The Art of Living Someday Today

The trip to the airport was uneventful. Our friend Bill drove us to Toronto so we didn’t need to park our car. Nice beginning.

It was strange to not have a boarding pass prior to arriving at the airport. It took a minute to figure out how the kiosk worked but it was as simple as inserting my passport into the machine. These new fangled things are quite marvelous. Just as I experienced success a very nice man helped finish the job.

Next, as we were getting our bags tagged we were offered a one day pass into the Air France Club and leaped at the opportunity. We arrived earlier for this flight than I have ever experienced before. Even after going through the international security process we had nearly three hours to board.

There was tap beer, self serve which satisfied a few in our group. There was a fully stocked bar, soft drinks and even a cappuccino machine.

Little sandwiches and a small salad bar took the edge off very well. Best of all there were comfortable cushiony chairs all along the bank of windows overlooking the international runway at the Toronto airport.

We’re going to France!

We decided to save the business class fare and spend that money on things we will not be able to fit into our luggage on our way home. But, it’s a full plane. Will we regret that decision?

I sat in a middle seat next to my hubby who had the window. I’m not sure we slept much but I do know we had great service and decent food. Eating on a plane, remember? It seems like such a luxury these days. The meal included wine, if requested, and of course we did. We ate a chicken in red wine sauce with noodles. If on land I would say “meh” but up there I would say “yeah!”

There was a TV screen, like JetBlue, but not with live stream.

It’s been a few hours now and getting used to French being the primary language is still a challenge to my ear. We are landing soon. All of the planning and anticipation is over and this real life adventure is underway.

Postscript:

Things I’m glad I packed:

Two Little Umbrellas

Sunscreen

Large scarf

Light rain jacket

Band-aids

Benedryl

Electric converters

Quick recharge tube – camera died a few times so the quick charge was indespensible

Things I packed and did not need:

Bug spray – needed it a few times but glad I did not wear it all of the time

Clothing detergent (small packets of Woolite) and clothesline (packed just right and had a few things laundered on the boat)

Things I either forgot or did not bring enough of:

Forgot my make-up. Fortunately there was a Sephora right next to my hotel on the Champs-Elysees

Needed more toothpaste – interesting trying to figure out what I needed in French

Next up: July 3 – First day in Paris