Well, Catania’s Fontanarossa airport did not disappoint. It’s never been a good airport, and though it’s better, it’s a case study in disorganization. We actually had a bad meal at the airport. But enough about cheap airlines, long lines and bad food, we made it to Paris!
Weather is lovely, trees in bloom, April in Paris. We entered our room, and again a tray of charcuterie was before us, with chocolates from Grouper and the Aunties. My two dear friends, Bethany and Amanda, who flew to Florida to ensure the well being of our sainted cat, sent this welcome tray. We were so tired and so hungry, we devoured it in seconds. Good bread, good butter, many hams and gherkins saved the evening.
The room, though charming and two stories, had an air conditioning problem. It is wonderfully unseasonably warm in Paris, but that made for a difficult night’s sleep. In the morning I summoned my best Parisian indignation and told the front desk about the problem. In cruel English with a haughty French accent I was questioned about my ability to open a window or turn on the air conditioner. I stomped my foot and demanded it be fixed or we moved to a different room immediately. So different than Italy, but it was sort of a fun game. Then I proceeded to breakfast.
Paris is a gorgeous city, and it is a multinational city. There is every kind of food imaginable, and every type of human that God made. Very different than Sicily. These are the restaurants in the first blocks of walk.
We walked 9 miles so far today and didn’t get to the Eiffel Tower! The gardens, the buildings, the bridges, the cafes. It was a stupendous day which included some day drinking.
We headed back to the hotel to organize our flight check in and the manager of the hotel came over to us. She apologized about the AC and had it fixed and comped our room. Parisian indignation for the win!
Civilized Cross Many Countries 