What to do when your luggage is damaged?

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Our trip to Mallorca, Spain this year is something that we would not forget for a long time. Not because it was a wonderful experience but because that trip had us suffering almost every traveler's nightmare.

First, there was an almost 6 hour delayed flight, we used Thomas Cook/Condor, which resulted in us cooling our heels in an airport hotel and spending midnight in the airport while waiting for our flight to be called. And then arriving at our hotel at 6 am when the kids, who managed to sleep in the bus ride to the hotel, cant sleep anymore.

And then the flight back which was horrible for MC as she was only throwing up during the two hour flight. And then our luggage ending up so damaged that my husband had no choice but to spend more precious time complaining about it. The grip was completely broken (see photo) and the locks, too. Good thing we had a luggage belt to keep our things in tact!

Well, since we dont really have any idea on what to do about it and MC is still reeling from the weakness brought about the flight -- I had to wait for my husband alone with two cranky kids.

What did he discovered when it comes to reporting damaged luggages?

1. Go directly to the airline counter where you are booked.

2. Report the damage, show them the bag.

3. Dont forget to keep your record of the flight -- number, seats, date and time. And dont forget to ask about the name of the person you talked to.

4. In our case, the person told us someone from DHL would call to pick up the damaged luggage in a few days time. They would have to look at it and consider if it could still be repaired or if we could get a replacement.

5. After a couple of days, DHL called and said they are ready to pick up the luggage. Well, they arrived the same day, too.

6. After a day, a call came to us saying that the luggage cannot be repaired so that we would be getting a new luggage that would more or less be the same size as the one that was damaged.

7. And then another day and our new luggage arrived! It was better, bigger and lighter than our old battered one.

Let me tell you, we are really surprised how fast they handled it. Just so sorry that their airplanes cant bring us as fast to our Mallorca vacation.

Blackberry Shake

Good thing I have enough in our freezer, those blackberries from our garden.

Freshly picked, I placed them in containers and shove them in the freezer drawers. Intended for the cold, winter days. Although it is only the start of autumn, the girls already miss the availability of fresh fruits in the garden.

Now those cherry, apricot, and apple trees are just monkey bars. Those thorny blackberry shrubs just something to avoid. Those strawberry patches just leaves.

No more fresh fruits ready for picking, just some apples; but the girls know about our 'storage'. After all, they helped me pick, wash and package them for the freezer.

Now the girls want a fruit shake. And I am happy to oblige. They have enough choices: greengage, blackberries, yellow plums (mirabelle), and plums.

They settled for the blackberry.

Ingredients for a blackberry shake: frozen blueberry, some milk, a spoonful of sugar, and a small packet of vanilla extract.

Preparation: Let the frozen blackberries thaw a little; then place in a mixer, add the rest of the ingredients. Mix.

Serve immediately.

Walking to School on a Rainy Day does NOT Hurt

We know it would rain today. But should that stop the girls from walking to school? Of course not. Raindrops doesn't hurt at all.

The girls were dressed for the weather: warm and water-proof jackets with hoods, their school bags protected by waterproof covers.

When they left home, it was not raining at all. Then, a girl decided to join them in walking to school, bringing with her a big umbrella.

In the middle of their journey to school, it rained. They continued to walk. School is not too far away.

You'd think that's all? No. The mother of the girl (with the big umbrella) who walked with my girls decided to cruise around with her car and look for the girls. She saw the girls in the corner near the school and told the girls to jump into the car.

And she told MC, 'your father also have a car. Why don't he drive you to school in this rain?' MC just shrugged.

Of course, she informed us of what happened. My husband was irritated and wanted to confront that mom with these words, 'a few raindrops won't hurt your kid.'

I simply asked my girls, 'what do you think about walking to school in the rain?' Both agreed it is okay to walk to school.

Both agreed that it is fun walking to school. Why? Because they meet up with friends along the way. Because they discuss and exchange stories along the way. Because they usually see interesting things along the way (they usually see squirrels, moles, raccons, etc). Because the air is fresh out there. Because sometimes they sneak time to play, too. But most especially, because walking is healthy!

We don't understand the worries of walking to school in the rain. Unless of course, a child is too weak to walk. But even the weak needs to move, too, right?

We told the girls: as long as you keep safe, walk to school all you want -- rain or shine.