27/6/02 Versailles, France (Phillip)
Let me tell you about the fun time I had getting here and to catch my
$7 flight! I was running really late getting from the center of
London to the airport. But I thought I had given myself enough time
to get me there an hour before take off. I was wrong... trains were
running late and slow. I eventually got across on the tube to the
train station I needed for Luton.
Well, such as luck would have it, the trains were running late. When
I was sitting in the station I recalculated how long it was going to
take and panic set in. I realized that I would make it to the train
station near the airport only 15 minutes before departure! Not
good... There was nothing I could do except sit on the train and pray
for a delay! When I finally got to the airports train station
it was 10 minutes before departure. I ran off the train, pretty much
already resigned to missing my flight, and ran to find a taxi (the
free bus was empty so it would’ve had to wait for all the passengers
from the train). Luckily a taxi appeared from nowhere and I flagged it
down. Frantically I said "Airport departures fast!", but the driver
turned around and asked if I had ordered the taxi. So I lied..... He
took me to the airport where I jumped out and ran as fast as I could
still praying for delays... Of course there were queues and no line
for the Paris flight (it was now 8:45 and my flight left at 8:50!). I
ran to customer service and he casually asked me to wait. Watching
the time tick by I did. Eventually he sends me over to an empty line
and says that she’ll help me.
Again the lady was very calm, eerily in fact, but then I found out
why, my plane had been delayed by 2 hours and so I could still get
on! I thanked God and retreated to departures.
That’s not even half the story though! Meanwhile; unbeknownst to the
passengers. The airport terminal in Paris was closing! There was an
identical flight to Paris leaving at the same time mine was supposed
to (it was delayed from a couple of hours prior). So they patiently
waited (Flic says she was trying to look as pregnant as possible)
until everyone had debarked and finally was informed that was the
last flight and the terminal was closing. The later flight (mine) was
cancelled.
Unfortunately that wasn’t true. I did try to phone my mum to let her
know my plane was delayed but her phone was constantly busy. So I
gave up and sat down. Chatted with some of the other bemused
passengers, most were panicking because by the time we arrived public
transport in Paris Airport would be finished.
Anyway, we finally board about 2 hours late. Easyjet has open
boarding meaning you just grab any seat you want. I managed to lose
the lady I was talking to in Departures; she wasn’t so nice, and
spotted a gorgeous girl and sat next to her (don’t even act surprised,
you know me better than that :) So I chat to her and first she seems
nice. But then I realize that she seems to hate everything, America,
England, babies, flying etc.... its still an amusing flight though.
By the time we finally arrive in Paris, the terminal is closed. The
wee bus from the plane drops us at immigration except there's no one
there! The French start banging and yelling and my friend translates.
I suppose its all that post-world cup anger built up in this
country :) Some police finally arrive and let us through to an empty
terminal. and no sign of Felicity.
Well, I already knew I had forgotten to bring her number, so as my
fellow passengers fight for taxis or a place to sleep, I find an ATM
and get cash. Except of course phones here don’t take cash! My friend
(never got her name, oops) offers me her phone card but eventually we
get my credit card to work and I phone my mum. No answer, not good.
It was after midnight in London so I knew she had to be there and I
kept calling. Eventually I get her and get Flic's number. My mum tells
me that everyone had been told that the flight was cancelled! Called
Flic and we decide it’s easier for me to get a taxi (she lives about
50km from the airport). I have my French friend, who I appreciated at
this point, explain to the driver where to take me and I say goodbye
to her and off I go. Finally arriving around 2am! Long day!
Well that’s 5 countries I’ve been in in less than a week! Thinking of
going to Belgium tomorrow for a day. John arrives tomorrow night so
I'll show him Paris this weekend. I just hope his flight is better
than mine!
Have a wonderful day and don’t forget to watch the World Cup Final!
Posted by Admin at July 4, 2002 12:49 PM