Memorial Day Monday. As much as I enjoyed my time in Europe
I was very happy to be flying back to the United States. After all, there is no
place like home.
We were up early. Our flight was 1:10 p.m. out of Charles
DeGaulle airport. Our transfer was picking us up at 9:00 a.m. (this was
confirmed on Saturday), so we were in the hotel lobby by 8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m. came and went. I was starting to check the time every
30 seconds. I like to be at the airport early, remember??? I also had no
perception as to how long it would take to get to the airport. At 9:15 the
hotel clerk came over, took our confirmation and called to see where they were.
Apparently the shuttle was stuck in traffic so they were going to send a
private car. Ok. Just get here soon.
A car was there literally 7 minutes later. Go figure.
We made it to the airport and started the process of
actually getting to the gate.
We checked our luggage where we had to show our passports
and tickets. We went through immigration where we had to show our passports and
tickets. We had a bite to eat at Starbucks where we had to show our passports
and tickets (just kidding about that one). We headed to the escalator to get to
our assigned gate and had to show our passports and tickets. We finally got to
the actual security check, where I was once again singled out and patted down,
quite thoroughly I might add.
Once you are through security you are at the gate. There was
a bathroom and a quick mart type of place for last minute water and snacks. That was it. It
isn’t like Newark Liberty Airport where you can shop and dine. All of that was
outside security.
We settled down to wait when I saw the people I would be
sitting next to on the plane.
How did I know? They were a young couple and between them
they had 2 very large carryon suitcases, a full-size backpack, a large tote bag
and a large purse. Yes, they were THOSE people bucking the carryon rule system.
I just knew they would be my seatmates.
Time to board, we are group 5, waiting, couple is waiting.
Group 5 is called and they proceed with us. At this point they made the
announcement that any one who wanted to check additional luggage could and
thankfully, they did. So it put them in line behind us.
We board. Lauren and I have aisle seats across from each
other. I don’t get comfortable because I am waiting for the others in my row.
And I see the couple coming. Looking. Moving. And bingo, they were my
seatmates. Fortunately they ended up being very low maintenance. As in they
didn’t get up once during the 9 hour flight. And it was a looonnnnng flight.
We landed on time at 3:30 p.m., got our luggage, went
through customs and we were home. Well almost. I still had to drive home.
This was where Lauren and I parted ways. She was taking a
taxi to her apartment and I had to go to the parking lot where my car stayed
all week. I was a little sad, after all we had just spent every moment of the
last 11 days together. I am not being sarcastic here, I was sad, we travel so well together and we had such a nice time. This
also marked “getting back to reality”.
Off she went, my shuttle picked me up to take me to Park
Plus where my car was. I was home about 45 minutes later.
As I pull into the driveway what do I see? My neighbor
leaving dinner for me! Thank you Lynne!
And reality was waiting for me when I walked in the door. Mail and bills piled on the dining room table.
My cat wanting my undivided attention. A lawn that needed to be mowed. Plants that needed watering. A
suitcase that needed unpacking and laundry that needed to be done.
What did I do? Had some of the dinner, looked at the
suitcase and pretty much went to bed. My body was still on Paris time so it was
about 1 a.m. for me. And I had to go to work tomorrow…UGH….
But this isn’t the end people. I have a few more thoughts
and observations to share, so stayed tuned.
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