And not in the sense of that funky ‘carwash‘ song. 

Guess what didnt arrive in Charlotte, after another marathon flight around this big blue planet of ours? Yes… my luggage!!! I am starting to understand why Americans always take ridiculous amounts of carry-on baggage with them when they fly, apparently this is the only way of guaranteeing your stuff arrives when you do.

My connection at LAX was tight, only 3 hours to clear customs and get to a different terminal. There was also a slight drama with tickets, as in I did not have one and should have. Somehow I managed to schmooze my way onto the flight, evidently my luggage did not follow my lead. After clearing customs I had a bad feeling when some random baggage guy told me to “just leave your cases here” - pointing to a non-descript pile of cases next to a non-functional conveyor belt.

Great timing, as I have to present today at the meeting I am here to attend, wearing the same clothes I have been in for over 24hrs.  Not quite the same level of disaster as arriving in Sydney, on Mardigras weekend, and not having the 37+ outfits I had meticulously planned to fulfull the fashion requirements of those 3 chaotic days, but close.

Naturally, US Airways have NO baggage tracking system and assume NO liability for any lost or delayed luggage. Kindly though the woman in the baggage ‘issues’ office gave me an overnight pack with toothbrush, shaving supplies and a comb. Because noone can go for 24hrs without a comb.

I am hoping (a la Sydney experience) the cases (which have somehow multiplied in Australia and now way almost 50kg together) will turn up today.

On the brighter side of thing, I am staying in an amazing hotel, The Chalotte Westin. Tres brand new, right in the middle of the city and when I checked in the attendant said

“Welcome to the Westin, Dr van Laar. I see that all your expenses during your stay have been taken care of”.

To which I replied “Sing it, sister”, clicked my fingers and strutted up to my room on the 16th floor.

Also this morning as I stuffed myself senseless at the buffet, a very kind waiter (actually called ’servants’ here) asked what room I was staying in and asked if I wanted him to “show me the town” sometime over the weekend.

Hello…. is it that obvious? Hmmmm…