Air Travel

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, which does not sound that nice to those who have been to one in the states. However, the one in Paris is very nice. It has a very good resturant, which I did not expect from a HI Express. The room was also nicer than expected. There was a couch for Charlie to jump on.... Charlie and I enjoyed our stay.

In the morning, we got up really early to leave for the airport. The taxi driver dropped us off at the curbside. Once again, NO Air France baggage people. I stood in the same place so long that people started to wonder if I was alright. One guy was pushing another cart, but he looked like an airport worker so I stopped him. He would not help me until I pulled out some money. What great people, huh? He wheeled two carts inside, knocking Charlie off the cart upside down in the process.

We did finally make it to the Air France check-in counter. It was the WRONG Air France check-in counter, but the guy felt sorry for me so he agreed to check me in anyway. He also preceeded to inform me that only 3 bags are allowed on flights to Africa. I had 6, plus Charlie. He called every other person working for Air France over to help figure out what to do. He eventually decided that he would have to let me on since I flew from Atlanta with the bags and already paid for the bags. WOW. He was really nice, though. I was lucky to have gotten him. After I got checked in they came and took Charlie. Charlie wouldn't swollow the sleepy pill, so he was WIDE awake.

I got through security at about 7am, with 3 hours to wait before my flight. I did a little shopping in the duty free stores. I had thrown so much stuff out of my bags before leaving the states, I had no face wash or makeup at all! Once they called for boarding, we all boarded a bus and drove way out to catch the plane. It took 10 minutes by bus to get to the plane. CDG is crazy.

On the plane, I was seated next to a member of the Congolese National Football Team. This was pretty cool, until he called all of his friends over there to huddle around my seat (I was pinned in the window seat). I got asked out by 4 of the team members. Fun stuff. I kept calling for the attendent, but no one came.

Once in Brazzaville, we got off the plane and boarded another bus. This time, I got to work the system. I got to board the VIP bus, because of my new passport. The workers did not want to let me into the VIP lounge because I was wearing flipflops. Oops. In the VIP lounge someone takes your passport to get the thing stamped for you. It took a while to get mine back, because the guy put mine at the bottom of the pile.

Once I got the passport back, I had to go pick up my luggage. Matt was there to meet me with a Congolese guy who would help with my bags. We got to the baggage claim, but my luggage never came. Finally, we saw Charlie. They put him on the luggage belt and someone tried to take him off before we got him. I have never yelled so loud. Grrr. After Charlie it was forever before we got my luggage. Because I had checked in so early, my luggage was the very last to come off the plane. We did end up getting all of it though. (once again, no one checked Charlie's paperwork?!?)

Then, we ventured out into Brazzaville... more to follow

Wow, when you arrive at CDG airport in Paris you go straight to immigration. There were 2 people working in immigration. One attendant for EU passports, and one for all others. Our flight held 435 people, and we were not the only flight arriving at the time. There are more immigration attendants in african airports!

Once through immigration, you go to collect your bags. There are NO Air France baggage porters. Awesome. Pushing two carts does not work. Someone from Air France did offer to help me when I was on the verge of tears. I picked up Charlie, who looked shell shocked but ok. The Air France lady helped me get outside to the airport shuttle. (By the way, no one checked Charlie's paperwork...?)

The first hotel shuttle won't let me on with Charlie. The second guy was very helpful. He told me that Air France holds baggage in the airport. Wouldn't it have been nice if an Air France person told me that before I left the airport?

The hotel was really nice, and they did room service for me since I had Charlie. There was a big park next to the hotel where we went walking.

To be continued...