Suitcase Hell

Suitcase Hell

This is our first major trip since we were married 5 years ago; the idea was a romantic gesture from my husband, Ben. We are keeping a promise to make this trip before our first child comes along.

Today is the day. I'm packed, dressed and ready to leave for the airport. We have chosen long-term parking, it will easier for us not to depend on someone else for a ride, because we are taking the red eye back. Our first stop is Rome! We are booked into St. Peter's Rooms & Suites in the heart of Rome. Ah Italy, I can't wait to taste the flavor, drink and experience all things Italian.

Ben takes the luggage from our bedroom, straight to the trunk of the car; I loaded our coffee mugs, my carry-on and our jackets.

After finding just the right spot, not too close to the elevators in long-term parking, Ben got a cart near the elevators, to put all the bags and stuff onto to push into the terminal towards the check-in counter. Once the bags are checked, we head to TSA security and Gate AZ24. Our passports are in my purse, we board the plane.

It's a long flight, over 9 hours, one layover stop at Heathrow. We head directly into Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport about 20 miles outside of Rome. We grab a shuttle outside the airport, the baggage is loaded onto the bus, and we head to the hotel. By this time I am exhausted, it's already another day since we left home. I just want to crash in our room. The bell captain takes our bags up to the room, when we get to the room; I jump on the bed, and lay back on the pillows.

Ben is grinning, as he opens the windows our room over-looks a side-street the view is so Italian, it's this quaint street! He flips open the stand for the suitcases, and plops his case down and opens it. I lift my suitcase for the first time since leaving our house, it feels light. I lay it on the bed, flip the catch...OMG! NO! Opening the suitcase, I realized I forgot to pack...anything. This is the wrong suitcase! I panic! I begin yelling, running about the room, wondering whom do we call to fix this problem.

Then the anger starts. Ben is laughing the entire time while I panic, what will I wear? I have no makeup, hairbrush, or underwear. I have absolutely nothing!! What Ben has not realized yet is this is his fault. He picked up one of the smaller valises, not the suitcase I packed. So all my clothing, toiletries, extra American Express traveler's checks are still at home.

Grinning at him, Ben begins to realize the situation; now the pressure start to build. I will have to buy all new things! Oh my, suddenly he stops laughing; because he made a very serious mistake. Now we have to go shopping, whether he wants to or not. Believe me he doesn't want to go shopping; Ben hates shopping. I can't go naked; I can't wear the same outfit for the entire two weeks. I just start to giggle; this will be the trip of a lifetime. "Thanks, Ben."

Jeanne Paquin Page 1