5:30 AM - Just woke up, and finished packing. Got a call from Mom at 6:00 AM to make sure I was up and noticed I missed a call from Betty last night when I hit the sack early (sorry Betty!)
Called ahead to Concorde La Fayette hotel reservations in Paris -though I paid for my room for Friday night (and until next Sunday) in advance, not arriving until Sat at 7 AM and I want to make sure they know I'm still coming! It seems all is well.
Read a few reviews that state that this 1,000 room, 4-star hotel (one of the biggest in Europe) isn't worthy of all those stars, in the opinions of some. However, when people write that 'it wasn't close to any attractions' I had to laugh (seriously, you've never heard of an online map before?). I don't tend to take reviews seriously unless the comments are often repeated. Many warn the rooms are small and dated, sometimes even dirty (which I will not tolerate for 9 days!) and the hot water temperature can fluctuate so dangerously that kids shouldn't shower or bath alone. I'll be watching those things for sure. However, it's pretty hard to take seriously ones that can't even spell Concorde La Fayette, however. I'm guaranteed a room a view of the Eiffel Tower or a beautiful church named Basilica du Sacre-Couer (Sacred Heart), so we'll see.. what we see!
Sigh, those poor Americans. They and the French just love to hate each other. Unfortunately, the Americans of late have given the French reason to dislike them, and the opposite is also very true. I'm wearing a Canadian flag pin on my shirt just in case my English targets me as being an American - I also read that I need to specify (if people ask) that I'm not from Quebec (the French don't like them much either).
6:23 AM - Cab just arrived 10 minutes earlier than what I had requested this morning, so was rushed out the door and hardly got to say goodbye to Sammy. I hate when that happens - hard to leave her alone at age 16, but at least I know a pro is taking care of her. She starts getting blue when she sees luggage. Sigh - the guilt begins.
On the way to the airport, I asked the cabbie to take me by my Diamond Centre office to get more business cards for Dr. Paul Keown, our Division Head, who accidentally forgot to bring with him from home the ones I gave him to take.
6:50 AM - Just arrived at the airport, and flight isn't until 8:50. However, I noticed when I did online check-in this morning that they seemed to indicate it was a direct flight to Paris, though I'm flying to Montreal first. When I got to the airport I did electronic check-in and it wouldn't even let me print my luggage tags. What's up with this?
I was told I had to go to a special line for my flight 884 to Montreal/Paris, and started getting nervous. Found out it was just a special express line for those of us going all the way to Paris, which was a positive, not negative, thing. I was told I don't have to get off the plane even when we get to Montreal, and we will clear customs in Paris. Very quickly got through the short line - the main Air Canada line was already close to 50 deep. Whew, missed that bullet!
Saw a cute statue I had to share (see picture right, click for larger). Fortunately I've never been that stressed taking a flight, but have seen many who are. Security was very busy but still got through in only a few minutes.Learned today that they now allow liquids and gels under 100 mL in your carry-on (lip gloss, hand lotion, etc). I always thought that was a stupid rule to begin with - you can buy a can of Coke in their vending machine past security but can't bring an unopened one from home, as if they check every can of Coke in an airport for explosives! Seems more like a plan to guarantee sales for past-security businesses than anything else.
8:35 AM - just boarded the plane. This is an older, renovated 767 with new seats, lighting, Enroute system (thank God!) and higher overhead bins, just like the Australian flight I was on, only it's 2, 3 and 2 seats across, not the 3, 3 and 3 seats going to Australia. I'm in seat 31H - an aisle on the right outside.
8:55 AM - Captain came on as we prepare to leave, and he said our flight will be 4 hours, 50 minutes to Montreal and we are leaving only 5 minutes later than planned so doing OK. Weather was cool this morning so needed a light jacket but wearing shorts as it is supposed to be quite warm (22C) in Paris.
I was worried it was such a short lay-over both ways through Montreal, but we were told we don't need to change planes either way. We stop only to load passengers to Paris, change crew and refuel, and of course some will make Montreal their final stop. I am booked in the same seat all the way to France.
9:06 AM - take off! Man, this is a powerful plane - not sure I remember a take-off with that kind of thrust and speed before - seemed like we were on the runway for only 10 seconds (that may have actually been true, but I'm not nerdy enough to actually time it) and the incline seems almost 40 degrees, but probably not. I don't remember climbing this fast either, and I've flown a 'few' times!
9:10 AM - Oh oh. Small scare here. For some reason they rebooted the Enroute system when we were taking off and for 5 minutes, mine was the only one that didn't come back on around me. Finally it flashed on and I breathed a sigh of relief. It would have been a lonnnnnnnng day without it. I remember on the flight to Australia that a few couldn't get theirs to work at all, and they were given a partial flight credit. 15 hours with nothing to do on a plane would make me go postal, refund or no refund.
Man the guy behind me desperately needs a Tic Tac - his breath is melting the back of my seat. Wish that oxygen mask would pop out right about now... Actually scratch that - I've never been on a flight in my life where that happened, and maybe we'll keep it that way.
They are doing for-purchase food now, and once again 1.5 hours before Montreal (ie 3 hours+ from now). They don't do it twice going to Toronto, so this is welcomed. I actually like the food on Air Canada - they have everything from Quizno's and Second Cup sandwiches (and they're reasonably big too) to Harvey's breakfast (yah, no thanks - they can't even do a hamburger right).
9:32 AM - watching a story from History Channel on the plane system about the Smithsonian Institute's Natural History collections. Loved those museums when I went to Washington, DC (especially the free admission!). Apparently they have 500,000 different species of dead birds filed away in drawers, and 35 million fish and invertebrates in glass jars? I'm sure that is important research (and contains 80% of the world's species) but seriously what is wrong with these people? Gross - and I was just going to order a chicken sandwich. I also remember now why I hate fish.
9:36 AM - Stewardesses walk around with little printed menus to order items from, rather than just having to look it up in the Enroute magazine. Nice touch. I remember flying on Air Canada many years ago when I was able to order from a menu and got Cornish game hen stuffed with rice, and you ate with real utensils (and that was one of several choices - I still have that menu in my trunk to present day). Sigh, those were the days. If you remember this too - you're old like me!
Just saw a video with Phyllis Diller telling a related joke in Vegas:
'You know you're old when your walker has an airbag, and someone comments on how much they love your alligator shoes...I'm trapped on a plane through 9 time zones - cut me some slack!
And you're barefoot' (drum roll)
10:11 AM - Nice surprise! I ordered a Second Cup roast beef sandwich (with both Swiss and cheddar cheese on a ciabatta bun) and apple with caramel dip (I really like those!) and was going to pay, but the steward asked if I was Mr. Jorgensen, then said my food was free all the way to Paris. Even though this is domestic, they consider it international for me and the others who are going all the way. I can get a snack and sandwich twice on this portion alone, plus full meals on Paris flight! Same coming back.
This airline impresses me more each time. Had a not-so-great flight with my friend Chris coming back from Vegas - they announced food for sale on the plane, and then never brought any around. Most American airlines (much like American Express) is something you actually can leave home without.
11:20 AM (2:20 PM Montreal) - switching to Montreal time now in this blog. More than 1/2 way there and seat belt sign hasn't come on once. Never flown this long and this smooth in Canada that I can recall. Everyone's quietly watching TV (see picture left, click for larger) - it's like flying in a library! Loving it so far!2:50 PM - spoke too soon - hitting a rough patch now. Glad I hit the bathroom awhile ago.
Wow hit the jackpot with movies today - they have some blockbusters that are still in the theatre (not sure how they do that, they aren't even on DVD yet!) like Star Trek, Terminator: Salvation, Night At The Museum 2, and many more. I can catch up and save about $40 at the theatre!
I started with Star Trek. This may rile Star Wars fans, but this is without a doubt the best sci fi movie ever made - period. I rarely remember a movie where I had goose bumps and/or my mouth dropped so many times in a movie. This is a must-buy DVD - amazing star-studded cast introduces us to the original 1960s Star Trek crew (Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Chekhov (who was the only weak spot I thought), McCoy, etc.) when they were young and starting out. Up with Batman Begins and Superman Returns as the best remake of a movie franchise ever made.
3:50 PM - Captain just came on to make an announcement about turbulence - and for the first time maybe ever, I heard it in French first. Guess I'll have to get used to it.
4:18 PM - landing in 10 minutes. Ship steward made a long announcement in French that I know was not fully repeated in English, with a bunch of flight numbers, etc. mentioned, and no idea really what he was saying. Now I'm getting a bit scared about France! Only 19C here and a bit grey outside but not raining.
4:35 PM - just landed and told by the stewardess that we must get off the plane 'for grooming' (I trust she was referring to the plane, though some people could use a reminder). Again, she made several minutes of announcements in French and 1 minute in English - now I'm ticked off, but no point saying anything. Not sure Montreal is really still in Canada anyway?
It was funny, just as we were touching down, the Star Trek movie was ending - the music was perfectly timed to touch down. Spock ends the movie with the famous mission of Star Trek to "boldly go where no man has gone before" and I looked out the window and thought - "I wonder if he was referring to Pierre E. Trudeau International Airport"?
4:42 PM - an American Airlines plane was just at our gate and apparently when they left, something happened at the gate (no idea, the announcement made almost no sense) and they said it would take 10 minutes before we could get out. Not a big deal - we don't leave until 6:10 again anyway. Honestly, I haven't been to this city for probably over 10 years and no real desire to even be here now, so glad it's quick.
4:50 PM - what is it with some people's fear of using deodorant - sadly falling into stereotype here, I'm afraid? Guy standing beside me now (actually, can't really decide if it's a he or a she) needs a Tic Tac AND a good hosing down - standing beside me with an arm above me and I thought I was going to be sick - serious BO issues.
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