is one crazy reshuffle of flights! Good thing your bag eventually showed. Can’t believe you made the rookie mistake of no spares in carryon! Who am I kidding – did the same thing the one time my flight got rerouted through Heathrow with the same lost luggage debacle! Swore I would never make that mistake again…but did end up with a cute new set of clothes! Silver lining – cute new outfits! Glad you had no problems hitting the town!
Anita Mac recently posted…Monday Morning Series – Mexican Lanterns
you know what, Anita….i think you’re right. while i hate being forced into finding something, those 2 things i bought and my shoes are some of my favorites now. awesome souvenirs 😉
Oh the joys of traveling, haha. I actually don’t check my bags at all anymore because of this. I have legit separation anxiety when I need to check a bag for obvious reasons. Glad you got it back!!
The World Wanderer recently posted…Music Monday: The Fear.
hahaha. i bring too much stuff to carry on & my liquids would never get through security. i just cannot travel without my essential toiletries.
Wow! What a crazy detour. That must’ve been exhausting!
jill recently posted…Tortilla Making in Nicaragua
i know!! so ridiculous. i think in the future i will just say, “i’ll wait for the next direct flight, thanks!”