I am currently writing this post from the Terminal 2B arrivals lounge of Paris Charles De Gaulle airport, where the local time is now 12.45pm. It should be noted at this point in time that I have successfully completed my first “all-nighter”, having avoided sleep since yesterday 11am, UK time.
So I’ve arrived and I’m sitting waiting on my travelling companion, who doesn’t arrive until 5pm tonight, so I’m twiddling my thumbs so to speak. What better opportunity to let all the good folks back home know that I’ve arrived safe and sound?
Firstly, I thought I’d describe the flight to Paris. If I was going on first impressions, I would have told you that it was crap. The aircraft, an Avro RJ85 (pictured) was very small and cramped, and my “window” seat didn’t actually come with a window.
Oh and the air hostess who welcomed me onto the flight looked like she’d been skelped in the face with a kipper, but I suppose you would too if you were working at 10 past 6 in the morning.
However, the flight had it’s definite highlights. During the early stages of take-off, I had occasion to turn around and look out the window behind me (the woman in the seat behind me obviously paid more money for her seat than me, she was blessed with a window..) and I was just in time to see Edinburgh disappear beneath us. The flight was still in the middle of the night, so a bird’s eye view of Edinburgh lit up, in a fashion fairly reminiscent of an oversized Christmas decoration, was magical.
Shortly after take off, a trolley trundled down the aisle, and offered complimentary breakfast juice and a chocolate muffin to every passenger- totally free-, which I felt was a nice touch. And it has to be said, that’s the nicest tropical juice I’ve had for a long long time.
The strong winds caused a lot of turbulence in the air during the flight, and the fairly cramped conditions did make me feel slightly claustrophobic, but in this instance, I think the positives outweigh the negatives meaning, yes I did have a pleasant flight thank you very much.
Just a couple of highlights so fair:
I ordered my first ever Espresso (never again, it was horrible but at least I tried it)
I found a Starbucks at the airport. Happy Ewan!!!
Attempting to speak French to a shopkeeper, only to later read on his name badge “I speak English and French”. D’oh!
Avro RJ85
P.S. I got off the plane in Paris and was dismayed to find it raining heavy and gale force winds battering the place. I thought Hurricane Bawbag had followed me. I think it’s died down slightly now.
just to make you seem less remote from mum could you sendher an invite to subscribe to this blog… …i can text you her e-mail if you wish
allo allo….tis me Dad…trust you to find a starbucks…good lad…les blues may keep hurricane bawbag now that it has followed you……thanks for the RJ85 pic,where did you get it
please please keep up with these tolle lege posts son.so we can follow your adventure….see you soon love Mum & Dad
Bon séjour Ewan. Good to have some Scots visiting us
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I didn’t like espressos when I started drinking coffee. I didn’t like coffee to be honest. But with time you start to appreciate it and now espresso is my fav!
How amazing to find some French people actually reading my posts! I hear the University of Strathclyde is lovely. I’m studying in Tours, and I have to say what a lovely city!
Well, if you ever plan to come to Nantes or Angers for a day trip and don’t know what to do there, just call me. I’d be happy to do the guide.
That does not sound like the kind of flight I’d like!! I started going to coffee shops just recently. Expresso and Americano are the only ones I know to order!!