We began our journey back home by flying into London Heathrow - you'll recall, we had a 12 hour layover and had to campout in the airport by check-in and security. That was different than any airport we've ever been in. We're used to being able to stay near the terminal where we'd be leaving from. In London, they don't allow that. You must leave the air-side and hang out on the land-side (they shoo everyone out by 10:30 and then allow everyone back in starting at 4:30). We had found a quiet nook to rest in when, somewhere around 2-3 am, we got a notification that our luggage was ready for pick-up there in Heathrow. This was perplexing and alarming since it was supposed to just hop airlines along with us (kinda like how things worked on the way over there), without us having to worry about it at all. Also, their baggage claim is in a secure part of the airport, unlike the ones here in the US. There wasn't much we could do about it until employees started arriving an hour or so later though. We did manage to get info from one of the security guards that there is a "baggage enquiry" office on the 1st floor so we headed that direction. Baggage Enquiry is ONE single, solitary phone where you press 1 to speak to someone about your luggage woes. We waited in a line for an hour and half and learned that everyone there was because of one airline...the same one we were having issues with. Oy! We finally were able to talk with someone, after being hung up on a couple times (they claim it was connection issues) and were informed that our transfer airline would be able to go get our baggage and put it on our connection flight in a few hours. It was too much of a security risk to allow someone to escort us to go pick it up and escort us back out of there. *sigh*
While standing in line, we learned just how fortunate we had been to not have any cancelled flights and we also learned that the airline that was causing all these issues was supposed to have booked us a hotel, because our layover was so long. Hmmm...oh well, we like adventures haha Counting our many blessings over here anyway!
We managed to make our way back up to the check-in and talked with a really nice lady at American Airlines and she worked some magic on her computer and said that our luggage would make it home with us, not to worry! We got checked in and made it through security and off to our terminal gate and followed up with someone they refer to as "Socks" (yes, we asked Socks about our socks and other belongings) and as he was chatting with their baggage agents, they said that the first airlines weren't releasing our luggage and that it most likely wouldn't make it on the flight. Frustrating!!! We were given complimentary "early boarding" for our troubles and were able to just get to our seats so we could just try to relax. Once in our seats, ALLL the emotions came to the surface for me. I just wanted to be home, but I didn't want to leave this beautiful place and its wonderful people. Our luggage was "missing" but at least we were going to be state-side and not having airline issues that so many others have had. We just had the most grand adventure and saw the most amazing sights (with the exception of one from the day before haha), and here I was a blubbering mess - which made me cry harder haha, I'm such a weirdo!
We were soon up in the air and I was so excited because I had a window seat and could see the ocean and have a bird's eye-view of Ireland.
There was some serious cloud cover! I managed to get pictures of the coastline though.
We made it to Dallas and through customs and our customs agent was very understanding and pointed us in the right direction and told us who to talk to about our luggage. He cracked a few jokes and made us laugh too, so that was a nice distraction. We talked to a couple people there in Dallas and were told that our luggage was in transit (this could mean they've located it and prepped it for flight in London, it might be flying here now, or it could be somewhere in the airport and just hasn't been checked into the system yet) and then another person when we made it to Denver and were told our luggage would be delivered to our home once it had landed in Denver, but that it was still in London at that moment.
We made it home and were immediately mobbed by our sweet Littles - oh how I missed them!! We let them see the few small things that had been in our carry-on bags but told them the rest of the trinkets would have to wait until our luggage made it home. Sleeping in our own bed was AMAZING and I didn't have any troubles adjusting back to our time zone haha!
The next evening, we got an email that our luggage would be delivered anywhere from 11 pm to 2 am, but if its too late, they may push it to the following day (what's too late, if 2 am isn't?!). Just before 2 am, someone rolled into our driveway and...*drumroll and trumpets sounding* OUR LUGGAGE IS HOME!
It was like Christmas morning when my Littles got up and saw them sitting there by the front door! Haha We handed out fun things to the kids, let them try candies, and showed them some fun games we brought home. It was such a good feeling to have that stress relieved!
One thing I was going to post before but kept forgetting to - the FOOD! Every morning for breakfast this was what was offered (traditional Scottish breakfast)
And every meal was stick-to-you-ribs food too, and the servings weren't small! Chris and I felt so bloated by the time we were done there, but it was still oh so worth it! I can't wait for the next adventure we have 💖
No comments:
Post a Comment