A week on my travels.

Oh well, it had to happen one day. I have over the past 15 years in this job, had the pleasure of much international travel, so I suppose it had to happen one day.

But why this time. I Left London Heathrow Tuesday morning for an uneventful flight to Istanbul, Turkey. I was hopeing to be in my hotel by 7pm, and meet my collegue for diner at 8pm. Not a cat in hells chance....... I was waiting by the baggage carousel for my luggage, and this chap walks up and says "you on the Heathrow flight", well being half sensible and only partially awake, I said "yes". He said, "you still waiting for your luggage", Dooh No, I'm waiting for the flying fucking carpet dick head I thought, but again said "yes". He said "please go to lost baggage, there has been a problem in London". At this point my heart sank, and I wandered over to lost baggage to be told my suite case was still in London, but they will deliver it to my hotel sometime Wednesday. Oh great I thought. I have no clothes other than what I've travelled in, I have a seriously major presentation to do first thing in the morning and I couldn't see it going down well doing a presentation to 100 IT folks in my jeans and t-shirt.
A quick phone call and I organise a trip to a shopping centre (thankfully they stay open very late here) and managed to find a very nice lingerie shop to buy some knickers as I just couldn't cope with having to wear underpants, Y-fronts or boxers. Then found a gents outfitters where I purchased a new suite, shirt and tie. Then located a supermarket for my toiletries and other essential odds and ends. Not the start I really wanted, I'm sure my blood pressure went through the roof. Its amazing what you need, but just take for granted, as I had not even thought about toiletries, only the clothes.

My luggage did arrive at 01:30 Wednesday morning, but as I was not given a delivery time, I couldnt take the risk of not having suitable clothing for my presentation. However, it still puzzles me why most of the stuff in my case was wet.

Then to cap it all, Istanbul International airport is burning like Bunsfield tonight (Wednesday). Hopefully they wont have to shut it down, else I just might have to stay here for another week or two, (not that I would be too bothered as its bloody hot today, and I have my bikini thong with me just incase I get a chance to use the pool)