COMMENTS

12 responses to “Open Thread Update: Your Travel Follies”

1. Returning from a retreat in Tuscany last summer, I boarded my first flight. We landed at CDG airport (Paris). Two bomb scares drove staff & passengers onto sidewalks. My flight did not leave until next day. A different answer from each airport person, some directly contradicting others. My wheelchair was not available overnight. Gendarmes patrolled with dogs & big guns until midnight. A grad student & a military veteran sat near me all night with coffee & conversation, & I felt safe.

   Reply to dr jeanne powell

2. From NYC we had to fly to Boston for to pick up our cruise. Arrived at LGA in time for our 1-hr flight to Boston but the desk agent denied our free carry-on we paid for, so we had to pay $45 each to check our bags. In Boston an hour later, we found out my husband’s bag never left La Guardia airport! As we hadn’t planned to check our bags, my husband forgot to remove his meds. So we began our cruise without his bag/meds and barely got it delivered to the next port the next day! What a nightmare!

   Reply to Debbie

3. Many mishaps traveling. One that stands out was a trip to Portugal to start Mediterranean cruise. Arrived a day early and walked to restaurant for dinner. Returning to hotel, we got turned around with three females offering their opinions on the direction. Walked around for hours in the dark because no one we approached spoke English. Finally found a couple who spoke English and found we were only a few blocks from our hotel.

   Reply to Lorraine

4. When I was 23 in ‘69 and first job out of college I saved money to visit college friends in London and my brother and family living and working in Tripoli, Libya. I had never flown before but a travel agent booked me in nice hotels and flights for two weeks. London, Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, Rome and Munich were incredible and I loved traveling. I landed in Tripoli, and this was BEFORE Gaddafi.My brother was late and armed men asked me why I was there. Great trip but only 500 char to tell it

   Reply to Nancy Parker

5. We also got lost during our first trip to Spain!
   On a Disney tour with our kids, during the stop in Sevilla, we had time to wander around by ourselves. I felt confident because we had a map. Suddenly in the middle of the afternoon, after we had zigzagged our way throughout the city wandering far from the hotel, we realized there was no one around in the streets and we had no idea where we were! We couldn’t orient ourselves on the map, there was no one around to ask, and no street signs!

   Reply to Joe Pokrifka

6. Every time I go to O’Hare airport in Chicago I get stuck there. Once all flights were cancelled due to the weather. After many phone calls I found the last available hotel room in the area. It happened to be the Presidential suite. Another time we flew all the way to Denver, circled three times, then flew back to Chicago. Another time police put caution tape everywhere and never told us why. They chased after me when I accidentally entered a restricted area. I try to stay out of O’Hare.

   Reply to Virginia Small

7. On a recent trip to Athens I splurged on business class so I wasn’t overly upset about a really long layover at Heathrow in London. My inexperience with business class was revealed when I found the business lounge was closed until early the next morning. So I spent the night in total isolation (did see a mouse or rat and a security guard) awaiting relief.

   Reply to Mary Katherine Reeber

   1. To spend our New Year in sunny Arizona, we left Tennessee and winter clothes behind. Snow flurries when plane left Charlotte, North Carolina turned into a blizzard white-out in Minnesota! Last plane in, our quick layover became an overnight stay. Freezing winds in a lightweight jacket, sliding around on frozen snow in tennis shoes was not fun, nor was no overnight toiletries, medication, etc. Tennessee winning the college football national championship once we got there was totally worth it!

      Reply to Debbie Salyer

8. Two incidents. First one coming back from Southern Africa via JFK Airport in New York with 30 pieces of luggage with our group. My luggage only one not on conveyor belt. Sent to my home in Philadelphia 2 days later. Second incident going to North Africa via London and flight late leaving. When arrived in Casablanca hotel had given our group’s rooms away. Rode around for hours trying to find another hotel. Found one for 3 hrs sleep before leaving for next destination

   Reply to PatO

9. I stayed with a delightful Danish couple. After going to bed, i developed a horrible pain in my side. I tossed & turned for an hour, before I gently knocked on their door. Up immediately, she took my temperature & he drove me to the ER. The doctor diagnosed gallstones & gave me a shot in my bum! I apologized profusely but they reminded me that they had 2 small boys and were often awake at night. 52 years later, we’re still in touch! They’ve visited the US, stayed with me, and remained healthy!!

   Reply to Dorothy Todd

10. Many years ago I shipped clothes via Greyhound. The duffel bag travelled to Florida before it made it to Dallas. At that time, I had never been to Florida, but my clothes went there.

    Reply to Janet

11. I was with a church group on a trip to Rome, Italy. We were leaving a lovely restaurant and it was dark. I heard some rustling in the area near my feet. Next thing I know I felt a sharp pain near my toes as I had sandals on. Lo and behold, I was bit by a rat. Yikes. A trip to an Italian ER and everyone spoke Italian but me. Two shots later and a prescription for more rabies shots for the American doctor I would see when I got back home.

    Reply to Jean Revesz