I flew 5 days after my mortifying experience. Yes, I was worried I would not keep my footing, but I did. I also, did not have a carry-on piece of luggage.
That is where the dilemma begins.
I put everything in the luggage that would be transported by Lufthanza, so I could travel light. One bag arrived in Dusseldorf, one did not. Whose was that you ask? Right, it was mine. I stayed very calm. My brain was in a fog from the flight. I was noon in Germany, but it was three in the morning in Carlsbad–I am not an all night type of person.
I do believe the woman at the lost luggage counter felt sorry for me. So she mentioned that Lufthanza will reimburse up to 1200 Euros if we need to purchase items. My husband kept repeating 1200 Euros? 1200 Euros? I could not understand why he wanted to know. I just wanted to get to my hotel room and sleep, which was about another three hours from that point.
Once, we got to the hotel, my husband only had one thought in mind. He hurried us out the door so we could go shopping and get reimbursed from Lufthanza. HE WANTED TO GO SHOPPING?!
Thanks for the clothes.
He was a man on a mission. He pointed to so many items my foggy brain could not keep up with him. Try this one on. Try that one on? I think you need this. And that. To you, this may not sound strange, but my husband avoids shopping at all costs. Ask my children, before today he would find anything to do other than being in women’s apparel and going through racks of clothes looking for my size. My arms were filled. Finally a woman saw me struggling with the pile of clothes and asked if I wanted a bag. At least that is what I interpreted since she spoke in a very fast German and she handed me a bag.
Trousers for the evening, a jacket for the evening and all that goes with it was what my husband was looking for. Finally, he realized that I needed underwear. We got that and European walking shoes because the only shoes I had were flat with no support whatsoever.
In an average store in small town Germany, it is hard to spend 1200 Euros. We spent a little more than 400, but I am happy I got some clothes.
My bag did arrive the next day. If this is what I get for a lost bag, I may request that they lose it more often. Finally, redemption from the mortification of my last airline experience.