space
I’ve purchased new luggage before. One time I foolishly bought a two hundred dollar suit case! I seriously think it only lasted one flight. There must be some kind of competition held internationally by baggage handlers at all airports. Perhaps there is a secret online game? I’m convinced they earn points for amazing prizes by wrecking luggage. The nicer the piece, the more
Seriously, what other reason can there be?
Anyway, I now buy my luggage at Goodwill. I’m quite happy with my ten dollar suitcase. Actually, my brother found my current piece of luggage. It was part serious gift and part joke. And, if my theory is right about baggage handlers and nicer luggage, there is a reason why my piece is holding up so well. It is the ugliest suitcase I’ve ever seen.
If you look at most people’s luggage as it goes around the airport carousel, you’ll mainly see varieties of black, blue and brown. Some people opt for bright colors. There are very few suit cases out there that are similar to mine, and I can’t believe anyone seriously buys them because they think it is a stylish choice. My suitcase looks like the fabric was removed from your grandmother’s sofa. It’s a floral design in red, green and beige. Truly an eyesore! Truly horrendous! But, I’ve come to love my little eyesore. And, I have to say, it isn’t too hard to spot when searching for luggage on those carousels.
If a ten dollar piece of luggage holds up on one trip, it’s money well invested. This one has lasted years. Up until 2016, I’d say this piece has been fairly indestructible. But, I’ve had an amazing year with travel to Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania, Australia (and South America in about a week). With that many miles under its luggage strap, even a bag that doesn’t earn a lot of points in a computer game can garner some wear and tear.
The handle split out on the way to Africa. There are no luggage repair shops in Liberia. You look for a shoe repair shop and hope for the best. My shoe repair shop was a traveling cart next to the bus station in Zwedru. Every night, the guy rolled his shop home. But, he fixed my handle for two dollars. I gave the guy an extra dollar as a tip. He’d never received a tip before. Well, I was simply delighted with the work. And, I’m guessing he went home with a smile on his face as well.
Seriously, what other reason can there be?
Anyway, I now buy my luggage at Goodwill. I’m quite happy with my ten dollar suitcase. Actually, my brother found my current piece of luggage. It was part serious gift and part joke. And, if my theory is right about baggage handlers and nicer luggage, there is a reason why my piece is holding up so well. It is the ugliest suitcase I’ve ever seen.
If you look at most people’s luggage as it goes around the airport carousel, you’ll mainly see varieties of black, blue and brown. Some people opt for bright colors. There are very few suit cases out there that are similar to mine, and I can’t believe anyone seriously buys them because they think it is a stylish choice. My suitcase looks like the fabric was removed from your grandmother’s sofa. It’s a floral design in red, green and beige. Truly an eyesore! Truly horrendous! But, I’ve come to love my little eyesore. And, I have to say, it isn’t too hard to spot when searching for luggage on those carousels.
If a ten dollar piece of luggage holds up on one trip, it’s money well invested. This one has lasted years. Up until 2016, I’d say this piece has been fairly indestructible. But, I’ve had an amazing year with travel to Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania, Australia (and South America in about a week). With that many miles under its luggage strap, even a bag that doesn’t earn a lot of points in a computer game can garner some wear and tear.
The handle split out on the way to Africa. There are no luggage repair shops in Liberia. You look for a shoe repair shop and hope for the best. My shoe repair shop was a traveling cart next to the bus station in Zwedru. Every night, the guy rolled his shop home. But, he fixed my handle for two dollars. I gave the guy an extra dollar as a tip. He’d never received a tip before. Well, I was simply delighted with the work. And, I’m guessing he went home with a smile on his face as well.
space
By the time I landed in Mexico, my little suitcase had weathered Moldova, America, Fiji, Nauru and Australia. It was time for a little more loving care. One friend directed me to a shoe repair shop on the other side of town. I knew how to take a bus part of the way there. After the bus ride, it was another ten blocks to hike. This shoe repair shop was better than a portable cart, but I seriously doubt if the wooden structure could handle a tropical storm. I went back two or maybe three times before I could finally collect my piece. Julio repaired a couple of corners with red leather for ten dollars. So much stronger! So much more durable! Couldn’t get any uglier!
However, the man only repaired two places and I needed at least six more fixed. It was time to look for another shop closer to home.
The next shoe repair shop was two blocks from home. This time, it was a concrete room, but it had to be some kind of storage area originally. Turning it into a shoe repair shop was somebody’s afterthought. But, for another ten dollars, I got a whole lot more leather and a renewed shot of life into my ugly little luggage. I know some day the wheels are going to break. Someday a baggage handler is going to earn extra points by breaking the stroller's handle. But for now, I’m going to enjoy my ugly bag for as long as I can. And, I’ve come to embrace the eyesore that it is. In one worn sport on the back, I asked the shoe repairman if he could cover it with a red leather heart. Fernando was happy to do something creative.
I gave this guy a tip as well.
However, the man only repaired two places and I needed at least six more fixed. It was time to look for another shop closer to home.
The next shoe repair shop was two blocks from home. This time, it was a concrete room, but it had to be some kind of storage area originally. Turning it into a shoe repair shop was somebody’s afterthought. But, for another ten dollars, I got a whole lot more leather and a renewed shot of life into my ugly little luggage. I know some day the wheels are going to break. Someday a baggage handler is going to earn extra points by breaking the stroller's handle. But for now, I’m going to enjoy my ugly bag for as long as I can. And, I’ve come to embrace the eyesore that it is. In one worn sport on the back, I asked the shoe repairman if he could cover it with a red leather heart. Fernando was happy to do something creative.
I gave this guy a tip as well.
space
