November 2017

Paris, France

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Trip start
November 5, 2017
Destination Unknown Paris, France
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2:00 PM
- ☁️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 148 ft
- United States Telephone Playground 40.73939, -73.7519440°44’22” N 73°45’7” W
Ready to Go
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
Joe picked us up right on time, at 2:00. It's lightly raining now so hopefully that won't cause any delays on our flight. We've tried going to Paris two years ago but had to cancel our trip because, on the day we were scheduled to leave, there was a big terrorist attack in Paris and Kathy was afraid to go. Now, it looks like we're getting our chance to see France at last!Read more
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Destination Unknown Paris, France
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2:24 PM
- 🌧 57 °F
- Altitude: 30 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.64132, -73.7781440°38’29” N 73°46’41” W
We're at JFK
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 57 °F
There wasn't very much traffic on the way to the airport, probably because it's Sunday, so we got here a lot faster than we were expecting. Kennedy airport is huge! Even after entering the grounds, it was still quite a way to get to where we had to go, Delta Terminal 4. This place is about the size of a small town!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2:46 PM
- 🌧 57 °F
- Altitude: 30 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.644837, -73.77650940°38’41” N 73°46’35” W
Terminal 4
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 57 °F
Joe just dropped us off at Delta Terminal 4. It's still not very crowded here. Hopefully that won't change when we go in and start dealing with all the lines that all airports seem to have. I'm really glad how smoothly this trip has been going so far. Admittedly it's just begun, but so far, so good!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2:52 PM
- 🌧 57 °F
- Altitude: 59 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.644389, -73.78105840°38’40” N 73°46’52” W
Ready to Check In
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 57 °F
Checking in was fast and was a smooth process. The closest we had to a problem was that our boarding passes printed out very lightly. The Delta agent at the desk reprinted them for us because, according to her, the TSA people would have sent us back for new ones if she didn't reprint them. I'm not sure how true that might have been but I know that those TSA people seem to like finding ways to make trouble for people. So, if it really was true, you've saved us a lot of time and frustration. Thanks, Delta!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 3:11 PM
- 🌧 59 °F
- Altitude: 56 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.644356, -73.78095140°38’40” N 73°46’51” W
Checked Bags
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
We normally never check our bags in, opting to just bring them with us as carry-ons. For this trip, since it's international, we're allowed to have one free checked bag each. It's such a pleasure to not be carrying bags around with us as we go through the airport. It will be nice to not have to struggle with those overhead bins, too. This is the first trip for my bag, the darker red one in the back of the photo. I hope it holds up well!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 3:50 PM
- 🌧 59 °F
- Altitude: 49 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.643021, -73.77882740°38’35” N 73°46’44” W
Waiting
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Our bags are checked, we made it through the TSA security checks, and walked to Gate 38, where we were supposed to board our plane. Of course, Gate 38 was the furthest one away from where we started out. Just once, I'd like to fly out from the first gate we pass or maybe even one that's just halfway down the terminal rather then the entire way. At least we got to get on several of those walkways. I like those because it always feels like we're walking so fast. Well, all that's left for us to do now is wait.Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 4:06 PM
- 🌧 59 °F
- Altitude: 26 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.642895, -73.77884640°38’34” N 73°46’44” W
Gate 38
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
We must be early because it's not very crowded yet. We had no problems getting seats and were surprised, and happy, to find that all of the seats were equipped with charging stations so we were able to top off our phones. That's a good feature to have. Now, if Kennedy Airport would start offering free WiFi, having to wait there would be a pleasure!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 4:10 PM
- 🌧 59 °F
- Altitude: 26 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.642895, -73.77884640°38’34” N 73°46’44” W
Where's the Plane?
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
We must be early because it's not very crowded yet. We had no problems getting seats and were surprised, and happy, to find that all of the seats were equipped with charging stations so we were able to top off our phones. That's a good feature to have. Now, if Kennedy Airport would start offering free WiFi, having to wait there would be a pleasure!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 4:19 PM
- 🌧 59 °F
- Altitude: 26 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.642895, -73.77884640°38’34” N 73°46’44” W
Up on the Big Board
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
According to the flight information board, our plane is right on time. How can that be if the plane isn't even here yet? I guess it's going to get here, quickly fuel up, and then take off again. I'm surprised that Delta is such a busy and fast moving company. I always thought that once a plane few for several hours, it would just be parked for the rest of the day so the engine won't be strained. I guess that I was wrong.Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 4:31 PM
- 🌧 59 °F
- Altitude: 30 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.642846, -73.77909840°38’34” N 73°46’45” W
Our Plane
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
The plane is here and we're ready to go. We're starting to hear announcements that our flight is overbooked and Delta is looking for volunteers to give up their seats. They are offering $900 and a guaranteed seat on a flight tomorrow. The flight in question is a connecting one though. It will go to Boston and then on to Paris. The money would be nice, but it's not enough to entice us to take their offer.Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 4:44 PM
- 🌧 59 °F
- Altitude: 49 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.642964, -73.77894240°38’35” N 73°46’44” W
Deal or No Deal?
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
The offer to give up a seat on the plane is going up. It just recently went from $1200 to $1400. We're feeling tempted but ultimately decided not to take the deal since we've been waiting for this trip for two years now. We really wanted to see Paris so much!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 5:05 PM
- ☁️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 49 ft
- United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.642964, -73.77894240°38’35” N 73°46’44” W
Boarding
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
The plane has started boarding now and it's obviously a sold out flight. Kathy said she heard that yesterday's flight to Paris was cancelled which was why it's such a hot ticket today. Just after we checked in and started boarding the plane, we heard an announcement that the offer for giving up a seat was now $2000. We were shocked! This was the amount that Kathy said she wanted in order to give up her seat and she looked very tempted to take it, even though we were already on the jetway and ready to board the plane.
Ultimately, we decided not to take it. The money would have come in handy for funding next year's vacation, hopefully to China, but we decided that since that offer came in after we had already checked in, it wasn't something meant for us. We're going to see Paris today, and have a great time!Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 6:16 PM
- ☁️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 236 ft
- United States Lyons Meadow Pond 41.374578, -72.40427841°22’28” N 72°24’15” W
Selfie Time!
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
We've just recently taken off and we're feeling so happy and excited to be on our way to France after waiting two years for this trip to happen. I really like this picture of Kathy. She looks so young and beautiful! I guess she looks so good because she's so happy. I hope she's always feeling this good.Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 6:43 PM
- ☁️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 177 ft
- United States Neary Mountain 42.165272, -71.07493242°9’55” N 71°4’30” W
Snack Time
November 5, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
The food service for our flight has begun. It's just snack time right now and a meal will come later. The snacks being given out are almonds and a drink. Kathy selected a Coke with no ice and I picked ice water, my old stand by. I'm surprised to see almonds being given out on this flight. Has Delta gotten too classy for peanuts?Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 8:54 PM
- ☁️ 43 °F
- Canada Pats Lake 45.417398, -65.45292945°25’3” N 65°27’11” W
Movie Time
November 5, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
Kathy was very tired at first but after the drinks and nuts were served, she seems to have gotten a second wind. She's turned the seat's entertainment center on and started watching a movie called "Something Borrowed". I've never heard of that one before. I hope that she enjoys it.Read more
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- Day 1
- Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 9:11 PM
- ☁️ 45 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Canada Cape Traverse Cove 46.227023, -63.66490446°13’37” N 63°39’54” W
Dinner is Served
November 5, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F
Despite the very unappetizing look to this dinner, I have to admit that it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. In case you can't tell, this is herb chicken with mushroom sauce. I ate all of my chicken but not much else. The best part, for me, was the Colby Jack cheese and the brownie for dessert. I'm not feeling empty anymore but, unfortunately, I'm feeling far from satisfied. I don't think that airline food is ever good.Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 4:08 AM
- Altitude: Sea level
- North Atlantic Ocean 56.970173, -40.19810756°58’13” N 40°11’53” W
In the Exit Row
November 6, 2017, North Atlantic Ocean
We're sitting right next to the emergency exit door of the aircraft. This is called the exit row. The good part is that we have so much extra leg room and there's none of that claustrophobic feeling from sitting in the tight rows of the airline seats. The bad part is that, being right next to the door, we don't have any windows near us. Also, in the unlikely event of something happening, we're supposed to be assisting in saving other passengers and helping them get out of the plane. I'm not sure how legally binding that rule is because, honestly, if anything ever did happen, my main concern is for Kathy and myself. I'm sorry, but that's how I feel.Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 6:14 AM UTC
- 🌙 52 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Celtic Sea 50.765695, -10.77993350°45’57” N 10°46’48” W
Breakfast Now?
November 6, 2017, Celtic Sea ⋅ 🌙 52 °F
We've just been served breakfast at 1:44 in the morning. The local time is really a little past 6:00 AM so I guess that Delta is trying to help us get used to the time difference between Paris and New York but it's just so hard to eat a meal at this hour. I don't have to worry about eating though. The food was awful. Even worse than that herb chicken that we were served before. Delta's breakfast was a cheese biscuit that was very dry, apple butter, a slice of Monterey Jack cheese and unflavored yogurt. I ate everything but the yogurt. Not because I enjoyed it but because I was so hungry. Kathy ate nothing. She didn't like anything that was served. Hopefully we'll get something good to eat when we land in Paris.Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 8:43 AM
- ⛅ 37 °F
- Altitude: 354 ft
- France Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport 49.009709, 2.54751149°0’35” N 2°32’51” E
Charles de Gaulle Airport
November 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 37 °F
We've landed, waited on a very long line at the French immigration area to get our passports stamped, and now we're in the baggage area waiting to pick up our luggage. We've done so much walking already and we haven't even left the airport yet! I feel like I've seen more of this airport than any other one that I've been to.Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 8:47 AM
- ☀️ 37 °F
- Altitude: 354 ft
- France Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport 49.009715, 2.54748549°0’35” N 2°32’51” E
Getting the Bags
November 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 37 °F
We didn't need to use any of these luggage carts, since we like to travel light and our bags have wheels on them anyway, but the colors and patterns really attracted me. I saw some people using these with suitcases piled up so high, sometimes using multiple carts. That's just crazy! I don't know why some people insist on bringing so much stuff with them when they travel. Lighter is definitely the way to go!Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 9:33 AM
- ☀️ 41 °F
- Altitude: 253 ft
- France Parc-des-Expositions Railway Station 48.97353, 2.5140148°58’25” N 2°30’50” E
Parc des Expositions Station
November 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F
We're now on the RER train going from the airport to the city of Paris. The RER seems to be kind of like the Long Island Rail Road in that it goes from the suburban communities into the main city. Our ride on this will be around 45 minutes and then we'll need to switch to the Metro, France's version of the subway.Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 9:52 AM
- ☀️ 43 °F
- Altitude: 171 ft
- France Canal Saint-Denis 48.89787, 2.3841548°53’52” N 2°23’3” E
Riding the RER
November 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F
We've nearly reached Gare du Nord, the station where we get off the RER and switch to the Metro. It's felt like a long ride but it hasn't been all that bad. I'm thinking that it feels so long because we're exhausted and feeling eager to finally get to Paris. I'm glad that Kathy was able to get a seat that faces forward. For some reason, she likes to sit facing the same direction that we're traveling. I remember when we took the train from the airport in San Francisco, she couldn't get a seat facing the right way and was nearly sick on the train. It's kind of like a car sickness or something, I guess.Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 9:57 AM
- ☀️ 43 °F
- Altitude: 131 ft
- France La Plaine-Saint-Denis 48.90413, 2.3529648°54’15” N 2°21’11” E
Mapping it Out
November 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F
For most of our time on the RER, Kathy was studying the maps for the Paris Metro to make sure we knew where we were supposed to be going. To get to our hotel, we had to ride on two different Metro lines and she didn't want us to get lost.Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 10:23 AM
- ☀️ 45 °F
- Altitude: 240 ft
- France Paris Nord 48.88096, 2.3553148°52’51” N 2°21’19” E
Gare Du Nord
November 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
We're off the RER and now on France's famous Metro. We're going to have to ride two different lines to get to our hotel and we can't wait to get there. We had to carry our bags up and down so many flights of stairs to get to the train platform. We need to rest soon!
I think that this station is under construction because the walls look like raw, rough stone. It's as if the station is inside of a cave! I hope that all of the stations aren't like this!Read more
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- Day 2
- Monday, November 6, 2017 at 11:06 AM
- ☀️ 46 °F
- Altitude: 151 ft
- France Paris 09 Opéra 48.87159, 2.3436848°52’18” N 2°20’37” E
Checking In
November 6, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F
We finally made it to our hotel! Checking in was very easy since the desk clerk spoke in fluent English, despite having a somewhat thick accent. We had two separate reservations for this hotel but they were able to combine them into one so we wouldn't need to change rooms in the middle of our stay.
As soon as we got up to our room, we decided to sleep a bit, since we hadn't really slept on the plane and was feeling so exhausted. We were both asleep almost as soon as our heads hit the pillows!Read more
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