Sixty-one in the Shuttle

Paris in less than two days - Episode One

Our team really maxed out the shuttle from the airport. Twelve of us, each with two large checked bags, and each with two carry on bags, plus our fearless driver, made for some extremely cramped conditions in our 15 seater shuttle.

Marvin anticipated seeing the driver holding a sign with Marvin's name on it, just outside the arrivals doors, but, alas, Marvin was off looking for a payphone when others from the team spotted the sign LUTHER, MARVIN. Okay, it was not that special, but I do watch lots of movies where air travellers see their names in print at the airport.

I had heard that Barb Barr was an important member of our team because of the French Connection, that is, the french language connection. Despite a three minute pronounciation dispute with the bilingual driver over one location name, Barb carried on a marvellous conversation with our friendly driver for nearly a half hour. Over the next two days, we came to appreciate and depend on Barb's linguistic gifts.

It was so cool to zoom up and down the freeway to our hotel in Paris. The sky was overcast, the traffic heavy and the sites intriguing. We sped past the Stade de France and soon found ourselves in view of the Eiffel Tour as we zoomed alongside the Seine. We finally stopped in front of L'hotel Grenille and began the long process of unloading the shuttle.

As I stood beside the bus during the unloading, a 60-something man walked by me, and with a loud voice shouted "PAR-DON". I stepped aside, not wanting to offend any of the locals. The driver then smiled at me and said "Welcome to Paris. The first Parisian you meet is rude!"

Nonetheless, it was great to be in Paris and we looked forward to resting for awhile after our overnight flight from home.

More later...