We are in Polignano a Mare, a beautiful coastal town in Puglia Italy (the heel of the boot if you look at a map). This postcard is a bit longer than our goal — because we hope to help you in case you end up with a lost luggage situation.

To get here we flew from Charlotte to Munich, then on a regional jet from Munich to Bari. As is common in European airports, we took a shuttle bus to far reaches of the airfield to board our regional jet. Our flight to Munich was an hour late, making our connection tight. Once aboard the plane, we wondered about our luggage also making it, so checked the location via the Apple AirTags. Betsy’s seemed to be moving towards the plane, while mine remained in the main terminal. An appeal to the guy waiting to clear the plane for departure resulted in “we are waiting for five bags. Maybe”. As we taxied out both suitcases appeared to still be on the ground.

When we landed the AirTags still showed both suitcases in Munich, so we went directly to file a claim to avoid a delay and being in a line. They did initiate the claim, yet said we had to wait and see if they actually arrived. Betsy’s made it, not mine. So with the claim filed, off we went for our one hour taxi ride to our rented apartment. That night AirTags showed the bag had arrived in Bari, and we received a confirming email asking if we wanted to pick it up or have it delivered. I chose deliver.

The next day I was told it had been given to a courier, and would be delivered by early afternoon. By then we had discovered that very few people in this area speak English, so I had the Lost and Found communicating with the manager of our apartment. Late afternoon arrived, and still no suitcase. AirTags showed it still in Bari, yet no longer at the airport. After giving them the location I was told they were asking the courier driver what happened?

The courier said he delivered all of the bags on his truck. They went to the location indicated by the AirTag and it was a vacant lot. So somehow my suitcase had “fallen off the cart” between being given to the courier and his truck, or he was lying and stole it. He was then asked to file a police report, which authorizes access to the airport camera to try to learn what actually happened.

Four more days have passed. The AirTag has moved many times. Video has not yet been seen. Yesterday they offered to pick me up to get closer and try to pinpoint where it was (after I had offered to do that the second day). When I asked what would happen if it is in a house they said they would knock on the door and speak with the owner. Since no one is trying to return it that seems fruitless and dangerous to me, so I declined.

At this point it seems very unlikely that the suitcase is intact with its contents. With the exception of a favorite rain jacket from the Masters everything can be easily replaced, although of course it is a huge hassle. We spent several hours in a Laundromat to “buy some time”, washing what we had – then did some shopping for replacements. Since we are here for six weeks a number of things are needed.

I have learned some things which seemed worth sharing:

• Our credit card insurance is better than the airline reimbursement will be, although I have to seek compensation from the airline first. Airline is $1700, credit card is $3,000. Total – $4700.
• Filing the claim will require a lot of detail, and be a hassle. We are keeping receipts.
• Amazon is a replacement source. It is possible to buy and ship from the USA, although shipping charges and Import duties double the cost. It is also easy to use my account with Amazon Italy and get stuff in several days.
• The selection is far more limited, and we have now learned that sizes are very different. A ‘M’ in the US can be XL in Italy. Some of the things I am buying will not have a future when we return home — so function over style.
• We validated a practice we have used for years. In addition to our carry-ons we each put several days clothing in the other’s checked bag. Certainly helped this time.

Despite it all we are having a wonderful time. And of course others always have bigger problems. Our good friends coming to Italy to travel with us had their flight cancelled 45 min before their departure for the airport, and could only rebook two days later. As we walk around loving this place we found this saying on a planter, and really feel like it is and has always been us.