Videos posted on other blog!

Go check it out!
http://melissainspain2009.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-tour-2009.html

Worst Trip Ever.

So apparently the group flight from LA to London (for the Madrid tour) had some major issues. First it was delayed. Then when they got to London (super early in the morning), their connecting flight to Madrid was cancelled to to weather. They had to wait in the airport for several hours. The group of affected students went together to the British Airways Kiosk and demanded that they be put on the next flight. They got tickets for the 10am or something like that. They waited until that time, then checked the screens only to find that it too was cancelled. Then they finally took the late evening flight and arrived in Madrid at 2am the following day, with little to no sleep for the past two days.

Then, when they got to Madrid, all of those students from the group LA flight found out their luggage was lost. Every single person, including 7 people here in Alicante, a few in Bilbao, and a few in the San Sebastian program, has been living on what they brought in their carry-on for the past ten days or so.

So, in the end, what I am trying to say is, THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T ME!

Read the following email (that we got today) from the Spain Director of USAC (who is stationed in Reno)

Hola Spain students,

I am so happy that everyone is settling into your new lives in Spain and that most of you are getting your lost luggage back. I’m very sorry for all the chaos this spring, but unfortunately, weather leaves us in unpredictable situations sometimes.

I want to let you know that if your luggage was lost, there is a good chance that you can be reimbursed for the clothing you had to purchase to make up for what you didn’t have (usually between $300 and $600 but varies on the each airline’s rules). For those who lost your luggage, you will want to file your own claim directly with the airline.

If you were on the group flight through Travel Cuts, you will file this claim with British Airways at: www.britishairways.com or locally with Iberia Airlines in Spain. You will want to use your claim number to receive any reimbursement. They will ask you many questions about your luggage and may ask for any receipts of purchases. I do strongly recommend to do this (even though it is a pain) so you can get some money to help you with the added expenses you went through.

Let myself or your Resident Director know if you have any questions. I hope you all are doing well and settling into your new Spanish lifestyle. I hope this was merely a rocky start to a wonderful semester!


Johanna Bailey
Program Advisor: Spain, Malta, Ghana & India;