Surviving Lost Luggage in Paris Means a Chance to Shop
Bonjour,
Thanks for allowing me to whine and write out my frustration over my lost luggage. My son called it a “first-world problem” (so true, given the crazies that are happening everywhere) and Bernie’s comment was, “Linda, it’s not like your house burned down.” Yes, both are correct, but I as Woman needed a day to be upset, cry, stew, fret and process everything I lost (which hour by hour as I reach for things which aren’t there), I realize the extent of the replacement costs. If you know me at all, you know that flexibility is not my middle name, but in this case, I have no choice. Thanks for all the supportive comments and shared experiences. The fact is that I’ve been SO lucky in these years of travel to Paris; this is the first time, I’ve lost a bag. I suppose it was just my time. But I go down kicking and screaming…ha!
I spent all morning yesterday on the phone with Air France who couldn’t have been nicer but have no idea where my bag is. They have no track on it. They suggested I call SAS who couldn’t have been any less accommodating. Laurie is working the problem for me on the Norwegian side since she is fluent in the language. Hopefully, that will produce some results. At any rate, I think it will be days, if not weeks before anything materializes. My best guess is that it will show up at my door in Huntsville, so I hope neighbors will be on the lookout and take it inside one of their air-conditioned homes. In the meantime, I have to move forward.
The rest of the day we spent money on necessities and clothing. I lost some special jewelry and other items which are irreplaceable like our very well-stocked First Aid and emergency medicine kit. You might be asking yourself why I didn’t put all of that in my carry-on. Well, the answer is that Bernie used it for all of his things. I had the checked bag. He had no room for any of the other items so there you have it! I will rethink that plan in the future.
The hot weather is always a topic in Paris since we have no air conditioning. The only cool places are inside the meat market at the Monoprix or a short respite inside the gorgeous St. Paul church right next door. 
We did go out for dinner and captured some great street scenes. You can pick your favorite.
Monday is usually a little quieter day in Paris since many shops are closed, but this is changing little by little. Hopefully, we’ll have some rain and cooler temps.
Have a great start to your week,
L & B
July 2, 2018 @ 7:36 am
I will forgive anything if you tell me how to make the melon gazpacho!
Glad to see humour returning!
July 2, 2018 @ 12:35 pm
I wish I knew how to make the melon gazpacho. It was two melons: cantaloupe and honey dew and the sorbet was also cantaloupe. Both were yummy and refreshing on a hot evening.
July 2, 2018 @ 9:36 am
Dear Linda
I am so very sorry about your lost luggage. It must be exceedingly frustrating. I hope you can claim for it on your travel insurance.
I try to put medicine and important jewellery in my hand bag when I travel..just in case. Enjoy your shopping and see you both soon x
July 2, 2018 @ 12:41 pm
I try to keep a small shoulder bag on my person, but may rethink that also and go with something much larger. This was not prescribed medicine, just our emergency kit that we have used for years with things for pain, nausea, diarrhea and some general antibiotics which our doctor is willing to give us, just in case. Also, things for headaches, sprains, arthritis, etc. It’s been such a handy case with all kinds of bandaids, ace bandages, antibiotic creams, etc. all of which we have used from time to time. Also my digital thermometer. Just hate to lose something that we’ve worked hard to accumulate. I had just updated everything and thrown out expired dates. Oh, well.
July 2, 2018 @ 9:47 am
Linda , I truly hope your luggage finds you soon , but in the meantime it’s a perfect excuse to go shopping!!!!!! Oh la la !!! Have a wonderful time Linda and Bernie ,merci for sharing paris and your travels with us always look forward to reading your blog and article also love love the photos the church is absolutely gorgeous!!! Have a great week you two .
July 2, 2018 @ 12:42 pm
Merci for your kind thoughts and encouragement.
July 2, 2018 @ 12:16 pm
Linda,
I’m so sorry for your travel whoas. I have never lost a travel bag…..yet! At least you can blame it on Bernie, hahaha. Your street scenes are always interesting. However I’m intrigued by the melon gazpacho. I know I would enjoy that. Throw caution to the wind, and enjoy your shopping.
July 2, 2018 @ 12:43 pm
The travel woes continue as Laura was unable to make contact.
July 2, 2018 @ 1:18 pm
Linda, last year I went to Paris with my daughter and granddaughter; my luggage didn’t arrive. I had left from Atlanta and had a 3 hour layover from Huntsville. Got to Paris, no luggage; left Paris a week later, arrived in Atlanta and had a long layover; got to Huntsville, no luggage. Never fly Delta! Terrible customer service!
July 2, 2018 @ 1:30 pm
Oh, my word! Your horror story certainly tops mine. Just heard from SAS that they have found my bag and supposedly leaving Copenhagen today and arriving at Charles deGaulle. Now if we can just connect! I’ve spent a fortune on things I had to have but that’s okay. It may yet take a day or two to link up.
July 2, 2018 @ 6:38 pm
You can buy your lost luggage at Unclaimed Baggage Center here at home when you return to the States 😉
July 2, 2018 @ 7:00 pm
What a jokester you are!!!
July 2, 2018 @ 10:30 pm
As you walk down the street, do you think you can pick out fellow American’s?
July 3, 2018 @ 3:59 am
Generally, yes. Several factors which are somewhat stereotypical: dress, weight, style of clothing and shoes. Americans speak much louder and are more forward in their conversations than the French but so also are the Germans, Spaniards and Italians. Then there are the more obvious signs like carrying a map and speaking English..ha! I would say there are far more Asian tourists here than American.