Flakes and Lifts (two kinds) - Friday, 20 January

Guess what meteorological condition greeted me when I arrived in Paris this morning.  If you guessed "snow" you get to eat a croissant! (Sorry I can't deliver a free one to you, but at least you have my permission to indulge in all that buttery goodness!)  Hey, I thought I had escaped the flakes for a while.   

But the skies were bright blue by the time I got to my apartment.  

And for those of you who were worrying, I'm happy to report that the elevator is working!

If you know someone who might need mobility services at the airport, there's a new scheme!  On the past couple of trips I was met at the gate by an airport worker with a wheelchair, who wheeled me down concourses, down and up elevators, onto and off the tram, down the "exclusive" speedy line at passport control, and then to the baggage claim.  This time, I walked to the elevator just outside the gate, rode down to the tarmac, and stepped onto a small shuttle which drove the few of us gimpies a significant distance (it's always fun to see the underbelly of an airport) to the lower level of the passport check area.  Then get a lift there from one of the employees to head up the elevator and continue the rest of the process.  Slick!   

Hoo boy, what a difference the season makes!  Rather than long snaking lines at passport control for "regular" people, there were just a couple lines with 5-minute waits.  Where are all the tourists?  Waiting for fairer weather?