“It is in Rome, Maa’am. They will send it back to you with the first possible flight, Maa’am”. Rome, I thought, that’s not so bad. – Well, it was worse.
That “first possible flight” was four days after my arrival. I called to the airline’s service number every day just to hear that: “It should arrive tomorrow, Maa’am” and then: “It’s not here yet, Maa’am. We will call you soonest it arrives”. I suppose it’s a long way from Rome to Manila, but I could have flown there and back for a few times in four days. Cathay Pacific takes its time when handling lost luggage, I must say.
I was thrilled when I finally saw my wee case. Have you ever had a feeling that you would like to hug your luggage? The moment when I saw it, I almost wanted to give it a kiss or something. I might have jumped a little, so happy I was. I had made a conscious decision to travel light this time. Naturally I did not expect it to be so light for the first days.
I had to go to the airport to pick it up. First, I had to get a Visitor Pass from the airport security counter. It was admitted only against a valid ID, so I gave them my Finnish driving licence. They are concerned that people misuse the pass, therefore a deposit that you certainly want back.
Next I had to wander through the customs to the luggage hall. I ended up to a large storage hall with floor-to-ceiling shelves full of cases. I did not dare to ask if all them were lost on a flight. A non-smiling Filipino man gave me my luggage and the lady in the next room, who represented customs, asked me what’s in the case. “My clothes!” I said like I had won a lottery.
The emotional side of the old rags
When you move abroad, you will feel very “naked” without having anything familiar with you. You have to leave behind all the people you love and care about, your furniture, your home, your car. Even if you would ship some stuff to the new home it will take weeks before the shipment arrives, so you have to survive with whatever you have in your case. And the content is your only connection to something familiar that you can touch and feel.
In the whole new world it gives you little comfort when you can choose an old t-shirt to wear, those old underpants that you took with you just in case, your old but comfortable shoes to walk about to explore your new neighbourhood. You can put the picture of your family or friends on your bedside table in the hotel. Without my luggage, I had nothing.
Shopping is fun?
During the first three days of my new life I spent doing compulsory shopping in a city that I don’t know. I had to buy all the most necessary things that I wasn’t smart enough to stuff into my hand luggage or that did simply not fit in there.
There will be another post to tell you more about that.
Manila's Many Faces 