Airport, Taxi, Real Estate and Roof Guys - What a Great Bunch! - Thursday, 16 September

 

Once again, a Paris airport employee took pity on me when he saw me trudging along with my cane and (relatively small) carry-on near the end of my long walk and tram ride from the arrival gate to passport control.  He was on the other side of a big glass barrier and beckoned me over to ask if this was my final destination.  He asked why I didn’t request a wheelchair to meet me at the plane and pointed to the LONG line snaking around in front of the passport windows, adding that I could avoid that line almost entirely if I had someone pushing me.  (Which I knew of course, having been through this process many times and always deciding to walk it to get the kinks out after a long flight.)  He said “wait there for me, and I will take your bag and walk you through the handicap line.”  So I let him!  He walked me all the way through passport control to baggage claim, grabbed my suitcase for me, and walked me to the taxi area.  During our time together, I’m sure he told me 25 times that on my next trip I should tell the travel agent that I wanted a wheelchair to greet me - that it was free - that I could avoid the long line - that it would be much easier for me - that on my Paris departure I could go to the Delta desk and ask for a wheelchair - etc. etc. etc.  On repeat, I swear, 25 times.  I’m not complaining, though, this nice man went way out of his way to help me.  And this is not, in my experience, a rarity among CDG employees and among Parisians in general - they are, on the whole, most gracious to strangers, especially those who are a bit mobility-challenged! 

Traffic into town was bad this morning - some accidents along the way clogging things up, and there seemed to be a larger-than-usual number of giant trucks.  So it was a 90-minute ride, but I had a safe and efficient and helpful G7 taxi driver, and his car was very comfy, enticing me to doze off a couple of times!

I texted my Airbnb host, Julien, along the way to let him know my ETA.  He was right at the front door of 26 rue de Rivoli when I pulled up in the taxi. A really nice guy with impeccable English.  He handled my bags for me and walked me through all the features of this small but very comfortable 6th floor apartment (yes, there is an elevator!). 

And Julien provided me with a plain and a chocolate croissant, orange juice, jam, and Keurig-style coffee pods to tide me over until I could hit the grocery.  Aahhh…just what I needed!  Then a long nap on the very comfortable bed.  Life is good.

Check out this view of lovely Paris rooftops from one of my windows.  Just to the left of and above center you can also see a couple lovely Parisian roofer dudes!  They're in dark clothing against a white chimney.  (Click on any photo in this blog to see a larger version.)