Missing Luggage Experience

Suitcases packed, and I'm off to my destination of Dominican Republic. Everything going well, that's until I realize that my luggage is missing

I reminisce how I got here, well not the whole story but the flight to Punta Cana airport. The airline, I will remain nameless missed placed my luggage. The worst thing was too was because I packed my suitcase with no intention of returning to North America. Those suitcases had a lot of new shoes, clothes, and important personal documents. The plane lands safely, the sounds of clapping take over as its common for Dominicans to clap when it is a safe landing. It’s my first time in Punta Cana airport, and it seems small for an international airport. I figure maybe because it is mainly for resorts in the area or something. I did not pay much thought to it tho, I am only here to land, grab my luggage and leave. Now I am waiting for my luggage at the baggage claim. From being one of the first people at the baggage claim, to now one of the last, it becomes clear that my luggage is not there. I must also add that my flight was a connecting flight, and more likely that is where the mistake happened.  

Punta Cana baggage claim

Now it's time to speak with someone in-charge and figure this out. I always just felt that any moment they would bring it out, and everything would be fine. I spoke with one person, who brought me over to talk to another person, who then had me wait to only bring me back to the original person lol. They all speak English, some better than others, but they were busy with now the new arrivals coming in. I had to start rushing them more, because this whole time I have my lady with a driver waiting for me outside in the arrivals area. I still was not panicking about losing my luggage, but the thought now enters my mind. This has never happened to me before, I have only heard about people's luggage being stolen, and the airline losing it. I put noticeable tags and stuff on my bags so that I can spot them from far in case someone grabs the wrong ones. I'm extra careful like that, and I was watching out for them. 2 hours later they locate my luggage, and they say it is not in Dominican Republic, and that it will be arriving tomorrow. My luggage did not make the flight, I guess. I told them that I cannot hang out in the area until tomorrow, and that I was not going to be staying in Punta Cana. They probably thought I would be staying in one of the resorts. They then assure me that they can bring the luggage to me wherever I will be. Well, I told them that I will be 4 hours away from Punta Cana airport and they tell me that it's fine. This whole time my lady and the driver are wondering what is going on with me, so I was updating them through the process.  

typing information

So, finally now they want to take down my information and the address that I will be staying at, and a phone number to reach me at. After giving them all that is needed information, I finally enter where everyone is jumping in taxis, buses or being picked up by loved ones. Crowds of people walking in every direction and then a man from a distance with his loud voice says to me “Taxi?” I told him I already have a ride and he replied laughing “you look Dominican.”  How he said it made me laugh and eased my mind, that laugh took my mind off my missed placed luggage. As I am walking with a big smile on my face, fresh off laughing at a joke. Smiling while walking away, I then see my lady and the driver. The driver was probably thinking wow this guy is beyond ecstatic to be here lol. 

Dominican flag

We leave the airport and begin our journey to where would become home. The aggressive driving here is more worrisome than the plane flight with turbulence. The tailgating and cutting off cars, honking, but it works because there are rarely any accidents in Dominican Republic. We drive through La Romana, a Province with some of the most luxurious resorts in the country. La Romana is known for its beaches, hotels, water sports, and Casa de Campo. Luxury homes, Casa de Campo is known for often hosting A-list celebrities such as Micheal Jordan, Jennifer Lopez, Julio Iglesias, Jay Z and Beyoncé. We drive through Boca Chica, known for the beach, also located in that area are many Professional Baseball Academies. MLB teams have good relationships in Dominican Republic, and they are developing players in these locations with their own academy. It was a nice drive, a sunny day, and the cool breeze. I was feeling good to be here in Dominican Republic. Constantly reminded that I am here with every time I see the flag at various locations. For a foreigner being in a different country and watching the flag blowing in the wind is always special. It takes you back through the journey of how you got to this country, especially if you never envisioned being there. You never know where life will take you, it's best to be open minded and take on the journey. The newer you will thank the old you for accepting change.

my first meal in DR (la bandera)

Now was the most anticipated part for all of us after being hours without eating. We pulled up to a nice traditional restaurant in Santo Domingo, that had a really good “La Bandera” (National dish of Dominican Republic) that consist of stewed chicken, white rice, and flavored red beans. Sitting down there under the roof top of this airy restaurant, feeling the Caribbean breeze blowing, while looking at the water view straight ahead made the experience. This was my first meal in Dominican Republic, and what a way to start. I totally forgot about earlier about my misplaced luggage. This meal and scenery took my mind off everything, as I was living in the moment. After the delicious meal, we got back on the road, continuing the drive to our destination, my new home in Dominican Republic. 

Update: 3 weeks later they brought my luggage, and we gave them a tip. Everything was there, accept my halls, mints and gum packages lol.