Unexpected baggage

THE definition of a guilt trip, courtesy of that great knower-of-all-things, Mr Google, is intentionally to manipulate another person to feel guilty about something they may (or may not) have done. But what about the guilt trip that is 100% your own fault and involves overseas travel?

- Pamela Goodman

I ask this because I have become a recent sufferer of what I call baggage anxiety, induced by a trip to Rome last year. As you may recall, 2022 was the summer of discontent as far as European air travel was concerned, plagued by endless flight cancellations and delays, staff shortages and utter mayhem at airports. More than once my travel plans went awry and more than once I found myself twiddling my thumbs for hours at a baggage carousel waiting for my suitcase to arrive.

Why check your bag in, I hear you cry? Why, indeed? But there are some holidays where needs must and the trip to Rome was one of those, requiring walking boots and outdoor gear to cover every eventuality for days spent tramping the Apennines.