Early in the morning I arrived at Amsterdam Airport. I opened my Delta app (when it comes to luggage and air travel I strongly believe in neuroticism) – and I saw that my luggage was delayed.
“We’re sorry bag #4006430632 has been delayed,” was the first message.
Second message: “Bag expedited on plane on KL 644 JFK-AMS” Third message: “Bag on plane KL 644.” At the baggage handling desk a woman advised me not to wait, but to go home, take a nap and wait for a text message.
I should not have done this, but that’s not important.
In the late afternoon I went to Schiphol, without having received a text message, a lady at the delayed luggage department said: “We have tons of suitcases waiting to be relocated with their owners, but take a look to see if your bag is here.” I found my suitcase.
In my mother’s house I noticed that the suitcase must have been opened by either TSA at JFK – although they usually leave a leaflet when they open your suitcase – or by Dutch custom officials. I’m travelling with two editions of Mein Kampf (a Dutch and a German one) because I’m reviewing the new Dutch translation. The German edition, which I had put in my suitcase underneath my underwear, was lying on top of my clothes.
But at least it was there, that was the main thing.