In the arrival hall, I figured my bags would take awhile. I'd carried with me quite a few spare parts for my little sailboat, including a pole about 7 feet long that I'd packaged, with the help of a good friend in Washington, inside a plastic pipe sealed at both ends with tape. No way that pipe would fit on the conveyor, so I inquired and learned that "bulk hold" items would be delivered soon.
There was an announcement, and my name was mentioned. At the information desk I was told that one of my two checked bags had not made the flight, but would be delivered the next day. I guessed that the pipe didn't make it, but I guessed wrong when a young man walked up to me with the pipe on his shoulder. A form had already been filled out for me, so I signed and was through customs and out to the car 5 minutes later.
The next afternoon, Sunday, I received a call from a woman who identified herself as Faustina. She said the bag was on the flight, but I should call her cell phone that evening to confirm. When I called, she said she'd seen the bag and it was awaiting pickup.
On Monday I drove to the airport, about 15 minutes from my home. A baggage claim official walked me back to the storage room, and indeed the bag was there. Another form, and then a customs official came to interview me, asking for my passport, which I'd neglected to bring. "Well sir, you really should bring your passport next time." She checked my ID, glanced quickly at my bag, and encouraged me to have a good day.
Back at the house, I discovered that all three bottles of wine had arrived in the bag, unbroken, along with additional boat parts and everything else. The bag had not been locked. Of course there are lots of shops in Accra that sell all kinds of wine from all over the world, including some pretty nice ones from France, so even if the wine had been lost, I could have easily replaced it. But this was special wine I'd just purchased while on holiday with my mother in Saulieu. I was indeed having a very good day.
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