Day 8: Where we say au revoir Paris and merci for the wonderful weather. (Sunday, May 27)
I woke up a bit early this morning so I could go for a run around the neighborhood. I had intended on getting one done at DLP too but just couldn’t get up earlier than we were already doing. I had a half marathon on June 10th and while we’d been walking a lot I knew a run would be better. It’s also to get the blood flowing and everything loosened up before sitting on a plane for several hours. I went for half an hour around the quite neighborhood doing two laps so I was always where there were people and a few things open just in case. Our pocket wifi was only through the end of Saturday so I wouldn’t have a way to contact anyone.
It was peaceful out because it was before 8 and it was nice to run without listening to anything but things slowly starting to happen. It was already warm and humid so I knew it was going to be a warm day again. That made me glad we were leaving since it had been so hot the day before.
Back at the hotel I got ready and finished packing. We weighed both suitcases and were under weight, yay!
We went downstairs, checked out and got our taxi which was there early. It was an easy process which was good because the airport got confusing.
We got confused as to which terminal at Orly my flight was out of so he dropped me at south but I should have been with my friend at west. Once I got that information I found the little train they have that runs between the terminals and made my way over to the west terminal. Then I couldn’t find where Icelandair had their check in, the signage in the airport wasn’t very good. I finally found someone to ask and he directed me there.
They didn’t start check in until 3 hours before the flight according to the website and since there’d been no traffic we’d gotten to the airport earlier than we needed, which I was glad for in the end. I waited in line for check in to start using the airport wifi to catch up on the Disboards. Once checked in my first stop was the airport shop to get a snack and look at last minute souvenirs. I finally found a hoodie that I liked so I got that but no snack. Next up was to get some macrons for home and one for that day then I made my way to security.
Security here was the same but you kept your shoes on. Still took electronics and liquids out. The one thing I didn’t like was they made me put my passport and ticket in the bin. I’m used to getting to hold onto my id and ticket when I go through security. Once I had everything repacked I looked for some lunch. I was in hall 4 so I only had a couple of options and both involved sandwiches. I got chicken on a baguette that would have been better heated up but it was still good. I got a large bottle of water too. I never did find the snack I wanted, there weren’t many options once you were through security and it seemed they only liked peanut m&m’s not regular.
My flight to Iceland was a little late leaving but it didn’t affect things on the connection. It was cool getting to see the Eiffel Tower from the air too.
I promise it’s there
The row across from mine was empty so once we were in the air the two people sitting next to me got up and sat there so I had the row to myself
It was great, I just wish it had been when I wanted to sleep on the way there.
When we landed at Iceland I was happy to see that we were pulling into a gate and that I wouldn’t have to go out in the wind and the rain again. Since we were flying in from a Schengen country to one I didn’t think we’d have to go through passport control again, but I guess I had to since I was leaving the Schengen. It was just as quick as the last time though she asked me where I’d been. And the smart thing about the airport is you go right from passport control into their duty free/Iceland shop and to where the main food place is, which isn't how it was connected from the US.
I was able to get a few things from Iceland, including some chocolate so we can compare to it to the French chocolate bar I got, and some chips and a coke for the plane. I had preordered Icelandair’s cheeseburger trio for the flight home since I didn’t know if I’d have enough time to get food at the airport. I probably did but would have had to eat it standing up or wait until I was on the plane and it would be cold.
They announced boarding and got everyone scanned and into another room and then we stood there waiting for the plane to finish fueling before we could board. We had a jetway but we had to walk up the stairs to it. There was an elevator for those that needed assistance.
I got settled into my row 12 seat and was ready for the flight only to have a lady ask me if I wouldn’t mind moving to the back of the plane so she could sit with her husband. Yes I would mind and no I won’t move, I picked this seat for a reason and I have preordered my food. She seemed a bit annoyed but my thought is, anyone sitting in the front isn’t going to want to move to the back so ask the person in the back to move to the front. I’m always checking the seat map the closer it gets to my departure to see if I can move up closer to the front. They found someone in the back to move up to the middle seat next to me.
The flight was good and the burgers while smaller and more mini than I thought they would be were pretty good and filling. All four of the flights, even the ones that had kids on them, were all pretty quiet. It surprised me there wasn’t more talking or just cabin noise in general. It was a nice change of pace.
It was also neat getting to see Greenland, it was too cloudy on the flight over.
Always happy to see Mt. Rainier from the air
We landed in Seattle about an hour late since we’d left late. I was glad for Global Entry since I was hungry. This is also were I made the correct decision to actually declare my food, the cookies, chocolate and chips. They had a beagle out working customs while we were getting our bags and I figured he was looking for drugs or something more along those lines. Nope, he was sniffing for meat and who got flagged by the cute doggie, me! I had to do additional screening that put all my bags through another xray machine and the border agent asked me what food I had and I told her. Then she asked me if I’d eaten any meat today. Well yeah I had a chicken sandwich at the airport and a burger on the plane and she asked if it touched anything. My blanket was in my lap, my book was on the tray and my pillow was next to me so yes. She said ok that’s what it is and sent me on my way. I don’t know why anyone would want to bring meat back or why it’s such an issue but it’s a thing.
It was an interesting way to end the trip that’s for sure. We had a great time and while I’d go back to DLP tomorrow, now that I know I can get the macrons nearby, I’m not in any hurry to go back to Paris itself. I certainly didn’t catch the magic that many people do but it was enjoyable.
for reading. I hope you enjoyed it and it either helped with your trip planning, let you relive your trip or explore somewhere new.
Thanks for reading! Let me know when you start your TR so I can follow along. I'm enjoying reliving the trip but it's also fun to see what others did that we didn't or little things I missed seeing.
