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Post by geordy on Dec 11, 2010 10:14:39 GMT -5
A friend of a friend was just in Paris staying at a colleague's apartment in the 6th. Not sure of the details..but I don't think it is used as a tourist rental..they just offered it as they would not be in town.
The couple's luggage did not make it with them..hers arrived two days afterwards, his 4 days...the thing was they had to wait at the apt. both days for it to be delivered..unlike a hotel where of course it could just be left and stored with the desk.
Anyone experience this?? Thoughts?
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Post by Anne on Dec 11, 2010 10:45:14 GMT -5
Well, there isn't any such problem in buildings which have a concierge, but there are less and less of those in Paris. An option would be to try and find a friendly café next door and arrange for the luggage to be delivered there. A less safe option than the concierge though. But anything is better than being struck at home in Paris waiting for the luggage  . |
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Post by geordy on Dec 11, 2010 11:27:14 GMT -5
No, no on site concierge..apparently they just had the colleague's numbers for other sorts of emergencies...but no one to sit and wait for luggage! And they were delayed arriving because of the snow, had all the weather and I haven't heard the return story yet but I doubt given weather conditions it would have been good. And..they are from So. California and in their 70's..he not too spry. She was "forced" to purchase a $200.00 cashmere sweater somewhere in the 6th to get by. Also hadn't been to Paris in like 30 years and speak little French..... I was seated next to her at a dinner when she was visiting last summer purposely to discuss Paris....told her not to worry..just bring layers.....   ..oh well... Something else to find out ahead of time if renting/staying at an apt. I guess.... |
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Post by Jody on Dec 11, 2010 11:37:35 GMT -5
I hope they took turns waiting!
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Post by suzanne on Dec 11, 2010 12:06:15 GMT -5
We had a similar experience some years ago. We sat there for two days waiting and then started taking turns going out. We were without luggage for 5 days. It totaly changed my way of packing for future trips.
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Post by PariS on Dec 11, 2010 12:19:29 GMT -5
Oh, poor people! Sounds like it might have been a miserable trip for them. Do you know how long they stayed? Maybe long enough for Paris to redeem itself?!  |
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Post by denise on Dec 12, 2010 5:23:04 GMT -5
:)Take hand luggage only is my motto.
Same thing happened to me a few years ago, when my luggage went to Munich!.(why is it always Munich!).. and it also revolutionised my packing. It is amazing how few things you can manage with, when you are restricted to a small suitcase.
Wear things twice and use the local laundry facilities!
The only recent exception was when I went for a month last May. I took a full sized suitcase but ensured I could survive with what was in my hand luggage.
I think I would negotiate for the luggage to be delivered to a local post office, office or business if I could. Of course I would offer a fee, but it would be worth it to be able to go out and enjoy my holiday.
I love that "FORCED" to buy a 200 dollar cashmere sweater....of course.what else would he wear to keep warm!
Denise
Love from England
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Post by geordy on Dec 12, 2010 8:55:25 GMT -5
I'll get the scoop on the rest of the trip tomorrow when I speak to my friend. She did say that her friend was in good spirits..a glass is half full type always...and I think they've known each other since school!  That sort of disposition helps when traveling...esp. these days! |
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Post by Anne on Dec 12, 2010 10:18:21 GMT -5
My problem with travelling carry-on only is this stupid rule about liquids. Any liquid or gel or aerosol container in hand luggage must be 100 milliters max AND all the containers must fit into 1 one-liter bag. I cannot do this, unless I leave for a very few days and therefore can use some pharmacy small gift samples. For longer trips, I need to put my sponge bag into my check-in luggage because it is too big. Before this rule was enforced, I used to travel with my sponge bag plus one or two days worth of underwear in a carry-on bag in case the checked-in luggage would be lost. That way I also didn't have to worry about some content of the bag spilling out into the big suitcase.
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Post by Shoesy on Dec 12, 2010 10:29:35 GMT -5
My motto has not changed: Stay in a hotel !!!
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Post by geordy on Dec 12, 2010 10:39:11 GMT -5
Anne...ditto..I did the same! The liquid thing has totally changed my packing which I had had down to a science!
Even if I was able to do it going. ::)which as you say would be a pain!(I probably bring too many toiletries for a 7 or 8 night stay but I like having it!!!)....I would have to check going back anything liquid that I would most likely buy! (grocery items, facial products, etc.)
And Shoesy...anything less than 2 weeks in one spot ..I'm in a hotel!
And two weeks in one spot is a distant dream..barring a Lottery win and then of course all the "rules" change!!!!!!!!! ;D
Sharing the suitcases....half of each's stuff in each..is a good tip if you are traveling with someone(not me usually until I get there!) but in this case both went missing and even if they'd had one would still have to wait for the other.
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Post by mez on Dec 12, 2010 17:39:39 GMT -5
Sharing the suitcases....half of each's stuff in each..is a good tip if you are traveling with someone(not me usually until I get there!) but in this case both went missing and even if they'd had one would still have to wait for the other. Don't do what my Mother did once - split her items across 2 cases but in such a haphazard fashion, she did not have many complete outfits. Intead she was stuck with mis-matching separates for the first couple of days. ;D I would love to do carry on, but from here it's hard to do. Some carriers only give you 7kgs - and they will weigh it. Apart from that, the liquids and "weapons" need to be packed. My weapons include tweezers and the small pair of scissors in my first aid kit. |
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Post by denise on Dec 13, 2010 16:16:49 GMT -5
My problem with travelling carry-on only is this stupid rule about liquids. Any liquid or gel or aerosol container in hand luggage must be 100 milliters max AND all the containers must fit into 1 one-liter bag. I cannot do this. Anne, the mind boggles at what lotions and potions you HAVE to take! LOL! ....but it DOES explain the secret of your beautiful skin! Denise Love from England. |
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Post by sistereurope on Dec 13, 2010 21:38:42 GMT -5
HA! I had to buy a bigger suitcase to hold all my contraband, let alone my "products!" I could never go to Europe with a carry on... ;D
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Post by lepetitchat on Dec 16, 2010 12:22:01 GMT -5
I'm considering half the fun stopping at a pharmacie when I land to buy my toiletries, but maybe I'm just weird that way  Also, I keep my morning routine as simple as possible, so doing so won't break the bank other than possibly needing to buy new foundation; if that's the case I'll be retracting this post! |
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Post by framboiseetrose on Dec 16, 2010 18:25:31 GMT -5
We fly non-stop only. Tried changing planes and it was miserable for both of us. I do need my check-in luggage as we stay about 2 weeks at a time and I carry home lots of things for my kitchen shelf, my bathroom shelf and of course, the chocolates for us and the children!!! My carry-on bag takes care of meds and the macarons ! On one of our trips, our suitcases did not come. We had to wait a couple of hours for our luggage - it was one of those "greve" periods. Some of the passengers were screaming at the Air France people - "how can you lose luggage on a non-stop flight?" What happened is that a whole wagonful was left on the tarmac and it took a while to find it - we were very late and there was so much traffic, our taxi fair came to about 75 euros! We missed lunch and were miserable! Another time - a very long time ago, our luggage did not make it. We transferred from Los Angeles and sent our bags to Frankfurt. Lucky because the friend who picked us p had a BMW sedan and with 6 of us in the car, did not have room for the bags. It was promptly delivered the next morning at the apartment. I guess it is all part of the fun of travelling!!! |
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Post by geordy on Dec 16, 2010 21:42:31 GMT -5
An update..the couple did not run into weather related delays on the way home but it still took 22 hrs! Changing flights in Chicago and American Airlines...need I say more!!!
But...as I said she is an optimist..and can't wait to go back and stay in the same area , 6th, now that she is familiar with the area!
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..oh well...
Also, I keep my morning routine as simple as possible, so doing so won't break the bank other than possibly needing to buy new foundation; if that's the case I'll be retracting this post!
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha