I am beginning to think my luggage has opted for early retirement and a quiet life after a few years of sterling service of following me around - it left the snows of Kabul for Dubai more than 3 weeks ago and stayed put. It didn't chase flights, get lugged about the London underground or rush up to Yorkshire and keep on changing locations - or get a cold just before heading back 'home'. Maybe it had an inkling of what was to come and saw an opportunity for a more relaxed time in the sun. It seems that it likes Dubai so much that it has extended its stay - rather than return to the chillier temperatures of Kabul. And no wonder - I have been told that there are approx. 2,500 unclaimed bags in Dubai... so it must have made good friends - imagine, the luggage that passes through Dubai must come from all corners of the world, all with a tale to tell. The around-the-world-on-shoestring rucksack, the Louis Vuttion suitcase, the plastic woven laundry bags tied up with tape and string (visitors to Africa especially, will know what I mean) and the ubiquitous wheelie-case - all jostling for space.
I have been asked to provide a full description of my luggage and in particular any distinguishing marks, as the initial description of a black rucksack doesn't help too much when searching through a 2,500 piece luggage mountain. Are all 2,500 in one pile somewhere? How long does a piece of luggage stay before it is opened and the contents raffled/given away/sold off? Apart from the gifts purchased in Kabul for friends and family there is nothing of interest to anybody but myself. Even for an airport that is a 'regional hub' I feel that 2,500 is rather a lot (and for a seemingly well organised airport it is quite scary that so much can be mislaid) - and what of their owners - did they just give up? Maybe I am lucky because I have UN staff in Dubai trying to locate my luggage while 'regular' travellers just rely on the airlines to do the searching and if they are insured and get compensated maybe they do just give up.
Even though compensation would be nice - I just really want my stuff back. Though I know one should try not to be attached to material possessions - but ... I would like to have my favourite purple shirt back and the pair of jeans... and then there is the baseball cap that was given to me by a good friend. They didn't cost at lot of money - not at all, it is just that I like them, and clothes that I like I keep for years and they become old friends.... Is this silly, sentimental?
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"2,500 Unclaimed Bags In Dubai"
Mmm. I think you've just given Katie Melua the title of the follow-up to 'Nine Million Bicycles In Beijing'. And that's a fact.
... when writing the post, the same song also came to my mind.... But given the rise of China's economy the bicycles will soon be replaced by cars in Beijing...leading to high levels of smog which is so bad it won't be clear in time for the Olympics. And in London there is a lot of pressure for people to give up their cars and get on a bike...!
Did you ever get your luggage back?
no.... and no news from the UN staff in Dubai. Think I will have to schedule a stopover next time I pass through and do battle myself..
Oh dear. I'm sorry to hear that.
The particularly annoying thing is that, no matter how many 1000s of items they have, if you walked into the storage area you would probably spot yours within less than 5 mins. Chaos Theory. Or Homing Pigeon Theory. Or somesuch...
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