Things one forgets between travels.
Airports in major cites are huge. I appreciate the effort most airport architects must put into design and execution. They could be sadist or comedians...perhaps a bit of both. The hike to gates and to customs and baggage can be measured in miles. Or so it seems. Wear comfortable shoes.
Taxi drivers work hard. Most come from war torn or impoverished countries. Many had to leave their home of birth to stay alive. Our driver to LAX was very friendly and asked us many questions. In the twenty minutes it took for him to get us to the airport we knew his history. He came several years ago from Afghanistan with his wife and one daughter and five sons. In his country he was a successful businessman selling fur coats and hats. There he worked 5 days a week. Here he works 7 days a week with long hours. He speaks 5 languages. His wife lavishes love on his two grandchildren and spends "too much money" on them. He tried having a shoes store...lost his shirt. Now he pays $5 k/month in rent in Torrance, CA. He was sweet and kind (maybe a story teller) so I tipped him generously. Was I suckered?? Hey, who knows!!
Jet lag is real! Long haul flights are exhausting and even in fabulous business class it is difficult for me to sleep. People who do sleep make me envious. Thankfully the movies are plentiful, the food delicious, and the stewards are attentive. I felt spoiled.
Don't expect everyone to speak English. Because I spend a fair amount of time in Mexico and have two Costa Rican grandchildren, I speak some Spanish. But now I am in Paris and "Si" and "gracias" must be exchanged for "Merci" and " We". A Hard habit to break.
In big cities real-estate is expensive and land is scarce. Hotel rooms, even in expensive hotels, are tiny. The beds are often too hard or too soft. Windows don't always open. The artificial air is dry making my skin dry and itchy. Pack light, bring lots of cream.
The food in Paris is ..."Muy Bien" oh, wait,.. I mean.. "Manifique"! Absolutely delicious! The money is in Euros. Remember your ATM card. You'll need it to get money for tips and small purchases. Everywhere, but the good old USA, uses Celsius and metric measurements. Find apps.
Getting from point A to B is not for sissies. But for me the reward is worth all the hassle. Can't wait to hit the streets today. We need to explore and taste all that Paris has to offer!
This is wonderful to read keep up the good work!
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