On the way to the airport, I received a good dosage of advice/lectures from my lovely parents. My dad made a big deal about me blogging about the differences between the flights of American airlines versus other foreign country's. I am currently sitting in an Air France plane, and this is my list of observations that I have notices so far.
Differences:
1. The lady who took my boarding ticket talked to me in French, no English whatsoever.
2. Everyone has French accents.
3. There is more hair gel among the flight attendants especially since the majority of them are men, and not women like in the states.
4. The plane is HUGE. I have never in my whole life been in a plane this large. Even when we took a Continental flight to Peru, or plane was not this big.
5. The lack of air vents is also something that I would like to fix, but the cabin is kept cold.
6. I can watch movies in FRENCH (not that I am going to since I have to expirence with the French language, but still…it’s cool)
7. The screen for each individual is also not quite as nice as the Continental ones, but on the flip side, the both offer the same service.
8. Complimentary items on Air France such as eye covers, ear plugs, and sanitizing wipes among other things.
9. They offered hot chocolate.
10. Dinner and breakfast was served. Was not ready for breakfast.
11. To get to each terminal, you take a bus on the outside of the airport by the planes. You do not change each one through the inside of the airport.
12. Airplane food in Europe is much nicer and tastier.
13. Dogs are widely accepted and brought with people as they walk around. (Mainly in train stations, but still this is not somthing that people in the United States approve.)
13. Dogs are widely accepted and brought with people as they walk around. (Mainly in train stations, but still this is not somthing that people in the United States approve.)
(sorry if my list sounds repetive, im super tired as I type this)
I am done with my compare and contrast now, and I hope it was good enough to satisfy my father ;). My day has been tiring. Lots of lines and waiting, and I still have a 9 hour flight to France to complete, a 6 hour wait in the French airport, then a 2 ½ hour flight to Rome, and finally another 2 ½ hour train ride to Florence. This is going to be a blast.
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After 9 hours of a flight, a baby crying, 3 movies, and Benadryl to make me fall asleep, we landed in Paris, France. I absolutely love the airport here. Although, I am not sure which one it is...(I will need to figure that out later). Rachel and I buddied up and searched for a place to go to lunch, well I guess it is technically breakfast since it is only 9am here. Of course we passed the healthier salad and sandwich places, because we both knew what we wanted. FRENCH PASTRIES. We chose the restaurant Paul, and tried to decipher what all the labels on the food meant since they were all written in French. In addition, it did not help that the people working the restaurant only spoke French. Luckily though, after a lot of finger pointing, laughing, and confused looks, we managed to acquire our food. I got a quiche and some pastry filled with apple. They were both delicious. It is official I am in love with French pastries. Now only 5 more hours of waiting in the airport til our next flight to Rome.
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Our flight to Rome was uneventful and lasted less then 2 and a half hours. In Rome we met up with our National Geographic leaders-- Carolyn and David. Both are super cool and sweet. With them leading the way, we navigated the Roman train station, and spent 25 minutes on a train travelling to the heart of Rome. From there, we transfered trains, and finally were on our to Florence. Arriving after approximatley 2 hours, we met Massimo (sp?) our National Geographic Photographer at the Florence train station. After introductions and regrouping, we started heading to our hotel around 9:30pm Italian time. Carolyn and David quickly made room assignments, and with my luck, I am assigned to the top floor. The top most floor is the the third, but trust me it feels a lot farther away. Along with Claire and Demeris, my roomates, we each got to carry our own bags (mine being a nice and heavy 47lbs) all the way up the steep and narrow stairwell! It was exhausting, and put me out or breathing just proving the point that I am in GREAT shape. On the plus size, this trek to our room everyday will surely help us get a good daily doasage of exercise since we have been eating our own weight in food. Our next step was to go get gelatto at a nearby gelatteria. I picked out cone and procceded to fill it with strawberry or fragola and mint chocolate chip...cannot remember its translation...gelatto. Of course they were both delicious and left me wanting more. The group then returned to the hotel, and took showers which were the most sought after things since we traveled for about 24 hours. I never have felt so refreshed in my whole life. In fact, I did not even mind the very cold water I had to shower in. Now I am off to bed, and cannot wait to start our adventures in the morning. Ciao!
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