July 26: Flash Fiction Challenge – Stranded Suitcase
July 26, 2018, prompt. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about what happens next to a stranded suitcase.
I have quite a few stories about losing suitcases during the days when I checked in my luggage. None of them got lost nor sent around the world before returned. I had one suitcase returned four hours after arriving at the hotel; another one came back the next day. Ever since my husband and I travel light, we marvel at the people who seem to pack everything except the pots and pans.
A friend who went to Asia as a seminar speaker for five days. She lost the suitcase with the clothes needed for presentations. One presentation was a few hours after her arrival. The airline compensated her with cash. But what fun was that to go shopping under pressure and exhaustion from the long flight?
She was fine with her seminar. The suitcase never showed up.
Stranded Suitcase
“The passengers picked up their suitcases. The one went around in the carousel is not mine.”
“The dark green color and the size look like yours.”
“Mine has a red and green stripe.”
“Let’s go to the customer services.”
~
“I couldn’t find my suitcase. This one has men’s clothes.”
“Let me check… Have a seat.”
“I need things when we get to the hotel.”
“Excuse me, Madam. A passenger has mistaken your suitcase as his. He lives two hours away and is driving home. We’ll exchange them and deliver to your hotel.”
“Oh, well… at least it’s found.”
~
The Showers of Blessings 
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Thank you, Charli.
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Your story is every traveler’s worst nightmare — look-alike luggage and finding the one that looks like yours but isn’t.
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Yes, now I understand why people put a colorful strap or big ribbon around the suitcase.
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Brilliant Miriam. I agree with you on travelling light. Lessons learned for me too!
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Exactly, Brigid. It makes me stressful to lose luggage!
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It is funny to remember and to read about but at the time you get quite tired and frustrated.
My best was when a Rolls Royce turned up with only my old case in it. Grin.
Nowadays it doesn’t happen so often as there is such strict control on luggage versus passenger for security.
miriam
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I haven’t checked in luggage for years. I’ll have to find out in our next trip to Asia coming up in several months. ❤
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Now that’s a happy every after suitcase story. Nice. 🙂
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Now I can’t quite remember when we went when this happened. I don’t use that suitcase anymore, the color is too common. 🙂
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Oh dear, Miriam, something similar has happened to me. Such a nuisance.
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Yes, I know, Robbie. I’m not using that dark green suitcase anymore.
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awesome I loved it! ❤
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Thank you so much. I appreciate it. ❤
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