So... somehow in transit in Frankfurt we had to go through at least
2 bag checks. My memory is a bit hazy. We went in and out of several terminals! My super dooper new light weight bag is rigid when it is full but a bit floppy when open . One half has a zippered mesh covering enclosing the contents , the other just an elastic strap, hence big things eg rolled shirts and trouser in the open section.When I was hurriedly trying to get my liquids out ( no time before had they wanted liquids out, but I had always taken then out, this time i had not) I got bumped and the unzipped section where the liquids were was sort of uppended and some contents- some small things - were scattered everywhere, as in 'smalls'. Maybe that is an English term, but you get my drift. I remember thinking that I was too tired to care but them telling myself to get over it because I had 2 more flights to go.
So next was Paris. Again I had to change terminals, but the signs were excellent and easy to follow and the train between the terminals was fun. Finding the right gate was OK, but I had to walk a long way, again, not a problem, but they changed the gate number at the last minute and I had to walk more - back the way I ahd come. Never mind. But I didn't want the extra. We waited, waited for ages in a small space. Only seats for about 2/3 of the people. Then it was announced that montpellier airport was still shut but they hoped it would be open in time for us to get to MPL that night. Great, I thought. That day the transport unions in france were striking. The guy from Paris told me about it the previous day. Apparently there had been trouble in MPL early in the day and the previous AIR france plane to MPL , in the morning, had been cancelled when the airport was closed. About an hour later it was announced that MPl was open and the flight would board. The flight was completely ful and they asked for volunteers to put their cabin bags into the hold. I doubted my ability to manage putting my case into the overhead locker if at the same time I had to try and make space for it .beside, I figured they wouldnot loose it. So i decided to volunteer my bag. (An aside - I was pleased that up to then I had had no difficulty putting my bag into the overhead locker. It only weighed 6.8kg. A couple of times I nearly came undone when someone came to help, put their arm up and hand onto the bag and I almost lost my balance. ) - I also thought that those bags put on last would come off first. So when the bags started to come out , and they were definitely larger than cabin bags I started thinking - does a strike of transport workers include taxi drivers .? . Will they know the plane is chokers.? Then my bag came. No other cabin bags with it. Maybe I might get there tonight? So i went outside with my bag. Saw the taxi rank. Saw about 10 people near the rank chatting. Thought , Oh dear, not a taxi for me.. Got closer to the people. Asked , in English, no hope of getting any French out, said " Is there a queue or anything. " Go right ahead " said one of them. For once in my life i didn't say Are you sure? I just quickly went to the nearest Taxi, threw my bag in the boot just as the driver was getting out and breathed a sigh of relief. I had managed , using my new esimm to message the owner's partner ( as instructed) that I was delayed, then later that I was boarding, then later that I had arrived. He arrived at the apartment soon after I did, showed me around. Soon after he left I went to the big supermarket around the corner. The apartment is lovely, small, but with lots of pot plants and a small balcony ◇ 2nd floor) overlooking a sort of un used ( i think) lane way. It is lovely in the sun in the afternoon.
Good sleep but not long enough.
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