July 15: Our Day in Paris (The Airport, That Is)!

Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 64

July 15
We were not able to make the connecting flight to Oslo so we spent most of the day at the airport in Paris. Al and Steve tried to sort out our tangled travel threads and figure out if and how we might now make it to Norway as expediently as possible. When we did not make the flight, our non-reimbursable tickets were voided and new tickets on another carrier had to be purchased.

The airport in Paris was not very clean and not very comfortable, but we made due and actually had a good time. Some of us shopped a bit in the few shops that were available in that area of the airport, and I purchased a small bottle of shampoo and some baby wash to use to freshen up in the restroom. I also came across a Paris shot glass for my daughter’s collection. There were really no worthy souvenirs, so I was a bit disappointed not to be able to make a Paris purchase for my granddaughter Alyssa & others. I couldn’t see carrying around French perfume and French wine for the next several weeks in the Arctic! I was already feeling a bit grungy and could only anticipate it getting worse! The only places available for us to eat were the little kiosks where some of the others bought some sandwiches and a glass of wine. There was also a Hippo Restaurant that did not catch my eye at first. It seemed not quite right to eat in an American-franchised restaurant while in Paris, but as the day went on I broke down. After all, Hippo was kind of a favorite of mine for a quick lunch when we lived in San Francisco. A couple of us went into the Hippo and it turned out to be a nice diversion. Though there was the typical American hamburger fare, there were also some French selections. We ordered a carafe of wine, some classic meat and cheeses with baguettes, and a shrimp entrée to share. It helped pass the time so we stayed munching for about two hours.

Finally, it was time to make it up to the departure gate where we took a group picture and some bought wine from the duty free shop. I really needed the restroom, so just before boarding I slipped out of the gate area to find a bathroom. I did not realize until the alarm went off that I had used the wrong door! I slipped back in, which was lucky, because they had just started boarding the flight earlier than expected. By the time I caught up, I was at the end of the group and the lady who had already checked our passports forgot that I was part of the group and that she had already checked mine. She asked me for my documents, which were at the bottom of one of my bags, so there I was digging, making reference to the fact that I was with the group and she had already secured us, and having to pee beyond all else. Two French ladies behind me were rather rude about the brief delay that was inconveniencing them while I tried to get to my passport, and I understood right then and there why we have an Atlantic ocean separating Americans from the French. I could have easily been rude right back to them but just at that moment I found the passport and just decided to smile and board the plane!

The flight from Paris to Norway was relatively uneventful and we arrived in Oslo towards evening. It was dusky, but not dark throughout the night. It will get brighter at night the further we travel north. When we finally arrive in Svalbard, we will be so far north that we will be closer to the North Pole than we will be to Oslo!

The Oslo airport, in contrast to the one in Paris, was clean and efficient. We claimed our bags and walked across the street to check into a Radison Hotel. We anticipate a pleasant day tomorrow in Oslo, visiting Vigeland Park and the local area before heading off to Longyearbyen. Due to our travel difficulties, we will not be stopping in Tromso on our way. We still plan to on our return, though just for a brief layover.