Travel Mishaps 3 is The Magic Number
The saying that things happen in threes usually proves true. The trip to Central Europe was no different. The three travel mishaps that occurred were unavoidable. I’m not sure things would have gone smoother if I had booked with Costco Travel or had travelers’ insurance.
Here’s what happened: I forgot my most crucial medication at home. Two, my wife left her new prescription glasses on the console of the rental car. Third, we encountered a belligerent carry-on bag that refused to zip at the end of the trip.
Avoiding Travel Mishaps
How could these nuisances have been avoided?
In addition, Booking with something other than Costco Travel or traveler insurance might have helped. No, not really. Moreover, travel mishaps happen when traveling. We had left home, forgetting one of my medications. I spoke to the Concierge at our hotel in Prague. I needed help replacing my meds.
The Concierge contacted a local Doctor to write a prescription. The doctor sent the prescription to the hotel for seventy-five US dollars. Problem solved. See the post below. Additionally, making and following a checklist can help avoid Travel mishaps.
Travel Mishap 1 Getting a Prescription
A pharmacist near the hotel filled out the prescription for five USD dollars. Fortunately, a pharmacy was around the block near the hotel in Prague. I practiced what I preached, bought the Concierge a gift, and wrapped it. The Concierge went above and beyond.
Meanwhile, keeping up with your belongings takes a lot of work in holiday mode, and this trip was no different.
Travel Mishap 2-Leaving Prescription Glasses in a Rental Car
Moreover, in Venice, I rented a car because taxis were costly. There is no Uber or Lyft in Italy. It is easy to get comfortable and forget items in a rental car. My Wife did that, leaving her new prescription glasses in the car’s center console- something she would do in her car at home. Lastly, it was not until we were about to board the train to Milan that she realized her loss. It was a panic. We nearly missed the train.
I promised her I would do anything to get the glasses back. Yes, there are unforeseeable travel mishaps. Whereas it is how we deal with them that makes the difference. Moreover, once I arrived in Milan, I tried calling the rental car company. The corporate office at Marco Polo Airport would not give me the office’s phone number. You would think I was asking for information about a government-sponsored top-secret black site. I did my best and made a lost and found report. Again, someone called a month later and said they did not find the glasses.
Does Customer Service Still Exist?
See the link below. I wish I knew about this company.
https://www.overnightglasses.com/
Customer service needs to improve in every aspect, not just in Italy. We can blame it on COVID-19- that’s convenient. The I do not care attitude is prevalent. Combine that with a heated issue, and you have a recipe for a letter to management. Now, when you find someone in a position to be helpful, they shine. Few are the folks who will go the extra mile to resolve a service issue.
When you experience this excellent kind of attitude, praise is in order. Giving a small gift or gratuity is not a bad idea either. A different type of letter must be written to management, which will be a favorable commentary for performance evaluation time.
Failed Attempt
An email was received from the rental car company. When we were home for a couple of weeks, the email said sorry, they could not find the glasses. Thinking this would be the case. In Milan, with three days left on the trip, we called our local Optometrist and placed an order to replace the three-month-old pair of glasses. My Wife had her prescription sunglasses and used them during the day for the rest of the trip. Fortunately, the day after we arrived home, we received a call. The new glasses were ready for pickup.
Murphy did not stop there. Finally.
Dealing With a Cranky Bag, The Finale Hiccup
On the final day of our trip, we encountered the third and last mishap. My Wife’s bag refused to open or close in Milan despite our persistent attempts. However, I was determined to make it work and convinced the cranky bag to cooperate. I explained to this tired old suitcase that this was her final trip. The pleading was heard, and we had final closure after an hour. I think the conversation about retirement sold her. I explained that she would never be overstuffed again. It is sad when you need to put an old friend down.
Feeling a lot of Gratitude
In hindsight, I can joke about things that went wrong. Unfortunately, when mishaps happen, they are not so fun. When these things happened, I took a breath—putting the event in perspective. It was necessary to move on, not ignore the potential impact the issue may have caused. Moreover, I do not allow the general gut punch to knock me out. I am losing that round only. I’m not sure if this boxing analogy puts these mishaps into perspective. Perhaps the old analogy of losing a battle but not the war is more fitting.
Fighting Life’s Battles
We must have the strength and energy to fight the good fight. I’m not getting too philosophical here. Usually, things go wrong when you are exhausted. This is a law of nature. Hopefully, it’s not an event that pushes you over the edge. Let’s use the example of the bag not closing at the end of the trip. This will illustrate my point.
You are spent. All you can think about is getting home and sleeping in your bed. Being honest with yourself, you know that is 24 hours of traveling away. The last thing you need to do before bed is close your suitcase. It is close to midnight, and any possibility of getting a new bag is a pipe dream. This is when failure is not an option.
Not Giving in to Tiredness Avoiding Travel Mishaps
The battle is you versus the bag. Yes, it is a not-so-smart-in-admit object. Who is going to win? After all, you are not going to let a bag beat you. Cool heads prevail, and you get the bag closed.Exhale.The sad thing is while you are in your little bed, there is this nagging thought. What will happen if I must open the bag for customs or a million other scenarios?
Meanwhile, I am trying to get some sleep. Knowing there is an early morning cab to the train station to catch. This is how it was.
“Being Positive – All’s Well That Ends Well.”
Numerous things went exceptionally well; I’m tremendously grateful for this life experience. Nothing in the world can make me trade it for anything. I hope sharing my story with you will inspire and encourage you to embark on your adventure with confidence and determination.
http://floridacruiseextension.com
Wishing You Peace as You Travel
