Hi everybody!

It was so hectic before I left for Europe that I never had a chance to say goodbye. I left Thursday for Spain, to bring my teenage son to Santander where he will attend a Spanish immersion course. After Spain I'm supposed to go to Italy for my own Italian immersion course.

We arrived Barcelona on Friday AM, where unfortunately an illegal baggage handler's strike had started that same morning. We were able after a while to deplane and get our luggage but later that day the airport had to close.
We had to go back today, Saturday, to fly to Bilbao. The airport was a scene out of Dante's inferno! I can't even describe it. The bottom line was that after many hours and delays our flight was finally canceled. We spent a total of 14 hours in the airport in the middle of what I would describe as mob conditions in order to be rebooked to a flight tomorrow. Since the new flight is to Santander, it's anybody's guess if and when they'll reroute our baggages there. I had packed a couple of things in my carryon but these won't last long!

Sorry for venting but it was a frustrating and at times scary day. I hope that next time I can post I'll have better news to report :) !

Bye for now!

How awful for you....on a positive note, you will be telling this story for years to come. Come home safely!

Maria, SO sorry to hear of your unpleasant adventures! I hate the way these strikes pop up in Europe with no notice. Just nothing you can do but roll with it. Or since you are bi-lingual, get on the phone at the hotel and forget standing in all those lines!

Maria, I have my fingers crossed for you! Let us know that you made it safely when you get to where you are going and are settled in.

Maria,

So sorry to hear about your "misadventure" Reminds me of when we landed in Rome in the middle of a country-wide black out. NO FUN. Please keep us up to date. We are all hoping the trip will become more fun as the flights get straightend out. About the only thing you can do is just try to make the best of it!

Maria,

I am so sorry to hear of your awful predicament. I know how much you had looked forward to this trip. This is very distressing for you and your family.

I hope that there is a resolution in sight for you very quickly. Please take care and let us know how it's going. May the rest of your trip be uneventful and greatly enjoyable.

Maria - hope things turn around for you soon!

Masaki

Good luck.

I'm so sorry your trip has been spoiled by the strike. It reminded me that last summer there was a strike at the Barcelona port. We had cancelled the cruise because of a family wedding, but friends of ours were still on it. People who were on Crystal's Serenity got "stuck" on board for two extra days while people flying into Barcelona had two days in hotels gratis from Crystal (plus lots of freebies once they finally got on the ship). Are strikes there a "normal" procedure. We will be there in September! Judith

Maria - that sounds awful. I hope the next flight gets you there on time and with your baggage. WE've got our fingers crossed!

Cheers, Anne

Safe (and speedy??) trip home Maria - Joanna

Thanks for the good thoughts.

I´m so glad at last to be out of Barcelona!After new delays at the airport we arrived at Santander but sans lugagge( not a surprise!). Filed a claim but who knows . I´m just staying here through Thursday.

So I´ll be going out now to do some shopping and if my suitcase is not here later I think I´ll take a ride to the airport and see if there are any news. The concept of being able to get information over the phone hasn´t arrived to Spain!
Bye!

Hi Maria, So glad to hear that you made it out of Barcelona. Maybe your luggage will arrive soon. At least you will be in Italy soon. Have a good time, enjoy Spain with your son. Keep us posted on what fun things you do and see.

Just a quick update...

My lugagge finally showed up late Monday night <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> !!!

So now I feel I can really start my vaction! Yesterday I went on an excursion to the beautiful Picos de Europa , the mountain range in Northern Spain .

Tomorrow I´m leaving to Burgos , which is midway between Santander and Madrid. But no airport this time, which is a relief!!

Talk later!

Maria, congrats on getting your luggage! I hope the rest of your trip goes a little smoother :)

Have a wonderful vacation, Maria. Good to hear that your luggage arrived.

Great news about the luggage! We went hiking in the Picos de Europa a couple years ago and just loved it.