So Two GriFfins get on a plane…
Good news we made it! We also learned a lot. The first and most important is why did we pack all this stuff in suitcases!! We looked rather comical trying to manage 2 rolling duffels, 2 large suitcases, 2 roll aboards, and 2 backpacks. We had to stack it In interesting ways trying to balance one on the other as we made our way into GSP. I might have practiced some of the more naughty French words each time a bag fell off. In the end we made to the check in desk, where they validated our passports, visas, vaccination status and blessedly took the bags. I gladly paid that fee as I was delighted to stop carrying them. In fact I was so happy to be done with suitcases that when they offered free gate checking to our final destination, I decided to risk not having any clothes for a few days just for the ease of travel. In the end we won out and got to play with all the bags again in Clermont-Ferrand. At least that airport has luggage carts.
The in between times were rather calm we shared a meal in Atlanta and relaxed while we waited to board the plane to Paris. Our flight was uneventful, but we failed to get any real sleep despite our best efforts.
Navigating the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris is always a bit tricky as it is a maze to pass through immigration control and then to one’s connecting gate. We made it to immigration following the normal route that I had prepared Beth for in advance. Of course after that they decided to change everything and we ended up taking a 15 minute bus ride from the airport gate to where the plane was sitting on the tarmac. CDG is never a boring airport. When you come to visit, make sure to follow the signs and know your gate!!
The airport in Clermont-Ferrand is very small and easy to navigate. We just had to wait for baggage claim and were met immediately by a driver waiting for us. He drove us across the city to our apartment where we played bucket brigade passing one back the. The next through the series of locked doors to the elevator. We had so many bags and with 3 people the elevator took 2 trips to get us all. Beth’s “favorite” feature of our temporary apartment building is that all the lights are on timers in the common areas and that means they are off until you push the button. We got a small tour of the apartment and our driver was off and we were on our own.