My fourth trip to Italy, just concluded, was a family emergency. I broke some RS conventions and the results varied. Note: I'm fit, sort of, and in my 60's.
I packed as light as I could, expecting to drag my case with me. It has gone missing 45% of the time this year.
I showered, and changed into jeans, which I try to avoid when I travel. I wore layers. And a big purse. And a random bag for meds that could be tucked into the suitcase.
Just before I had to make reservations asap, less carefully than I should have, I broke my cell phone.
To save money, I booked a cab from Trip Advisor or Yelp. It was cheap and on time, and during the 20 minute ride I, too, smelled like an ash tray. New rule: explore any 'new' part of travel when it's not an emergency. I am now researching alternate ways to the airport to save about $60 usd per trip. Planes rarely land when it's convenient for friends.
In Heathrow, I asked after my bag. The workmen actually turned around. I was told it was going on to Naples when I found someone. It got lost. So presents to distract my grandchildren from their dad's illness weren't at the ready.
My new, cheapo watch broke. No phone, so I had to replace it. No worries; Timex is everywhere.
I already posted about asking and reasking, in relation to the bus trip between Heathrow and Garwick. Lesson was repeated and learned. On my return trip there had been a trip change and I couldn't check in online with USAirways. I was told NINETEEN different versions of how to get my boarding pass before landing in Munich. NONE was true. I was even assured that there was a USAirways office (btw, office is not the same as counter) in Naples. THERE IS NOT. In Munich, where I learned that the Delta staff and counter miraculously turned into USAirways at 9:15, a LONG wait for me to stand, I was superquestioned. It was so bad and so long that a man tried to video it. He ended up taking the heat, and might have been arrested. It's against some law or rule, I heard USAir people say as they alerted security. I got my boarding passes, and I hope he got out of trouble.
Normal-ish flights; with worse food and more kids in business, I'm considering buying a tens unit and doping myself as an alternative to upscaling.
I asked the information desk where the USAir Lounge was. I've been the pawn in this game before; I'm sent far, far away to one Lounge, which tells me another lounge is right next to my gate after all. That's Munich to me.
I handled my bag appropriately in Philadelphia so that it would get to Columbus. (Now they have fast lanes for customs - just as I'm about to get my $100 government hall pass. Already paid.)
All my flights landed early. I'm not really complaining, oh, why not, that meant that all my waits were longer.
My bag was lost. Someone had picked up the route before the change so it went from Philadelphia to Charlotte. New lesson: Read even the tags on your suitcase.
No worries; I got home. Oh, wait; my furnace is broken....
The other misc. thing I learned this trip is odd. I had forgotten to take off my jewelry. I'm not bragging, but I was overjeweled when I hopped in the shower. I had on everything one is advised against. I also left my pocketbook unzipped (but on my person) on several occasions. I was distracted by family matters the whole trip, and while in Italy I was #1 in vulnerability (Italian groceries and stores like Walmart, gas stations, etc.) I was treated gently and kindly, and I have all of my jewelry. I won't do it if I can avoid it, but I'm a widow and I'm kind of glad that my wedding and engagement rings could make the trip.
As this trip was sort of a disaster, I changed the goal to what could I learn. You win; in addition to the above I'm going to find a light squishy cheap one use carryon (I saw one) and use that.
And I'm going to keep wine in my house in case there another emergency trip......
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13934 posts
Glad you made it back and I hope your son is OK. The whole premise of an emergency international trip is awful to begin with. Thanks for the update.
Hoping you never have to make another emergency trip, but I do have a suggestion. Do a packing list/spreadsheet now. Put down the things you need to do before you leave on a trip so you don't have to think about them and can just check them off, including dejeweling your sweet self and buying that emergency bottle of wine, lol!
Posted by
OP
United States
223 posts
Thanks, Pam. My son in law is much much better (I won't waste time on my thoughts about military hospitals, but if 1967 nursing knowledge is helpful, there's serious trouble.)
I had planned a trip to surprise the grandchildren in two weeks. I think that I will indeed take your advice on the spreadsheet (note: to anyone going to southern Italy in the winter - packing some drying substance or risk mildewing your clothes). As the the dejewelling, I don't quite understand how I forgot, still. I'm grateful to the world for giving me a pass on being dejewelled involuntarily as I packed my own grocery bags (trying to keep that big pocketbook attached to me....) and handled excited grandchildren. Really thankful!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13934 posts
I'm glad he is better! I've never had to make an emergency trip, but have kept notes since I started back with international travel. Every trip I learn something I should do ahead of time and note it down.
Now, I go IN to my Credit Union to give them my travel plans as I found out accidentally a couple of trips ago that I have to do an extra step if I am going to UK as there is some stupid kind of fraud alert for the whole country. Unfortunately many of the young tellers are geographically challenged and do not realize England or Wales or Scotland are part of the UK, so you have to tell them.
This last time I managed to get myself locked out of my online BillPay. I had my various account passwords (encoded with clues) but no, I did not think to take the answers to security questions and altho you think you will remember those, well I didn't. So now that's on my list as well.
Much better to make your reminder lists right after you come back when your trip is fresh.
What would you pack for the humidity and your clothes? It's been years since I lived where humidity was an issue!
Posted by
OP
United States
223 posts
To protect clothes from humid climates, and that 'cheap hotel smell', I have used a net bag of I think volcanic rocks. Hardly any weight. The bag is flattish, and I've not had residue of any kind on clothes, although I always find something like a jean pant leg to house it. Now that I've gone without, it goes on my emergency prepack list. Once at the destination, I'd have it around the clothes. The bag is in plastic until you need it, so it won't go bad.
I haven't seen smaller versions, which would work well. Just stay away from crystals. They create water, and I know that the rocks are inert. The chemicals may be on some no list. The most recent change was the specific addition of aerosol whipping cream as a specific prohibited item. Probably some Kardashian mischief that we all have to pay for. I guess one could still bring along spray Velveeta.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Aerosols of any kind are prohibited in carryon luggage unless they fit in the 3-1-1 bag. That is nothing new.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Sarah, glad it worked out. I laughed with you about the broken furnace: every time I come back from Europe, my car or household appliances mutiny (jealousy, I think). Last time it was the furnace, before that it was the toaster and coffee maker, before that it was the car...