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Paris Olympics 2024
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Paris Olympics 2024

Jeff fulfills his long time dream of judging diving at the Olympics! Read more
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  • SiewchParis Olympics 2024Traveler
    I passed by the Olympic Aquatic Center, where Jeff was judging, on my way to CDG.

    An Unexpected Early Au Revoir

    August 2, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Our original plan was for me to stay in Paris until August 4th. That plan, however, came to an abrupt halt when our friend who was house sitting for us sent us a number of frantic messages while we were eating breakfast to tell us that three of our indoor cats had exploited a weakness in the fencing of their outdoor patio play area and found their way out of the house. Jeff and I initially decided not to cut short my stay, but, after Jeff left for the pool, I decided to return home on the next available flight because the cats would be more likely to come back into the house if I were around, and it wasn't fair to our friend to shoulder the burden of trying to get them back into the house. I also thought Jeff would be in a better position to focus on his judging if I were home to take charge.

    I found a same day flight that would only cost $471 more, and I decided to take that flight. I notified Jeff, packed up, and called an Uber to take me to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Along the way, I passed the diving stadium where Jeff was at.

    Jeff is in Paris until August 11th. I cannot even begin to describe how proud I am of him that he has persevered through some difficult circumstances to fulfill his dream of judging the Olympics. This has been a very special trip and one we won't easily forget. The fact that we got to celebrate Jeff's birthday and our anniversary on this trip made it even more special.    Read more

  • SiewchParis Olympics 2024Traveler
    AA151 at the gate in CDG.
    AA151 at the gate in CDG.AA151 at the gate in CDG.The Extime Lounge.My seat at the Extime Lounge, along with my last orangina.One final orangina at the Extime Lounge.The cabin ambience on board AA151 at boarding. I was surprised to board a darkened cabin.The cabin ambience on board AA151 at boarding. I was surprised to board a darkened cabin.Menu on AA151.Welcome drink and peanuts on AA151.Salad and smoked salmon to start my lunch on AA151.My main course of cod, shrimp, and mashed potatoes on AA151.Ice cream sundae dessert on AA151.Pre-arrival snack on AA151.Flight data on AA151 as recoded by FlightRadar24.Flight path of AA151 as recorded by FlightRadar24.My exit stamp from CDG.

    Paris to Chicago

    August 2, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    American Airlines AA151 | CDG/ORD
    Business Class
    Boeing 787-8 | N885BP
    ATD/1458 | ATA/1644
    Lounge: Extime Lounge

    Rather shockingly, my fare differential of $471 included confirmed Business Class seats on the Paris to Chicago and Chicago to Dallas/Fort Worth segments. Although American Airlines can be wildly inconsistent, when they are good, they are very good. Krista and Tina, the Business Class crew on this flight, were both exceptional. They addressed me by name and took an interest in me and what I was doing in Paris. It doesn't take much to make a person feel validated and "seen", and this crew nailed it. This is easily one of the best flights I have had on American.Read more

  • SiewchParis Olympics 2024Traveler
    View of the tarmac at ORD from the AA Flagship Lounge.
    View of the tarmac at ORD from the AA Flagship Lounge.My shower stall at the AA Flagship Lounge.Flight info for AA1463 as captured on FlightRadar24.Flight path of AA1463 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Chicago to Dallas /Fort Worth

    August 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    American Airlines AA1463 | ORD/DFW
    Domestic First Class
    Airbus A321-200 | N534UW
    ATD/2155 | ATA/2359
    Lounge: American Airlines Flagship Lounge

    The transit experience at Chicago wasn't the greatest, but thanks to Global Entry and TSA Precheck, I got through with relative ease.

    I had a longish layover and I tried to get to DFW earlier, but all earlier flights were full with no First Class availability. But, there could be worse places to spend a layover than the Flagship lounge.

    Boarding my flight was a little frustrating because the AA app and the info displays all said that the flight was operating on time, despite the app also saying that the incoming flight would be arriving just minutes before scheduled departure. When I got to the gate, the display even said that boarding would begin in 1 minute despite there not being an aircraft at the gate. After our boarding time came and went, we finally got an update of a delayed departure. In the end we were delayed an hour.

    I don't remember much of the flight because I was tired. Service was perfunctory at best. When we were on our initial climb after takeoff, I kept wondering if the flight attendants had done a safety briefing because I didn't recall one. Maybe I slept through it. Regardless, I did fret a little wondering if the flight would have to land immediately because the safety briefing was not done.

    On arrival at DFW, I called my prebooked overnight accommodation and someone finally answered after 15 frustrating minutes of calling. They sent the free shuttle to me and I arrived at the Super 8 soon after. The hotel had seen better days, and the sheets reeked of bleach. But, I still had a decent rest as I was tired.    Read more

  • SiewchParis Olympics 2024Traveler
    I was seated at the exit window on AA123.
    Inflight view on AA123.Inflight view on AA123.Flight info on AA123 as captured by FlightRadar24.Flightpath of AA123 as captured by FlightRadar24.

    Dallas/Fort Worth to Honolulu

    August 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    American Airlines AA123 | DFW/HNL
    Economy Class
    Boeing 787-8 | N118AB
    ATD/0915 | ATA/1239
    Lounge: Admirals Club Terminal A

    I was pleased to secure an emergency exit seat despite the last minute booking. I was seated at the exit window, which isn't my preferred seat. Unfortunately, this flight was uncomfortable because of the size of the other two passengers in the middle and aisle seats - they both needed seat belt extensions. But, the flight went smoothly, and I was home by 1pm.

    While I was in the air between CDG and ORD, our house sitter told us one cat returned, so we only had two outside. As I settled in at home, one of the two who we believed to be outside suddenly appeared; she had been in the house all along and she had been hiding. This left one cat outside. I set a trap and by 8pm I had trapped her. So, all's well that end's well. Even though I missed out on two days in Paris, I do not regret my decision to return home early as it was the right thing to do.    Read more

    Trip end
    August 3, 2024
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