European Trip - Lost Luggage and Broken Wrist

Europe - August 2016

             

  Flights to Amsterdam were perfect and on time. 

Barbara in Amsterdam

Canal in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

    Only one problem - Bill's luggage did not arrive with us in Amsterdam.  My bright red suitcase came rolling down the carousel after our overnight flight, but not Bill's bag.  Oops!

    

    That's never a good thing, especially  after being up for more than 24 hours.  You really just want to get your luggage, hop on the train and find your Airbnb apartment. 

  

    Super mad and really bummed can best describe Bill. 

Airbnb - Full Apartment - Amsterdam

Barb on Canal Cruise - Amsterdam

Houseboat - Canal in Amsterdam

    
    Long week in Amsterdam with Bill on the phone constantly with American Airlines.  No luggage, no clothes, and no sympathy either from the airline.  I suggested that we buy him all new clothes immediately, but he wanted to wait, wait, wait for the luggage to arrive. 

Albert Cuyp Market, Amsterdam

     Every time we talked to Customer Service from AA they had a different story.  His bag went to Miami.  Then, they said his luggage went to London.  No one really knows where it is.  We only know that we don't have it. 

    I also had some very nice items in his bag too - new travel size perfume, sunscreen, good umbrella, etc.

    So, for the next five days, I hand washed Bill's extra clothes - one pair of underwear, one pair of socks and one shirt.  Threw them in the dryer and we were ready for another day.  He had only packed those three items in his carry-on luggage, along with his shaving gear!

    Finally, the day before our Viking River Cruise I insisted that we do a Commando Shopping Spree!  The first department store we went into was H&M.  We searched the racks for Bill's size and could not find anything for him.  

Bikes in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Canal

    

    

    

   

    So, Bill jokingly asked a salesperson if they had any 'clothes for fat, old men'.  The answer - No, we don't!  Try another department store.  Fingers crossed.  

   
    

    Most of the clothes in Europe are for skinny, short guys!  I don't know how they keep their weight down, but we did see a lot of smokers.  

    The second department store, CnA, did have the sizes we needed for Bill.  Jeans, shirts, sweater, jacket, shorts, ballcap, socks, shoes and underwear.  

    We bought New Clothes for the Emperor on Friday afternoon!  Whew...    

    Now, we needed a suitcase for the new clothes.  So off we went down the street with three giant shopping bags.  First suitcase store - too sleazy.  Second store - too smelly.    

Amsterdam

Canal in Amsterdam

Boat in Amsterdam

    Finally, we went into the 'Samsonite' store looking every inch the American who has lost his luggage and absolutely MUST buy a suitcase now!  So the shady character grabbed Bill's bags, dumped them into a medium sized suitcase and patted all of the clothes into place.  He proudly stood back and said, "See, it fits, you buy". 

    Well, he had a point.  The clothes did fit, we did need a suitcase, so we bought it.  The bargaining took place then.  Just like the Middle East.  

Final price:  $145.00.

Go figure...Amsterdam

Buying a Belgian Waffle!  

Delicious Belgian Waffle!

    I finished my Content List of clothing and items from Bill's lost luggage!  Guess the total?  $2,720.  Can you believe that?  He wears very nice clothes - Brooks Brothers, Orvis, Solumbra, new Tilley hat, and expensive, quick drying travel underwear...  I was even surprised when I saw the total.

    We filed the forms with American Airlines now that we are home.  Hope they will reimburse us, but it still won't cover the actual clothes in his original luggage.  We have NO receipts for the old clothes that we packed.  Only old Visa statements which really don't prove anything.  We have the new clothing receipts, but didn't spend very much on his new clothes. 

Pretty Macaroons - Amsterdam

Cheese in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Tea & Gingerbread Cookies

Amsterdam Goodies

  There was no way to actually 'replace' what he lost.  No Orvis. Brooks Bros or Tommy Bahama stores in Amsterdam.  Only skinny, form fitting European clothes for men!  

     

    

    We only hope that someday Bill's suitcase will show up on our doorstep.  NOT... 

   
    Super crowded during our week in Amsterdam due to the Gay Pride Euro 2016 Celebration and Parade.  The festival lasted for three weeks and ended on the Saturday of our Cruise. 

    

    Great!  400,000 additional tourists from all over Europe flocked to Amsterdam!  Too many people in one place at one time!

Euro Pride - Amsterdam

 

Amsterdam Canal

    
    We did enjoy Amsterdam.  Beautiful 3-4 story narrow homes on picturesque canals.  Boats were lovely.  Interesting houseboats too.  Walked the Dam Square, home of the Royal Palace and St. Nicholas Church.  Loved the trams and quickly learned to navigate them.  Our Airbnb was fabulous!  Would highly recommend it.  Good food and great sight seeing!. 

Bill enjoying a Belgium Beer

Canal Boats - Amsterdam

    Toured the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House in the Jordaan neighborhood, lots of canal walking, toured the Rijksmuseum, took a Canal Cruise, Red Light District and Chinatown. 





    



    Quaint narrow streets alongside canals, good beer and interesting people we talked with about politics.  Beautiful historic city, incredible architecture, art and lovely people. 

    The Viking Bestla River Cruise was Perfect!!!  So happy that we had this to look forward to.  Bill and I loved it.  

Viking Bestla

Barb and the Viking Bestla

    The Viking River Cruise was great!   Outstanding chef and food, excellent staff and service, lovely boat and stateroom, fun people to get to know, and delicious regional wines and beer.  

    Printed menus for every meal.  Beef Wellington Napoleon Style, Salmon Tartar, Pumpkin Mousse Ravioli with Lamb Loin, Sauteed Prawns and Saffron Beurre Blanc, and much, much more. 

Viking Bestla Boat- Top Deck

Viking Bestla

    Took our 1st Excursion on a chilly, foggy, misty Sunday morning to the historic Kinderdijk Windmills, one of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites that we visited in Europe.  Went up in a working windmill that was actually spinning during our visit.  There are 19 windmills in this area and we saw nearly all of them as we walked through the area. 

Windmills of Kinderdijk

Wooden Shoes in Windmill

Windmill

Working Windmill

    

   

    From the Netherlands we cruised the Rhine River, the Main River and the Danube for nearly two weeks going through 68 Locks.  Up, down, up down through the locks.  Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg (WWII Zeppelin Field where the Nazi rallies were held and Courtroom 600 where the war crimes trials took place at the Palace of Justice), and Regensburg - Germany.

Cruising through Germany

German Town on the Danube

Cruising the Danube

     Austria - Melk, Krems, Vienna.  The Hapsburg Palace, the Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna State Opera, the Wiener Riesenrad (212 foot Ferris Wheel which served as the setting in the 1949 noir The Third Man movie by Graham Greene) and home of the Spanish Riding School with its Lipizzaner horses.  

Barb and Bill - Wurzburg, Germany

Wurzburg, Germany

Wurzburg, Germany

    Soaring, elaborate cathedrals, small, intimate churches, palaces, castles, lovely town squares, old Rathauses (Town Halls) in every town, half-timbered houses, Gothic churches, vineyards, orchards and lots of river traffic.  

    Cruising down the rivers was so idyllic.  Sitting and watching the scenery go by.  Reading, chatting with new friends and having tea. 

Bill and Barb on Regensburg Bridge, Germany

Bamberg, Germany

Bamberg, Germany

     
    So much to see and do.  Lots of walking on cobblestones! 

    But, here is where the European vacation gets more interesting!

Melk Abbey, Wachau Valley, Germany

    On the morning of Tuesday, August 16, we toured the most incredible Melk Abbey in the Wachau Valley, Austria.  The most famous abbey in Austria situated on an outcrop rising above the Danube.  Built between 1702 and 1736, originally a royal palace, but turned into a fortified abbey to the Benedictine monks. 

    The monastic community is more than 900 years old and the black-robed monks still stroll in the gardens and courtyards, along with the 700 students who attend the prestigious monastery school.

     After a perfect lunch on the Viking Bestla, I went on a 25-mile bike ride with 18 other cruise guests.  It was said to be a lovely bike ride from Melk to Krems on a trail next to the Danube River cycling through vineyards, orchards, tiny villages, up/down gently sloping terrain looking at the castles and mountains. 

    Well...  In an ideal world...  

    First, there were some expert bikers on the trip who set quite the rigorous and strenuous pace.  Also, I haven't been on my bike for at least two years.  But, I thought since I workout, walk three miles several times a week and take Yoga...  Well, you get the picture.

    
    Off we went pedaling like crazy.  Enjoyed some scenery for a short time.  Then, I'm pumping and breathing harder.  Sweating, sweating...   


    But, still bringing up the rear.  The Hotel Manager's wife rode with me.  She was an expert because they live in the Netherlands and bike EVERYWHERE, just as they do in Amsterdam.  She was quite the pro! 

    Each time the group stopped to rest and drink water, I pulled in last and had about two minutes on my jelly legs to rest.  Then, off we went again, and again, and again. 

Charming House in Austria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    We did stop for about 30 minutes at a quaint little inn in an orchard to have beer, wine and water.  I had water - a full pitcher of water!  Then, off we went!

    Shortly after our stop about six bikers were going up a small hill when the lady in front of me totally stopped.  Everyone bunched up, I tried to stop.  There was someone immediately behind me and to my left.  I wobbled and fell down on the pavement to my left with my bike falling on me.

    Big Ouch!!!  I landed on my left wrist and also broke the fall with my left knee and leg.  My left knee is now bleeding, bruised and scraped, but my left wrist is screaming at me and I'm in excruciating pain. 

     Someone poured water on my bleeding knee.  I managed to get up and back on my bike.  After all, I could not push my bike for 6-7 more miles to the cruise ship.  

    So, I rode with mostly one hand, but when we stopped for roads, etc., I had to get on/off and use the painful left hand. 

    Finally, the boat was in sight on the Danube.  I could have cried both in pain, exhaustion and joy because the ride was over.  Someone pushed my bike the last several feet and across a long bridge.  Back on the boat.

    No doctor on the boat.  No medical attention.  

    And, we were ready to begin cruising down the Danube.  So, a shower, a bandaid, and a tiny gauze bandage that I wrapped around my wrist.  Very tough night resting my wrist on a rolled up towel and self-medicated with a bit of wine and Tylenol.  Not a lot of sleep though because any small movement rocked my world.

Bill, Nancy & Tim Leonard

    The next morning I took the Vienna City Tour with Bill and the cruise group holding my aching wrist upright and as close to my chest as possible.  Super afraid that someone would bump my arm!  

   Then, our Concierge, who spoke German, taxied with us to an Emergency Hospital where I finally received medical care after 24 hours... It was very basic care, nonetheless, a real doctor and hospital.

    

    First stop - Payment to the hospital.  They charged Euros 250 (about $279).  Another invoice for Euros 122 ($140) was sent to our home and we wired the money to the Vienna hospital.  

    Then we sat in the Red Chairs waiting to visit with the doctor.  Basic visit with the youngest doctor I've ever seen.  He sat in a green chair in front of a computer.  He asked if I could move my wrist up/down and could I move my fingers?  i passed that one-minute exam. 

    Second stop - Blue Chairs - Xrays. 

    Third stop - Back to the Red Chairs to see the young doctor again.  He showed me my X-ray.  Yes, the ulna bone in my wrist is broken.  Again, no exam room, no door, no curtain and at least seven other staff members standing around the doctor.  Two minutes had passed.  

    Last stop - The Black Chairs in the Gips Department (which is what we would call our Casting Department). 

    My beautiful gold, Celtic wedding diamond wedding ring had to be cut off...  That hurt in more ways than one.  Fingers and hand - lots of swelling.  The Gips technician put a piece plaster cast on the top of my arm and on the bottom of my arm (two piece cast).  He secured it with gauze.  

    Finished.  About 4.5 hours had gone by.  Taxi back to the boat.  Shower with my new BFF - a plastic trash bag!!!

    Dinner, wine and more Tylenol to get through the night. 

    As I tried to undress for bed that night, Bill was nowhere around.  He had stayed in the dining room talking with his new BFFs!!!  So, I tried very hard to unbutton my blouse, remove my pierced earrings and did the 'Pants Dance' removing my slacks and wiggling into a pair of shorts.

    More time passed and I'm exhausted from the effort of trying to remove my clothing.  I just wanted to go to bed. 

    So, I went out into the small hallway and waited for a woman to head my way!  First lady coming, I walked towards her and asked her to help me remove my earrings, unbutton my shirt cuff and remove my necklace.  All rather strange requests from a complete stranger wearing a cast!   

    She was super helpful and asked me if I needed help getting into my pajamas.  No, I managed by myself.  But, I was so annoyed with Bill who was still having fun in the Dining Room.  Not a good day or evening for me!   

Reisenrad Ferris Wheel, Vienna, Austria

Boat with Swimming Pool, Vienna

St. Stephan's Cathedral, Vienna

    But, I had two more weeks in Europe!  I couldn't stop now.  Another five days on the Cruise.  

    Four days in Budapest.  Train to Prague and five days in that lovely city.  

House of Parliament - Budapest, Hungary

Budapest at Night, Danube River

Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary

    More cathedrals, concerts, castles, palaces, cobblestones, walking tours, stairs, bridges and Airbnbs.  Last, our three-leg flight home - Prague to London, London to Charlotte, NC and finally to Milwaukee.  Whew... 

Train from Budapest to Prague, Czech Republic

    Another adventure completed!

    In Budapest we experienced the 1000th Anniversary of Hungary along with 2 million additional people in the city!  Our Airbnb was one block from the Basilica where all of the religious ceremonies took place.  There was a huge parade through the streets with clergy and others carrying church relics.  

Beer Garden in Budapest

Basilica, Budapest

1000th Anniversary Celebration, Budapest

    All stores and most restaurants were closed.  But street stalls and vendors were everywhere selling sausages, cheese, gingerbread cookies, dumplings, potatoes, beer, wine, etc. 

    That evening there was the most amazing Fireworks display over the Danube River.  They were shot off from the Castle Hill area with six fireworks sites.  Incredible!  Four million visitors enjoyed the spectacle and so did we!!!

Ice Bar, Budapest

Coats to Wear in Ice Bar, Budapest

Sausages, Centraal Market, Budapest

   I had to laugh about the big Budapest celebration because two things that Bill hates most and I love most - Parades and Fireworks!  

Bill on Charles Bridge, Prague

Beer and Pretzels, Prague

    Prague was also lovely and incredible.  We could feel the history as we walked the ancient cobblestone streets.  

    Uncle Rado met us at our Airbnb and showed us around our new neighborhood.  We went to dinner with him and heard some great stories while drinking local wine and beer!


    Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square, St. Vitus' Cathedral, Old Jewish Quarter and much more!

Barb on Charles Bridge, Danube River, Prague

Airbnb Balcony, Budapest, Hungary

Airbnb Bedroom, Budapest, Hungary

Airbnb Bedroom, Budapest, Hungary

Airbnb Living Room, Budapest

Airbnb - Budapest, Hungary

Airbnb Hallway, Budapest

 

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle

Barbara and Guard at Prague Castle

Barb & Hungarian Ladies

    To my new Ortho in the USA the day after our arrival home.  New bright red cast for several more weeks and a new plastic bag.  But, yesterday I awoke to a 'Numb Thumb'.  That's probably not a good thing to have for another month or two.

    Back to the Ortho who cut the cast off and applied another red cast (my 3rd cast).  However, my thumb is still numb.  Another appointment tomorrow.

    Sports Medicine Doctor examined my hand and wrist yet again.  The 3rd cast was cut off and a black, sports wrist BOA support system or cast (device #4) was put on.  Felt like a torture devise.  

    I quickly made an appointment with a hand specialist who removed the ugly black torture cast and created a 'Boutique' type of red cast with navy blue trim allowing my left thumb and joint to be free.  Another 2-3 months in the cast, then OT will be in order.      

    Another issue was the bruising and swelling of my left knee which has not gone down and is still extremely painful.  My Ortho Xrayed it.  Patellar Contusion.  I'm still icing, resting, and compressing it to get the swelling down.

    No Yoga or kneeling for several months.  Still really hurts!

    Lots of photos and great memories from our European adventure.  Visited five countries in four weeks!  Trains, planes, boats, trams, bike and cars. 

    New monetary units - Euros in London, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria.  Forints in Budapest, Hungary.  Korunas in Prague, Czech Republic.

    Lots of interesting conversations with people from all over the world.  Topics such as Communism, Socialism, movies, WWII, new governments, travel, careers, children, grandchildren, politics, education, food, wine and more.  We really enjoyed talking to all of our new friends. 

    Great Airbnbs - full apartments with one bedroom, kitchen, living room and big bathrooms with walk-in showers (except for Budapest) and washer/dryers.  Good experiences.  

    The bathtubs in Europe are very deep and tricky to get in and out of, especially if you are short.  We had some difficulty with those and the hand held shower heads!  We sort of sprayed the entire bathroom until we got the hang of those!  But, we managed.    

    Travel is always so interesting and rewarding.  Sometimes just people watching at a cafe is great!  But, it's also good to be back home in the USA.  I feel lucky to have the dark blue Passport. 

    After seven weeks, Bill's luggage showed up on our doorstep!  Hurray!!!  We were super surprised, to say the least.  Happy that all of his clothes and items were in the suitcase.  

    Also, American Airlines reimbursed us for the new suitcase, Bill's new clothes and toiletries.  Took a lot of time and effort on the phone, plus filling out a lot of forms and including all receipts, but it ended well.  

    Happy and safe travels to all of you!      

    Good health and happiness to all of you as we go into the next season - Autumn with all its beauty and color!