ecat

Thank you bookchick for the translation of "shat rim". No matter how many time I said it it never came out to mean "chat room"

Once again welcome home calamari. Highly impressed how you've managed to get this report out so quickly!

Florence sounded like a lovely time. I'm reading about Rome now - how come you didn't go to some of those restaurants I suggested!?

ciao, Eileen

Beatchick

I know, ecat, I had to play it over & over again in my head; only got it when I saw Ira's "Four oom" comment!!

Treesa

Great report, Calamari. So, does your husband sound like Inspector Clouseau aka Peter Sellars?

Hope your missing luggage arrives home intact.

Calamari

Barbara -
The Clarks got on my nerves towards the middle and the end of the trip when the weather warmed up. They felt cluncky to me and I felt like I was walking like Frankenstein. They made my feet so hot and the leather never seemed to soften up. I bought a couple of great pairs of Geox in Rome which saved me. The Clark's look like they have been through a war. Sure am glad I took that other pair back before I left. Good thing I wore a comfy pair of Nine West slip on loafers on the plan. My feet were the size of large grapefruits after such a tight flight. Thanks for asking.

Calamari

Swiss Air came through. A baggage delivery service company deliverd our lost luggage at 1:00 AM. Best news is nothing was missing. When we got to FCO we had four bags wrapped in cellophane by a service. Cost was Euro$7.00 per bag. Since we had purchased a large amount of books and divided them up between the bags, I thought the cellophane would add a good measure of added security for the seams. The bags that were not wrapped in cello were the ones items were stolen out of. From now on, I will always have my bags wrapped. This is one of my top travel tips from here on out. Bags were so well wrapped that it took me awhile to cut away, tug and pull the cello off. Best money spent on trip for sure! List of items stolen: (1) pr. Pollini shoes, (1) cashmere sweater, (1) LV bag that was a gift (1) Zuccero CD (1)large new bottle of Annick Goutal perfume (1) Replay outfit for kid (1) bag of souveniers. Total amout approx EURO $800. Sorry if I sound like I am "whinning".

SeaUrchin

Calamari (we sound like a seafood salad), I have always wondered about the cellophane wrapping service and how the airlines would open it if they thought they needed to inspect the contents. Did anyone explain that to you? If it worked so well I will use that service from now on too.

WillTravel

I'd be upset about losing 800 Euros worth of stuff! Is anyone going to pay for it?

Calamari

SeaUrchin- We sound more like a really good sushi dinner. Anyway, our bags were screened by the airport before we got to the wrapping machine. Swiss Air did not seems concerned that the bags were wrapped and made no comment about it. Screening process was very casual at FCO. I suppose that the wrap would have been taken off by US security if they felt the need to inspect the baggage. Almost nobody else had their luggage wrapped coming into the US. I know this is not a service offered here. I am so glad that I did it!!!

Calamari

Will Travel - Good question. I am in the process of writting a letter to Swiss Air. Apparently, bags in business are insured up to $100 and bags in first are insured up to $200 according to their site. No mention of insurance for bags for cattle class. I have reciepts for items I purchased, but not for the gifts given to me. I am not anticipating a problem getting reimbursed. I mostly just feel violated, but I will get over it. THis happens everyday to people all over the world. I guess it was just my turn. I am just happy we made it there and back in one piece.

SeaUrchin

Pass the sake!!

Since I use Swiss at FCO I have seen that wrapping machine, do you go to checkin after wrapping it? I haven't seen much security for luggage at FCO either, usually I just put my luggage on the belt at checkin and that is that.

Will your personal insurance cover the loss?

Calamari

Yes, straight to check in after wrapping. I too was surprised at lack of security at FCO. Was somewhat more comforted when we landed in Zurich and while racing to catch our connecting flight, had to go through security again...until somehow I set off the metal detector. Had to go into curtained stall with woman officer. We determined it was coming from my undergarment. We had a good laugh. Then we had to show our passports again, get our boarding passes stamped by the passport inspector before boarding and we were off. Was it you who warned me about how uncomfortable the seats are on Swiss? Everything else was great.

SeaUrchin

No, I don't think I complained about the seats but maybe about the lowcal food I order but that is my fault for not liking gooey creamy sauces on my rubber chicken.

I flew Lufthansa this last trip and I like their little winged headrests which you can fold up around head so you don't droop onto the seat next to you.

Thanks for the wrapping advice, I will use it next time for my luggage was tampered with this last trip and I think some personal papers were lifted.

Scarlett

Welcome back Calamari darlin!
I am sick at the loss of your LV bag gift and the perfume and everything else..but Happy to hear your back and everyone else in the car are OK now!
I have really enjoyed reading this, whenever you remember more, please do write!
Hugs, your shat pal, Scarlett~

degas

Well, I declare - show is right grand that our precious Calamari has returned safe and sound. Sounds like you had a fine time and never a dull moment. Great report.

Calamari

Degas!
Are you feeling better? So happy to see you are back up on the shat rim!

Calamari

I mentioned the "pic nic" we had in Pansano - Greve in Chianti and I wanted to share with you the name of the Piazza as well as the name of the butcher shop which holds the BBQ outside of their shop. It is Piazza Matteotti and the butcher shop is called Antica Marcelleria Falorni. Tel: (055) 853.029. What a great day that was!

I hope someone will go and experience this for themselves. The beauty of the Chianti area is in the simple pleasures.

Statia

I've just finally gotten a chance to read this, Calamari. Welcome back and thanks for the great report!

Calamari

Mistake! This is not where we had our picnic. This is in the main Pzza in Greve where we bought some steaks for dinner, some wine to send home and some salt rubs.