When planning this trip (we always over-plan) we decided to eat meals heated in the room, bought at Trader Joe's. And fill a suitcase to bring foodstuffs unique to TJs home. This suitcase is what we chose to pack, clothes and a gym bag inside, to be later filled with food and some clothes, and carry the gym bag with us. Not overjoyed at having to check luggage, but it seems worth it this time.
The saleswoman appeared surprized at the color D chose. They came in black, silver, red, and purple. We both knew immediately we would take the purple one, and not just because I love the color. Having an unusual color makes the luggage carousel less of a torture. And D does not consider the color of his luggage* reflective of his gender. We then wanted to up the visibility, and went into the office supply store with an open mind for something sticky and identifiable. D spotted the vinyl planets sheet in the educational section. Only one way to tell for sure how much difference it will make, but I have every confidence in this idea.
When we returned from Gulf War I, and knew we would need to sift through 800 identical duffle bags to find our own. So I'd bought a remnant of obnoxious bright pink polka-dot fabric from a Riyadh shop, to tie on all the handles of mine, to find it. D thought this a great idea, and had me put more on his as well. Worked a treat. At the time, I thought this remarkably pragmatic for a 21 year old guy, in the Army, who grew up in Utah.
On another subject, I was spraying the counter, and Moby just watched with idle interest. I remarked, as I have before, that I am very glad we never "punished" Moby with spraying water at him, and apparently neither did his former owner. Mentioned this to D, glad that we'd read up on this before we'd even found Moby. That punishment doesn't work for any creature, unless it is immediate and a spontaneous reaction, not intentional retribution. But especially not with cats, who merely decide you are dangerous and crazy, and therefore to be avoided. Unlike dogs who want your approval.
D said, "Yeah, cats know your anger is all about you."
*He had no trouble carrying a friend, P's, pink, Hello Kitty! luggage from the airport to her B&B, although P's mom tried to tease him about it. He shrugged P's Mom's slur off as irrelevant, if not downright silly. This is a huge part of why I so admire him.
6 comments:
Luggage after my own heart. (My Dad's version of an identifier involved duct tape stripes, sigh)
ER,
I was prepared to put bright yellow duck tape on the corners, so I'm glad we found this instead. Reflector tape would also work, and we'd considered that as well.
I thought it was a vacuum cleaner at first! This luggage will survive anything. And love the planets... Bon voyage.
we've tied a bandana to the handle of each piece of our (black) luggage and have never had any trouble finding it quickly on the belts. we fly at least twice a year and enjoy the quick ID and our prompt exits from airports.
Now the song "Purple People Eater" is lodged in my brain ♫♪♪
Our bid to buy colour distinguishing luggage is only marginal successful as we bought standard red cases.
The next time we travel I will consider personalizing them further to ease their identification.
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