1000 Pyramids Quilt Has Unexpected Adventure

Many of you were asking how Ahren liked his quilt, which we were delivering to him in person.  It turns out there is a bit of a story concerning that.  

We chose a non-stop flight going straight from San Francisco to Dublin.  We love non-stop flights.  it is easier not to have to make any connecting flights, the trip isn't as long, and there is no chance for your luggage to get lost.  Hah.

We carefully chose a larger suitcase for my husband to use, and the quilt was wrapped and lovingly packed in it, along with his clothing.  We got to the airport early, and checked our two pieces of baggage without incident.  We had plenty of time to wander around in the international duty free area of the San Francisco airport, and even enjoy a cup of coffee and a muffin before the flight.

The flight was ok, nothing unusual, except it seems like the amount of leg room and size of the seats is shrinking every time I go anywhere.  My husband needed a lot more room to extend the leg he recently had the knee replaced on.  However, we got through the 11 hours, and may have even slept a bit.

When you arrive at the Dublin airport, there is quite a long walk from one's flight, through the passport checking area, then on to baggage.  I call it the Hall of Doom, because it seems like it goes on forever.  And if a lot of flights come in at once, you will stand in a line that forms along the entire mile long (it seems) corridor.  However, there wasn't much of a line until we got to the passport check in section, but we patiently waited our turn.  It was so funny to see all the foreigners tapping away on their cell phones, right under huge signs with pictures of cell phones with big red lines through them.

But I digress.  We got through the passport area, no problem, and were on our merry way to baggage to collect our suitcases and meet up with Ahren.  We found my suitcase without delay and then stood and stood and stood, along with a big crowd of other passengers who were all waiting for their bags, which hadn't come off the flight yet.  Soon a representative from Aer Lingus turned up with a sad announcement.  Back in San Francisco, there had been a massive breakdown of the main baggage carrying apparatus, affecting thousands of flights out of SFO, including 50 passengers on our flight.  The apparatus must have broken just after my bag was loaded on the flight!

My husband's suitcase was still in San Francisco, mixed up with so many other pieces of luggage it boggles the mind.

We just looked at each other and said at the same time, "The Quilt".  The fact that my poor husband had no clothes, shoes or toiletries was a secondary issue.  So we stood in  more lines to fill out lost luggage paperwork, and then finally met Ahren with our sad story.

After filling out the paperwork, all communication is electronic, so there was no way to talk to a real person to see what the status was.  Two days later, Ahren received a text message that the suitcase had arrived at the Dublin airport and was out for delivery.  So we stayed home and waited for it instead of going sightseeing.  But it didn't come.  The following day, Ahren received another text message saying the bag really was out for delivery.  Sure enough, a nice man drove up to the house around noon and delivered the suitcase.

We opened it right up and right as rain, there was Ahren's 1000 Pyramids Quilt, just as we had packed it.  He loved it of course, and said it was just as he had envisioned.  After admiring it sufficiently, he ran upstairs with it to his room and spread it out on his bed.  The quilt is quite large, and I was happy to see that there was plenty of overhang on both sides of the bed.  It was a great fit.  He wouldn't let me take a picture of the entire messy bedroom, but allowed a shot of just the quilt in its final resting place on the bed itself.

So I guess this is an example of the old adage "All's well that ends well".  Our quilt had a bit of an exciting start to its Irish life, but ultimately made it unscathed and is happily settling in it's new home.

Comments

[Barbara Anne]

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs!

[Donna]

Thank goodness that it finally arrived safely! Glad your husband finally got his clothes too.

[Stephani in N. TX]

Good things come to those who wait - or - oh, the plans of mice and men. So glad the bag caught up with you. The quilt is GORgeous. Glad hubby got his clothes and necessaries as well. Handsome son whom you love to show you Ireland, now that's priceless!

[Robby H.]

So glad that had a happy ending. Last Christmas I wanted to take a carry-on bag stuffed with a quilt I was gifting. My husband looked at me like I was nuts since he gets free checked baggage. I reminded him of the hours of work (and skimpy dinners) that went into finishing it. At the last minute, our plane changed and I had to gate check it. I consoled myself with the thought it was such a short separation surely nothing could happen. Sure enough, it was one of the first ones loaded back on the jetway. Glad yours turned out so well, too.

[Sherry V.]

Oh I am so glad that the story had a happy ending.

Years ago I was in charge of taking my sister's wedding dress on a flight from NJ to Las Vegas. . . . I was a nervous wreck from flying (I am not a fan) and then having to wait for her suitcase. . . . which did not hit the conveyor until all of the other family luggage had been pulled.

I don't know how it could have gotten separated from the rest of our bags but it did finally show up after what seemed like an eternity.

And I can understand not wanting a messy room in a picture. LOL

Have a happy day.

[Jan]

What a saga to begin your visit! Ahren looks well & the quilt is gorgeous on his bed! I had to gate check a carry-on bag with 2 antique quilts to be appraised at a show this year. One of the quilts is well over 125 years old so, although it was a short flight on a smaller plane, I was thrilled to see it on the cart!

[AnnieO]

Gifts for beloved family are top priority to makers and I can imagine your horror when it didn't appear! Your husband was a good sport. Glad it all turned out wonderfully. The quilt is home!

[Tracey Holzer]

Its a gorgeous quilt, Nicole. Can you imagine losing a quilt though?? I don't think that I can.

[Mary Kastner]

OMG! I can't believe you handled that catastrophe so well. I would have been a total wet mess! THank goodness it showed up. It is such a beautiful quilt. That is a story you will never forget.

[Hildy]

Oh wow, I'm glad the quilt (and not to forget your hubby's clothes and things) arrived safely. Next time you need to pack a quilt you take on a flight in your carry-on;-)

[ina]

close call! thankfully, it made it in the end. ;p

[Shasta]

The quilt is gorgeous! So glad everything worked out for the best, and now there is an exciting story to go with the quilt.

[Chookyblue]

Thank goodness the bag arrived safely.......

[Cathy]

What a relief!

[Kyle]

So glad it work out perfectly with just a bit of a delay.

[Helen storer]

I had a horrendous bag loss tgat involved me touring Ireland with carry on only and promises of my bag meeting up with me but after 4 weeks holiday i gave up. Eventually it was returned to me in Australia 6 weeks later having been all through many airports. My daughters bag went missing on route to San Fran this last decmeber. She was travelling to Cuba and Pureto ricco before joining me in Santa Barbara. She gave up after a few days and it was sent to me about a week later. The joys of travelling. Glad your quilt made it and you had a great time.

[Taria]

I am lucky not to have a want or need to fly but as I read your story I thought 'the quilt' also. I am so glad it is home safe with your son. Your trip looks like a wonderful time for all. Welcome home.

[Nancy Watkins]

What an adventure! It looks amazing!

[Nancy Watkins]

And like they say, every quilt has a story.

[Jennifer in Indy]

Oh my gosh, what an unnerving few days while you waited for the suitcase and quilt to arrive. Glad that it is loved and that it went right on the bed!