Ok, here we go. The most emotional part of a trip is always leaving. The trip is not over, but come on, the new stuff is Israel and I am sad to leave.

I am anxious about the stupid security check, want to get it over with, but sad to leave Israel.

Up to the lounge to get some breakfast and then back to the room to do some packing.

Prepped all that I could. Took the last of the pics, as far as Israel is concerned, and something said pack the camera, and I had a strong feeling there, so no pics of Ben Gurion, which stinks.

I did that last walk. Went over to the real Sheraton and walked around it, checked out their lounge and they were very generous, they allowed me to stay for a bit and enjoy the great views from their high level floor exec Haven. Some English businesspeople were yacking doing business, I guess they were there to prep me to return to the motherland.

Checked out the pool and the lifeguard, a Russky, offered me a chair, I said, nyet, cpaciba.
Very kind.

The Russian Embassy is right across the street so that is kind of cool. If they didn't require a stupid visa I probably would have gone by now! pazahlstah!

I then returned via the Promenade, down below. Didn't quite make it to the Hilton which is a fair distance but went toward the boats. Unlike in the movies where they have hung out at the pier, we, the lowly public, were denied access and so much for that.

For some reason, while I had felt relatively safe in Israel til now, I started to feel vulnerable.
It was weird. I was leaving in a few hours, almost out. You really did feel, as was the case in Northern Ireland many years ago, oh that was freaky, that a bomb could go off at any time.
Also walking past the parked cars almost made me feel, not really nervous, but aware, concerned. It was an uncomfortable feeling, to say the least. Hey, but I am almost there.

Several Israeli fighter jets flew overhead. I couldn't see them, I could hear them, and they are loud. Interesting and cool.

Over to our neighbor, the Crowne Plaza, to check it out. Similar lobby, a bit newer and cleaner. Restaurant on that level, newspapers, went upstairs to the lounge. Couldn't get into the lounge but could see it, could also see the Rennaissance right across and probably my room as well. Too intimate, I will tell you. My 3am balcony visits and all.

-Strange thing, I had a dream about this hotel last night, here at home, not kidding. -

I have no idea, but, moving on.

I hit the lobby and saw their conference areas. Was too lazy to go down to the pool, which looked good from afar. The last thing to check out was their gift shop and fantastic it was.

I finally found my Israeli flag, something I have always wanted. I have yet to unpack it but I already have a door for it. The Aussie flag is on the opposite door which then faces my South African flag. Nations unite.

Bought the flag, Israel shirts, X tra large, of course, LOL, ugh, even had a Tel Aviv Hardrock cafe shirt. I think I even have a Tel Aviv shirt, gotta have that. An Israeli walked right in and while she(cute) was helping me he cut right in and yacked at her in Hebrew. It was very rude. I guess that she humored him and took care of him quickly to get rid of him. Ok... Very sad. I just stood there, ah, doyee.

The credit card worked and I wished her my best. She is a very cute and sweet girl and was very helpful.

Then back to the Sheraton Moriah where I swear one of the Mossad (like the CIA ) was working the door. It was warm, he had a full coat on, buttoned, sunglasses, and he was not nice at all. I also had a bad feeling about him. So I showed him that I was staying there, he blocked me at first, then let me in, Ok....... ick The others were nice. Seriously, I could see him as a Mossad. Very different from the other doormen.

Then went to the Sheraton gift shop for that final purchase, they had way less than the Crowne Plaza but this I could put on the room. Extra Sheraton points, which still haven't turned up on my account!

I bought my first mezuzot, they go on the doorpost, hey why not, 2 of them in fact.
I started liking having one at my hotel room which I kissed each entry and exit.. Kind of cool. Funny, I never see it at the Synagogue. Go figure.

Bought those, some more postcards, and that will do it.

Upstairs to finish packing and we are done. Took that last look at my precious view. I will be back.

tear......

One more tv reference, if I may. There was a commercial that I just loved.

A young couple (teenagers) are on a date. He is turned toward his friends, whom she cannot see, they help guide him through the date, motion to take her hand, hold up the menu the right way, it was adorable. The couple gets up and the guys give a high 5, only to see 2 young women doing the same on the other side.

I get so fed up with American commercials, they are beyond ridiculous and stupid.
I change the channel the second they come on and the idea that someone gets paid for this crap is scary, not kidding. This commerical is brilliant and I was very impressed. Probably one of the best commercials I have ever seen.

Israel, briefly here, has some wonderful tv programs. Shemesh, Parnas in the Tavern, Lag B'omer(met one of the actors here in LA), and my favorite, Zu Artzaynu, all brilliant and very creative. Unfortunately, saw none of these while here, they are probably old. Thank you Israel Film Festival and Drishat Shalom.

Time to go........

Up to the lounge for that final chocolate pecan cake. You can check out here but opted to check out at the front desk, watching my time and wanting to get to the airport early.

I thank them warmly for their wonderful and outstanding hospitality. They wish me a good trip and that I come back, which I will.

Down to reception and to that same beautiful woman who brought me in in the first place. I go out of my way to be waited on by her. Paid $100 US, the rest on my debit card. All went thru, whewww. The Rennaissance not taking the certs put me off by over $300/400. Also, I had about a $100 US in extra expenses here. Naughty me.

Also, fyi, if you rent a car in Israel, they authorize your card at US $2,000. I couldn't do that. OUCH Just so ya know.

I filled out the comment card and thanked them dearly, shaking hands with the staff. I hate goodbyes, they are awful.

Out to a taxi and Mr. Mossad gets me a taxi, Ben Gurion, Toda.

We make the same journey toward Ramat Gan.

A stupid bus cuts a turn and misses the light, makes all of us miss the light, too. Driver is not happy! Let loose that horn!! Yeah. I am loving it. Someone who drives like me.

By the way, everytime a bus came along and drove alongside of us, it freaked me out!!
I can't even imagine Jerusalem. Cringe.

It was that emotional drive, that farewell, always a pain. For some reason, Singapore was one of my hardest to leave, very sad. Everytime I would drive my rental car to Dorval in Montreal, very sad. Leaving Paris, si triste.

The taxi driver was cool, some English. I asked how much, he gave me a ridiculous number, like a $1,000 US, then laughed.

On to the highway to Ben Gurion. We talked a little, I took my last look at Tel Aviv.

A car almost hit us and he was cursing at him, then saw his sign, " Oh, security! it figures it is security!!" then cursed the guy, I loved it! This guy was fun. Mr. Security idiot just drove off.

Back to the open lands and interesting highway signs. Most are in Hebrew and English, one was in Hebrew and Arabic, no English.

He offered to take me to Jerusalem, even the outside of it, just to see it, I said no, wanting to get to Ben Gurion and he said ah, don't worry, check in will take 5 minutes. NOT! for us foreign people, for the Israelis yes. So I passed and explained that now I have incentive to come back.

We hit the Airport checkpoint and he said Shalom, the guy waves us on. This is easier than LAX, lovely. So we Yanks are going overboard!?

Then you can see the new terminal. The ELAL hangars. Then our terminal.

Tropical trees abound and a big parking lot in the middle. I would expect more security, but figure it is hidden.

He drops me off. He charges more than the other ride, I still give a good tip.

I like him.

Off to get a cart and then find an entrance. Half the doorways are blocked, ugh.

The entrance was the final seen in 'Besame Mucho.' Kind of cool.

---

Leaving Tel Aviv Day 4 Wednesday part 2

Ok, the infamous 'Israeli security check.'

Before we depart, some background. Many of you know about this (BS) firsthand and some of you HATE it. Some know nothing.

Way back in the early days of Israel some Arabs decided to hijack planes. They took a plane to Uganda, 'The Raid at Entebbe', one of my favorite movies, they hijacked planes to Jordan and blew them up. Planes were hijacked, Israel saw a need for tight security, more than most countries in the world could ever imagine.

I will give you there is a need for security. Do the Israelis go overboard? Yes they do.

We were sitting at a Delta gate at LAX after a nice Thai dinner with Brian, my friend in Paris, and an American friend of his who lives in Europe. He happens to do business in Israel. Somehow the subject of the Israeli security check came up and I thought he was joking. He had to convince me he was actually serious.

The guys' travel agent mistakenly put on the same ticket Israel to Europe, he lived in Paris, then to Algeria.
Well, needless to say, the Israelis didn't like that all too much. He was questioned to death, in private, for over 3 hours. Why they tell you to get there 3/4 hours early. They ain't kidding. He said it was mentally exhaustive and basically called it hell. He shared another story that I won't share, not good. I am trying to think if that got him out of going to Israel again on business. He hated it. I cringed at hearing this.

My dad's secretary flew ELAL (mistake, the Pastor should be shot ) with a church tourgroup. She put it this way.
She is big and strong. Few things humble her, these people humbled me and said how the security questions drove her crazy. They asked her about everyone else in her group. The questions were long and arduous. She loved Israel, but didn't care for this.

I called BA and asked about a fare to Israel. She happened to have gone to Israel and the BA agents' response is very similar to what I hear from most people: "great trip to Israel, had a wonderful time, but with the security hassles at the end, no thanks." And consequently and sadly, many never come back. If you come here once and see everything, ok.

I have a friend who was a flight attendant for a US charter carrier. He worked Hajj charters and so he had a Saudi work visa in his passport. Never thought of it til this charter flight landed in Israel. An Israeli flight attendant had a great idea and collected all the crews' passports and handed them in together. The Israeli officer still found the visa. He was kept in a cell, they gave him steak and were kind to him, but was not allowed to leave the airport. More details but we'll just say, he didn't like it, but the Israelis tried to be cordial. When he left with the crew the Israelis put a huge deported stamp in his passport. He took that passport to the airline and said, no more Israel.

I have witnessed ELAL security. It is a b*tch, to be blunt. I stood there at JFK and watched them intensely interrogate the passengers. Let's just say politely, the less Jewish you are, the more you are going to be checked, and that is exactly what happened. An image that I will never get out of my mind was at the JFK ELAL area.
They had a woman sitting at a chair, looked frazzled, I don't know what word to use, she stared into space, while the security staff vehemently x-rayed everything by a manual wand type of instrument. Her look haunted me for a while, thinking about her on my AA flight to LA. Oh and they saw me watching and I got out of there. They didn't like that.
Same at other airports as well. I am amazed they don't do that garbage in private. The other airlines into Israel are nothing compared to ELAL, why I wouldn't even consider fying ELAL into Israel. Out of Israel, apparently, everyone gets the same treatment, though out of logic and common sense, I have to assume there is more protection toward ELAL.

In any case, and I am sure many have their own stories, Israeli security is a pain in the ...(ymptote).

I have people who won't go back to Israel because of it, I have to say that it helped to put me off, and I have people that along with suicide bombings and the like allow it to put them off.
Ask a few questions, obviously x-ray the bag, but let's not go overboard.

One more, then will go to the flight out. I e-mailed the US Embassy in a neighboring country, not Israel, and asked them if security was as tough as in Israel. Oh no, the XXX's are not as bad as the Israelis and 2 hours are fine.
Ok.......

I wanted to give some background as to my concern over the whole thing. I have other war stories, but you get the idea.

With that, let us depart.

Tel Aviv to London Heathrow

For the religous here, as you can imagine, I am praying (and fasting).

Into the terminal, when I could finally get into the departures hall.

Over to British Airways, and no shortage of lines.

I go to the first gatekeeper. She speaks to me in Hebrew, they do that on purpose.

If you are Israeli and you speak Hebrew, and blah blah blah you check out, you get directed to the easy line. You bypass the security crap and X ray machine and get directed to the front. I watched. You get something, but nothing compared to what we get. UGH

So, I need English, Anglit? and that killed me right there. I show my ticket and passport and she directs me to the line for us foreigners. Hey, the US and every country do it for Immigration. It is a pain either way.

While we are standing in line someone comes over, British Airways? Yes. They created a new line for us. The lovely couple behind me dart out past me in true form and go ahead.
Honestly this was accidental, I swear. My baggage cart nailed him in the back of his leg. I couldn't see it with my suitcase blocking. He stopped, asked me not to get him in the back of the leg, I apologized. Do I feel bad? heck no, you cut right in front of me you schmuck.
He deserved it, and there ya go. :P~ Sorry... but it was accidental, I just couldn't see it.

Actually it worked out well as now he and his wife are the first guinea pigs. You had the Lufthansa check in and then another one, I think a charter, couldn't see from way over here.

Here we go. A cute Russian girl comes up with her stickers and already I am thinking this has to be easier than ELAL, I know it is.

She asks them questions, she puts stickers on everything, they don't take that long.

My turn. I say Shalom. I play the Jewish card, hard. I explain how I had a wonderful trip, which I did, and I will be back. I mention the Rabbi back home. She did ask me some Jewish related questions. She asks if I know any Hebrew? some, and I gave a few examples. Baruch Ata Adonai... The more Hebrew you know, the more Jewish you are. Not that Palestinian Intelligence doesn't study Hebrew. Whatever. Kind of nuts. I didn't say that I am a diehard practicing Christian, but I did make the reference to my Christian mother. I am a half breed, so label me where you want. Actually, I wanted to see where they labeled me. Hint, the more Jewish you are, the less of a threat that you are, ironically, even though you are flying a British Protestant airplane. Ok... I know Paul is having a field day with this one! Some of this was written just for you in mind. he he

She then actually turned to security questions. Did you pack your bags? Where did you go? Who did you see? What did you do? Did anyone give you anything? They were fair, to be honest, and much less than I expected. Again, I think most people who had problems flew ELAL, and hence, some advice darlings, STAY THE HELL OFF OF ELAL! there ya go.

She put stickers on my ticket, which was electronic, and on all the bags. I shook her hand.
Hey, this isn't so bad.

Then the mess, which I have read about, getting up to the coveted Monster X ray machine.
As I made my way up, the officer asked me to wait to the side as they were trying to clear out an earlier flight, fair enough, so I took a seat and read the 'Jewish Journal.' A paper from LA that I do enjoy, and read every week, though I had a feeling this would be more suitable than the Christian Times or something, LOL.

The area is confining, it is a pain in the butt, too small, too crowded, and too many people. No one wants to wait in line and everyone crowds in at the machine. The ticket offices, joyfully, are to my right and how you would ever get to them without going through this even to buy a ticket I don't know. It is crazy. I can't imagine that things have been like this for this long. It literally is hell, if you will. Very poor planning and doesn't make beloved Israel look good.

Finally I am called up and they help me put my bags on the belt. Swooossshhh, kind of cool, and in they go, and then you go around. I don't know what the security stickers mean.
I think I have a 36, with a Hebrew letter circled, can't tell what it is, and it is purple. If anyone wants to help out!? toda. I am curious. For most of the people when the bags come out, they get a full check and are sent to the tables. I don't have so much a problem with this just that the tables and surrounding areas are small, very cramped, and so uncomfortable.
It it were a temporary setting, sure, but how long have they been doing this? Come on.

My prayers and fasts do pay off. I don't get checked. I am cleared, wheewww. For now.
All my bags pass and the nice security guy tells me to go ahead and check in. I am happy.
I say about 90% are getting nailed for a very extensive bag search. Bags are on the tables and being ransacked, something you will see sometimes at customs, but this was over the top. Just pushing my cart with bags through to the British Airways check in was a chore. I am sure I bumped people and carts getting through and I wanted to get out of there.

There is a weird orange tag on each bag with a barcode. I have never seen anything like it before. If anyone has info, please share, I am sure we would all like to know.

Was it as bad as I had thought? so far, no, was it pleasant? not really. Would I want to do this all the time? heck no. Watching the others get nailed I felt bad for them. Maybe the machine didn' t like them.

I was selected for a random customs check in Sydney. I had something in each suitcase that the machine didn't like: my razor, a flashlight, and there was something else.
It happens.

Up to the wonderful BA check in and they were very kind. I feel like I had passed(so far).

It is kind of neat to see Israelis in BA uniforms.

Electronic ticket, check in, take the bag, no hassles. My bag was over its alloted 23 kilos but he said don't worry about it. I love Platinum! I think 27 kilos, whatever that is in pounds. Remember, I hate math!

With that, I was free, for now.

I exited (hell) and went landside. They x-rayed my carry ons and then I can walk freely landside, ok.

I did walk around the arrivals area, upstairs to a small food court, and outside. There isn't much to see or do landside so it isn't much of an airport to just visit, sadly.

Now with most of the thing over I was more relieved and sad to go. One last look at the famous terminal front.

Up to a B/P checkpoint and up the escalator. Oh good, more fun.

First Passport Control. More lines. Israelis here, foreigners there.

Lines were far more doable than coming in but again people taking cuts and you had to be vigilant. Finally get up, asked for a stamp out, and wait. She looks at the passport, takes a while to, then calls out my first name, I say ken/yes, she looks at me, looks down, stamps it, and I am out of Israel. Toda rabah.

Kind of emotional, but South Africa stamping me out was the most emotional for me, with Hong Kong pre-handover 2nd most.

Now security. More lines, more waiting, more cutting. UGH

I get to the front and they ask to see my ticket which of course is put away. Not my boarding pass? No, ticket. The ticket is a paper showing confirmation of my BA reservation.
OK. The purple sticker which worked for me downstairs did NOT work for me up here and she told me to stand at the side. Cringe. Others with all kinds of passports filed suit past me. Oh joy.

They were trying to explain to me something about another security machine or something and it was down, their English was awful. Gee, airport, security, nah, don't need English here, too much! The Russians,in general, spoke better English. I found that interesting.

Then they took the next victim, a European, I am guessing German, they had him stand to the side with me while others got to go through. We looked at each other, smiled, he said, "this is hell." I nodded. I am thinking it is BS. The Israelis aren't making any friends with the millions of tourists who came here to support them.

He mentioned not being able to do Duty Free, etc. I am guessing he is on the Lufthansa flight which leaves before the BA flight. Then we go. But somehow they were protective of both of us. Bags on the belt, ok, done. No. Now put your bags on this other belt, ok.

Now come here, and again, very cramped and uncomfortable, and we are in the way of others trying to clear through. They gave me a manual wand search, which is better than the overpersonal pat down at FRA and the British Airports when you ding the machine.
I pass. Dieu Merci! I am done. Get me the hell out of here!

I think we have a new definition of hell. It is also garbage. I smile to my friend who is getting the works, actually a bit more than me. ta ta God bless him.

Now, how much time do I have? I was mad to have come early thinking now I don't have enough time. Actually, it worked out. I looked at every major Duty Free store. Checked out the ELAL lounge at the very end to try to get a magazine, no deal. Too much to come to Israel and I can't get an ELAL inflight. Sorry Darwin. and for myself.

The airside area is a much more comfortable, modern, doable area than downstairs. Good shops and it is more European, whereas downstairs is more Middle Eastern. Very interesting contrast, I think.

Tel Aviv to Heathrow BA 767-300

Ok, let's finish the Israeli part.

I am making an effort to get this done, now at 0200 am.

FYI, the remainder of the trip is going to go fast, it pretty much has been covered in previous reports, realizing that one of you wants to go to England and wants info, but I will call you before you go and will give you plenty of advice.

Ok. Walked around the terminal, covered pretty much every store, more so the chocolate stores, but didn't buy anything. Not sure where the credit cards were $$$ and I still had a few days ahead of me.

They have 2 lounges at Ben Gurion. ELAL and JetSet which is pretty much for everyone else.

BA gave me a pass to the JetSet, very nice, they made it easier for me than when I have to hassle with the BA lounge Wardens at Heathrow. Kind of ironic. I also had access to it via Priority Pass, so I am covered.

Dropped off the pass to the Warden in a very crowded, packed, and uncomfortable lounge. Again, hell. Too much.

How long has this freaking airport been in operation? Very glad about the new terminal and I wouldn't want to come to Israel until they complete the new Terminal 3, but I am glad that I did this once. ONCE.

They had some cookies, some very tasty little chocolate cream cakes, those were delicious. A few sodas, I actually filled my cup with water from the water cooler.

The place was packed, no place to sit, and way too uncomfortable. The WC/toilet is meant for skinny people and a contortionist act is needed to get by anyone in it, too much. Public one is much nicer. Grabbed a couple of cakes, threw a few things in my pockets, and told her I would be back as they board the bus from the lounge, which I def. like! Wish that more airports would do something like that.

Back into the public area and whewww.
Kind of ironic, the lounge sucks,
the public area of the terminal is better, more spacious, plenty of seating, again, the opposite of the landside area which has nothing for visitors, greeters, save a couple of shops.

I enjoyed the big windows and you had views of some good planes. Swiss MD-11, Air France A320, Iberia A320, Royal Wings Dash 7(Jordan), Lufthansa 747-400, and several ELALs and an Arkia 757. All good. I couldn't see our plane.

They have a big Israeli flag in front of the terminal on the apron, I like that.

I think for many people, especially from the Americas, they may make one trip/pilgrimmage here. So it is hard to leave not knowing if you will ever come back. I will come back, I know that.

I will gripe about the stupid security, but I will come back. However, to be honest, if I have a few days,etc, I have a feeling Cyprus, Egypt, or Jordan would probably do the trick. (being honest)

Ok, I have seen everything, done everything. I went to a music store and bought some Israeli music cd's, which, are priced in US $$$.

Back at home I was at the Virgin Megastore and found an Israeli Cd, couldn't read it , said why not. Dana Berger. The first song on the CD I have listened to thousands of times, including today, I love it.

So I buy out the Dana Berger collection plus one more, not sure who. I paid out my remaining Shekels and used my plastic for the rest.

I have listened to 2/4 so far and they both stink! Oh well.

Same with Nena in Germany. I bought a cassette at Zurich Airport. Found a song that I had listened to so many times, loving it, I broke the tape, but never found it again and Nena's songs are good, but I want this one. Such is life.

Ok, WC break,and good bathrooms they are, thumbs up, visited the small Synagogue where some guy was repacking his stuff, then back to the lounge. More cakes, more to swipe, it is a bit emptier now and flights are going out.

They call the BA flight, down the stairs. A BA agent takes the ticket and wish her my best. To the last Israeli standing at the doorway leading to the bus, I say Shma Y'israel. (pretty much God bless Israel, or how I take it in translation)

Onto the bus, we go out to the plane. Cool! Lot's of good planes out and it is neat to be near so many ELALs. Now may I have a magazine please? LOL I slowly exit the bus and slowly make my way to the plane, covered stairs and all so I can look, looking over at the arrivals area where it all started, and then up and back, technically speaking, on British soil with friendly and sweet BA crews to go along with it. Cheers mates!

BA 767 TLV to LHR

Ok, board the plane, music playing, people seem friendly. Crews are great, smiling, British politesse here.

Most of the plane is Israeli and alot of the people are wearing kippot(skulcaps), vs. secular Tel Aviv where you
didn't really see much of that. I go my whole time in Israel and see very few kippot, talit, tzitzit, etc., then board
British Airways and I am in an Ultra Orthordox and Haredim Synagogue. The irony, yes, is there. ha ha

Well, someone is in my seat. He gives me the BS, I found my friend, suprise, go ahead and sit back there,
blah blah blah BS. I knew it. I said as long as I get a window seat, I don't care. Sure enough, my trade 2 seats back in the flying Synagogue was a window, we're good. I actually stuffed my black carry on into the overhead where I was supposed to sit, then went through my carry on bag for the basics: water bottle, book on Israelis, and something else, maybe a candy bar, nothing too fancy. Took a seat and the crew actually stuffed the bag into the overhead. Thank you, the more legroom, the better.

Everyone around me was 'religous', full garb. Sorry to say this but I know people who would just go nuts, i.e. non-practicing Jewish 'secularists', love the name, who hate that stuff. Most Christians would say cool, something different, and it is. At the Syn. we wear kippot, almost never Tallit. It is Reform, it is a bit more casual, and I like it that way!!! Thank you Rabbis!

I say a hello to my neighbor. He doesn't talk much. I couldn't even describe all that he has on. Does he walk around like this all the time? In England? oh that must be fun. They are all British Jews(his family), going home,as they didn't need the white English landing card that the rest of us pee-ons needed.

Here we go. Doors close, engines start, and we taxi out. Go out to the taxi way and I am looking at all the other planes as the sun starts going down. I wish that we had a little more daylight for the flight, although we are heading West and chasing the Sun.

They do the BA safety video. Amazingly, not a word of Hebrew. Ok....

How the Britts get away with their horrible language skills, I don't know. BA went out and splattered a bunch of ugly paint on their planes, trying to be more 'international,' in the process they removed a beautiful blue coated plane with the British Royal emblem. Many were sad about this. You want to be international, speak some freaking languages on your int'l flights! ah, sorry, DUH! again, too much, just too much. I am so so with the newest scheme, but love the older one with the Crest.

We taxi out past some cool Israeli military planes, a military unit getting drilled, glad I am not them! , hey, P.E. was enough, and we go out to the runway. Time to say final goodbyes and we are rolling.

Green pastures, nice scenery, sunset, and liftoff. Saw several apartment buildings and sadly, into the clouds, which obscured the view. You could see a few buildings down below and then before long we were over the ocean. I wanted to get one last look at Tel Aviv, but no way. Oh well. Sad and Shalom.

They didn't tell us the routing, there was no flight map, no watch, clock is packed away (remind me about that one later). I am guessing we headed up toward Greece/Turkey as in the end I found out we had done a Northerly route.

I would have liked to talk to my seatmate but he had his headphones on, listening to his cd player, and so I put on my BA headphones and listened to the BBC World news, time to get an update. Following that they had a good lineup of entertainment. A movie and tv shows. I read my book. Even though I have left Israel, let's see what we can accomplish.

Drinks service followed by dinner. Similar dinner as coming out, a chicken something. I was stuffed from those little cakes, but it was good. In coach I seldom keep track of the meals, sometimes not even up front, unless they somehow stand out. Apart from Cathay and Singapore, and Air France, sorry, they seldom do.
I liked the little Israeli products like the Prigat orange juice, in English and Hebrew.

Comfy seat, tight legroom. My neighbor and I are, ah, on the heavy side, doesn't make for a comfortable 5 hour flight to London.

Fortunately, I had no problem getting out, he was quite amenable in that way. He also got up more often than my beloved seatmate coming down, so, we had some more freedom. Coach sucks, let's admit it. I just wanted the flight to get overwith and get to London. Then back to AA's more legroom, thank goodness for it.

I did a couple of walkabouts. Had some stares at my lapel pin, which, by the way, I would find that appropriate time to remove. ( I think on the way to passport control at LHR)

I read, I tried to snooze. Hey, it was uncomfortable. The passengers in front of me threw their trash on the floor, which was nasty, and it would roll back to me. The only benefit they threw down their amenity kit and headsets and I swiped those. but the rest, YUCK! The crews do need to come around with a trash bag.

By the end of the flight, it was a pigsty. Atleast put the trash in the seatpocket. Better than on the floor.

We flew over some cool looking cities, but I had no idea. I am going to guess Prague, bridges, the way it was spread out, and I was in Prague in November. hmmmmm any ideas? It drove me batty.

Then we flew over a large city. I was thinking Paris which I have flown over before. It was huge, lot's of lights, and you could actually see the highways and cars leaving it. I later figured out it must have been Berlin. Thinking it was Paris, we would have been at the coastline soon, but still more land.

Then the pilot came on and said we were over Belgium, wow, that far north. So we really did take quite a northerly route. He started making preps for arrival in London explainaing there were ATC delays over London. Yeah, get me off the bloody thing, thanks.

Over the English Channel, starts descent, and before long, the lights of London. This actually I didn't mind. We had to do 4 left turns over London, so actually after all that cramped in there, I didn't mind the extra views of beloved London, free of charge.

He was right, 4 turns, and then into Heathrow. Right hand side is usually the best for the approach into Heathrow.

Canary Wharf Financial Centre, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and into LHR. Dentist's drill starts acting up, though wasn't on the wing this time, thank goodness. That drove me nuts before.

Did the usual approach into Hounslow and all that fun stuff. I don't know the runway # but he touched down and flew parallel to Terminals 2 and 3 and reverse and we are home. Taxi to Terminal 4 and not a bad view.

The pax got up before we were at the gate and I was waiting for the Britts to say no no, but they didn't which was a surprise. Go and do that on a US airline, they will come and throw you down. We parked at the first gate to the left of the terminal, where the Amsterdam flight leaves from, usually.

Nailed a couple of safeties and the longhaul Duty Free catalogue which I won't get going to Paris.

I wished my seatmate a good trip, he did the same for me. Said goodbye to the crew, who were great and smiling, and into the jetbridge and down to passport control.

It was nice just to be off the thing. Too crowded, too cramped, too full. You need to realize that American really is a Godsend to us. I am not sure if I could do it without their legroom. Can't stand Delta's legroom. etc.

My lapel pin subtly was removed. We are done there and down to a snake of lines, the longest I have seen at 4. I usually arrive from Paris, once Amsterdam, and the place has always been empty.

Getting my docs ready and that stupid landing card. I was able to witness one more act of Israelis cutting the line, and very clever. As we came around a corner between the railings a guy in front snuck around, past the unsuspecting Britts, and jumped ahead. If you did this at every turn, you might pass a few people, but is it really worth it?
I wanted to kick him, but let it go. If you think that is helping Israeli's reputation abroad?! guess again Einstein!!

My turn to the front. This should be easy. Not! He is a jerk. Where have you come from? Tel Aviv. He didn't like my in and out, which quite frankly, I have done far more than this. He wanted to see my ticket to America, to see that he was going to finally get rid of me. He was rude and obnoxious and I could have said something I shouldn't so I didn't, but here ya go, STUFF IT MATE! :P~ Yutz. (in my head) smile

Stamp and move on. WC break, down to bag claim. The place is dead empty, but they put our flight at the very last bag claim at the end of the bag claim area. Go BA! Too much.

My clock apparently has an alarm, set to go off. It was sounding off in my suitcase and that freaked me out.
Had to open the suitcase on the floor and turn it off. I am surprised that BA security or customs didn't notice it.
Tells ya alot, doesn't it? An alarm sound coming loudly from a bag and they don't notice it. Ok...

Off to customs. Customs, officers stand there and look at ya while ya pass through the beloved green channel, only Her Majesty's finest are on a tea break and the customs hall is dead empty. We waltzed right through, ok. I guess they figure the Israelis X rayed the hell out of every freaking bag that what more could they do? Makes sense, actually.

I looked at the arrival shop, pass.

Exit to the public area, oh it is cold. Oh and I grabbed my leather jacket from the suitcase at bag claim. You need it here!
Went to WH Smiths to get some water and a candy. Chastized the daylights out of a Britt who I thought was cutting in front. He apologized, I apologized, then felt bad. I explained that I just came from Israel. He understood. LOL
We laughed. Cheers.

Ok, now for the Heathrow fun. Down the lift, drag the bags, make my way to the Heathrow Express. Have to remove the bags from the cart and drag them to the (bloody) train. I miss the ..............train by 2 seconds and the conductor says no, you must take the next one. Yes, I cussed, sorry, I did. I was pissed.

I think all of the hassles of the day came out then and there. I think Heathrow is a nutty place and full of BS planning. I wasn't going to pay for a taxi to the hotel, not when I can manage the bags to the stupid train, and I would have to take a taxi when going to Paris with all the bags. But to just miss the train. Oh I was mad. GRWL

Finally, the next train. They play weird music and all that. I am thinking these people ought to be shot for this planning. You take a train to get from Heathrow Terminal 4 to the other terminals, then you walk a long way to the terminals, then take a bus which YOU PAY for to the hotel. I suppose in all fairness to Israel, this is hell, too.

Arrived at the Heathrow Express station. Then it is a long jaunt to Terminal 1, through the arrivals hall, wait for a bus.

Bus comes, you get to load the bags onto it yourself, he sits there on his royal can and smirks, then you get to pay for it. Probably over time my overnight transfers at Heathrow will go with the wind. It if fun to be there and watch the planes, but oh what a bloody hassle it is, especially when T4 is involved.

Bus takes you to the Sheraton Skyline, home atlast.

Heathrow

Did the check in at the Sheraton Skyline at LHR. The staff are wonderful, some of the best, and they commiserated with me over the Hoppa and all that rubbish. The Heathrow hotels used to have their own shuttles, then the beloved BAA put an end to all that and intro'd the Hoppa. We went from a large, comfy bus where the driver helped you with your bags to
a crummy, run down, very uncomfortable piece of something that they actually charge you for and the driver sits on his can. Too much.

Hell if you must deal with Terminal 4. The problem is I fly BA to Paris from Terminal 4, there ya go.

Many people in the Americas and Europe love to curse Heathrow. The problem is alot of British bashing gets snuck in the process and how can you argue with them? The French love to curse it, but CDG has a way to go, though I will give you, CDG doesn't do a Hoppa and train service like LHR, so one point for the French. Oh my.

Anyway, nice check in, sweet staff, this is what makes staying at LHR doable and I was excited to get this hotel on Priceline for $70 US. I just wasn't getting that at CDG, why I took another night at LHR. Also there was no way to connect straight to Paris or I would have. You arrive at LHR at 2030 hours.

Up to my big, comfy room with a huge king bed. Yummm Ordered room service with a club sandwhich, love England's clubs and some chips, or French Fries, I guess now Freedom Fries, LOL. ahhhhhhh

While waiting called home. Mom and I talked for a while. Had her call me right back and she was happy/relieved that I was out of Israel. I am surprised she let me go, to be honest. She fought me with South Africa and I gave in the 2nd time. I am glad someone cares. Hey, I did it, I wasn't blown up, and I accomplished something that I really needed to do. So thank you, though some thought I was nuts, hey, something I had to do.

Also talked with Brian a bit and he is doing better. Room service, tons of tv in English, you learn to appreciate that when you come back, you take it for granted while in the English speaking world.

I did watch some cool planes take off. From my room on the top floor facing the airport you get them as they start their roll for take off. Ironically, one of the flights is the late night BA to Tel Aviv. Keep it for now.

Lights out.

The next day was pretty simple and lazy and I had earned it. Not having had e-mail access, wasn't sure where I was with my friend in Paris. He was supposed to come, couldn't and I understood, though it would have been nice. It was hard to make plans with the unkown.

I watched planes, took several pics, ate the leftover from the last night, and packed, repacked. I still have to get my bags from the Marriott.

I was enjoying a scandal given to us on Sky tv, then all the stations. It took CNN world a while to pick it up. Apparently Blair had the UN leader's offices in London bugged, Koffi Annan, and then the you knew what hit the fan. I loved it. It was a scandal and it wasn't my President or my country or the dear Canadians getting nailed over some stupid Airbus sale.

I like Blair so I am with him but it was fun to watch, sorry. I have a feeling the UN was ticked and all kinds of goodies come out. Gotta love it.

Pack up and check out.

They watched my bag while I did a walkaround. They had a big conference, again, with stuffed shirts,ick, and stopped at the model shop and got out, too tempting and I am not spending any money I don't need to here, sorry. Oh this place is expensive.

My club sandwhich, phone calls, and whatever other incdentals cost about $70 US. I freaked. The card worked. The geniuses then charged me twice when I got home but we sorted it out. ....

I grabbed my suitcase and rolled it to the Marriott nextdoor. They watched it while I checked out the lounge, but my friend wasn't there. I did a quick tour. The porters here are very nice.
The reception staff are not, so deal with that.

They pulled out my bags and called a cab. Some guy, a fellow Yank, was heading to T 4, I told him to take a cab. I explained, trust me, it is worth it, he took the cab.

Even though I was short of pounds, I tipped this guy in US and some UK as he was so nice. I couldn't resist.

The cab took maybe 5 minutes, up Bath road, had to do a turn around, to the Le Meridien, near the entrance to Heathrow. 9 pounds, with tip, call it $20 US for going down the street.
I just can't afford England, sorry. I was later told that there is an 8 pound minimun for going between any hotels at Heathrow. God help them. Too much. I shook my head.

The porter at Le Meridien was wonderful. The kind of Britt you love. Very kind and watched the bags and I checked in. The check in staff are French. I griped about how expensive England is, she agreed, took a slight stab at the Britts, but politely and very subtly. She has to be careful. She said England is expensive for everyone, not just Americans. True.

I called over, as I did with all the hotels, asking for a high floor facing LHR. Done and done nicely. I actually stalled coming over here thinking the place would be a dump. Not so.

It has all been refurbished and is actually very impressive. My porter took me up to the room and I gave him what I could, apologizing profusely, he understood. Unfortunately, I was very short on those US $ I was using to tip.

The room was great, beautiful Continental bed with the big duvet/comforter. I love it.

Had to have someone come up to fix the drapes, which they pretty much dismantled. A weird drape design, couldn't move it, couldn't see out the window. The windows open!!

Fantastic view of the planes and the terminals. Finally had somewhat of a view of Terminal 3 where so many goodies come in.

I stood there and photographed planes all evening . I wore out the poor camera and had to search thorugh all the bags for batteries, the poor thing. I would open the windows, freeze, take pics, close, warm up.

It was great to get all the bags together again. Did packing, unpacking, and sorting. BA is going to kick my butt tomorrow. Long live elite status! Also long live the USA, that is what saved me really.

I was hungry, looked at the menu, they had high prices with that pound thing in front of it, yeah, too much.

So I walked to a pub across the street, I still have the menu, but I didn't like it, so down Bath road to McDonalds. America's ambassador to the world and I love it!

Even with McD's, in pounds, it really wasn't that cheap, but it tasted good.

Oh and the weather was freezing. It was biting cold. I stopped to look at a SAA Airbus depart and froze in the process. I debated going into my usual, the Rennaissance, but passed. I think this is the first time, without my family, I didn't stay there. They have the best view of the planes, but I love Le Meridien.
The rooms at the Renn. are British style shoeboxes, way too claustrophobic and I go nuts after one night, all I can take there.

Stopped at Texaco for some snacks and some water. Yes, I drink water, lot's of it, and
can never get enough.

Oh and I watched 'Who is the Weakest Link', the British version. I can't stand that woman. She is just as rude and obnoxious there in England as she is when she comes here to the States.

My favorite all time scene from this show was on the American version:
she asked a contestant who happened to a be guy from London, why did you leave London?
"to get away from women like you!" I loved it. I laughed so hard, the audience loved it, and it was a smash. Oh she drives me batty. She doesn't help England's reputation abroad, I can assure you! (itch)

Watched the Austrian tv show, Rex or something, he is an Austrian police dog on the German Sat 1 channel, I love that show, got hooked in Switzerland. The actors are different. I like the other guys they had, but great scenes of Vienna and you get to hear Austrian German. I wish that Sat Einz would do subtitles as they take shows from all over German speaking Europe.

Then lights out.

LHR to CDG BA A319

Woke up, drapes open, to some incredible views. Planes everywhere. I liked the Kuwait 777, one of my favs, good colours, so nailed that one. AI 744 another one.

Barely got the Icelandair 757. Hence, I took more pics, and lot's of 'em. Oh this film is going to be expensive!

I forgot to mention that I had toured the hotel the night before. I like it.

Finished the packing. Just to get everything to Paris. I unload so many goodies for the guy in Paris, and yes he is so very worth it! He collects everything as I do, so easy to throw things in and I don't have to drag them back with me to the States, as with the rest of you.

More pics, pack, shower, some last minute of that tv in English thing, call for a porter.

Oh goody, that expensive taxi. The same porter comes up, my gosh, do you live here mate? I really like him. He has a good, kind soul to him. I give him what I can. Check out is easy. Priceline pre-paid US $91, plus taxes. There is a story to that, but I am too tired. sorry
No incidentals. Thank goodness. Thank you McD's!

I signed up with their frequent stay program, see if I get something. Actually one Priceline worked and I did receive miles, so we shall see.

Ordered the taxi and my porter helped me out, explaining there is a fixed rate of 11 pounds from the hotel to Heathrow. One time from 4 it was 14 pounds. What on earth could it cost to go to London? The Queen's jewels? ahhhh

Alas it was my beloved driver from last November who took me to 4 for my other trip to Paris. I like him. He is another Britt that you like. Very kind, good man, good soul. We chatted all the way to Terminal 4. It is funny, it is a 45 minute flight to Paris, but you feel like you are going into the world. I guess it is T4.

I run and grab a cart, we settle, yes, I tip him generously, he is one of my favs.

Into the terminal with the police carrying machine guns. This is England?

To the front of the BA Club World queue. Set the bags down, yes, I am praying.
First bag is ok, but when I put the second bag down, she makes it subtle. May I see your ticket to the States please? Normally, with the low intraEurope baggage allowances, I would pay dearly. I assume being a Oneworld Sapphire gets me something, but the US allowance saves my soul.

As I return from Paris, directly to the US,they give it to me. She even takes the 3rd bag, thank you BA!

I thank her and off to WHSmith to buy my coveted book on the East German Stasi files on the UK. They were all over when I left, now I can't find it, I look, I panic, dang, they are gone. I want the book and I figure it will turn up. As I have already seen the landside and not much time for airside, I head to security. Empty the pockets, B/P out, and I pass with an A-.

Lines are small. I would be dead in the morning with all the flights going out, why I always take the late night AA to JFK. Hey, I will be back here in 24 hours. Too weird.

Did the usual BA lounge thing. This guy is cool so I don't play any games with him. He reminds me of a past religous leader(Christian) at home that is very dear to me(Stewart) so we smile. Normally I get annoyed having to show my card and B/P, rubbish, but to him, whatever. I doubt that he would make a fuss in any event. He is very sweet.

Some sandwhiches, ate my bacon fill, looked for a good newspaper to swipe, and more goodies for the guy in Paris. He loves the BA chocolate chip biscuits/ cookies.

I go out to the shops and look for my book. Oh my nowhere to be found.

Buy some chocolate now so that I can pack it in Paris and send it home to LA. BAA points card and all. Back to the lounge, some net, and time to head out, and I say cheers to my friend.

As I head for the gate to France, Star Alliance reps are out trying to lure customers over. My Untied card expires tomorrow. Oh sorry sir, you must reside in the UK. If I had had a UK address handy, Matthew!!! I could have done it. Oh well. No more Lufthansa lounges.

The Paris gate is not at the closer in gate 20, but gate 22. Oh no. I have to go up through that ugly hallway to the plane, not a short walk, now I am getting nervous. Lugging carry on bags, the Chocolate Box bags are big and heavy and my leather jacket is NOT helping either.
I do stop for a pic but for naught. They were good shots, too. When the camera rewinded, it ruined the film. Oh well. Made it to the gate and they were still boarding.

I take a breather. Too much crap. I take down the reg.,will give later, for the BA A319 which is way down there. Sort things out and down the ramp. I do wonder why they would put the Paris flight out at one of the outer gates. UGH on BA! LOL

Grab a Financial Times and board, they smile. I stuff(love that word) my carry ons into the overhead in Club class, yes, I cheat, saving my Business Traveller, UK edition, which I want to read, grabbed it from the lounge I had just left.

I am looking for my seat and they have 3 empty emergency exit seats waiting for me. I ask if I can move and she tells me to wait, then gives me the all clear. Very nice. More legroom, very comfy.

What surprised me is that she sat down at the aisle seat. Not good for safety card pilfering, uh oh. I joked, ah, now I get better service with you here, she is like, nah ah. LOL

Oh and I asked about a free upgrade, but had put it more politely. She said no, BA is actually trying to make a profit now, so we'll have you take your seat in coach. (itch!)

We push back and taxi out. The Airbus makes those weird noises. The lead cabin crew tries to be cute by throwing out some French. yeah, you guys are real int'l. Disgusting.
Their version of bilingual is Mesammes et monsieurs, a couple of times, so so bad.

I am suprrised the French and Germans don't throw stones at BA for no language skills on these flights. Gotta love it, in some ironic way, you really do, so British. UGH

Air France speaks English on their domestic flights in France. UGH Whateva.

We taxi out and roll away, after that lovely manual safety demo. We roll past the hotels and my new home, Le Meridien.

Lift off and some nice scenery and into the clouds. What is cool with the A319 is that they have the flight map. Down to Brighton and over the coast. Crossing into France I am guessing Boulogne or so. Very hard to see as the curtain in precious, coveted Club is blocking the view.

They offer crudites, some light veggies and dip, which I take, or that awful Yank pie, I mean Apple pie. Let the Yanks do the apple pie, darlings. LOL

I try to read what I can of Business Traveller, the letters being my favorite. Actually some good material was there. I finish my mineral water and we start our descent. I fill out the French landing card, en francais, bien sur, and it is easy like the UK one, just an annoying thing to have to do. We saved you after all. Both of you!

Came through the clouds and some flap action. He went East beyond Paris and Roissy and did a hard turn back heading West. Fluent bilingual annoucements were made, NOT, just English. Too much.

The view was splendid. I said a quick prayer for la France.

Madam itch was back at the seat. How was I going to get the cards and they stick out in an outer pocket. I plan to give all the cards to the guy here in France as I will be flying the same plane back tomorrow (NOT!). so I thought, oh well.

We made a great approach and landed on the South side, facing the new Terminal 2E, finally have a window seat!!!, pass 2C and then 2A and then over to 2B.

The BA's all over the place now turn into Air Chance, I mean Air France. Air Mauritius, Air Transat, my beloved AA, Cathay, and Air Austral from Reunion, cool.

Do we get a jetway? ah, no, gonna do that stupid park at the remote spot. We curse BA but I find out the next day that it is Air France screwing BA. OK.

The crew who resembles that woman from the Weakest Link gets up. I put 2 sets of magazines, Duty Free, everything together, then slide 2 safeties, one into each set.
She catches one and pulls it out, I am just going to remove the safety card, OK, but I get one. (stuff )

Getting my carry ons I throw another safety card into the bag so now we have 2, that is fair.

Off the plane bidding my farewells onto a fun staircase and very cold. Onto the bus we wait, we wait, we wait, with some Scottish sportsteam. Go Scotland! I wish them my best. A light from the ceiling of the bus falls down from the ceiling and just barely misses one of my beloved Scotts. That was freaky. Cheap bus. He is ok.

We play around the tarmac, hey, the view isn't bad, then to Aerogare 2B. The bus lets us off and I think it is easy from here. Not so.

I arrange the carryons and put together a bag for the French guy. I bought him some Bounty and the goodies from the plane.

Upstairs via escalator this time, love it. I walk through the terminal and check out the Duty Free for tomorrow. The last time I arrived here it was late and everything was closed.

There is a long line for something. Oh it can't be. It is! Nos chers francais et la police de l'air have one passport officer at the booth for everyone, EU, non EU. Too, too much.
The line snakes out way into the terminal. I ask the lovely English lasses behind me to save my place dans la ligne and I get a cart, these bags are heavy.

The line takes forever and sure enough, people try to take cuts. A woman walks up into the line. I chew her out in French, oh but I don't speak French, good, here is some English for ya, the line starts back there. She mumbles something in a strong East European accent and then stays. UGH I moved forward and I figure if the English lasses don't mind then fine, but she ain't cutting in front of me. They had a plane from Bucharest and Sofia arrive.

Finally a 2nd officer arrives and opens up shop, but l'imbecille keeps it "tous passeports" or for all passports. That is fine with me, the Yank, but if they opened up an EU line, would have been so much better for their own. Whatever.

I get up and ask for a stamp(tampon) en francais and he complies. I am done.

I come into bag claim and the joy of all joys that wonderful Frenchman is standing on the other side of the glass. I wave and smile. Yes, he is wonderful and a very good friend and it is great to see him, even though he was in LA only a month ago. Happens every year.
He comes out for the LA show, then I do a mileage run and Paris is my sweet dessert at the end of the trip.

I grab my bags, they all make it, and sort his bag out. No customs, suprise, I make my way out.

>>I say Shma Y'israel. (pretty much God bless Israel, or how I take it in translation) >>

Shema Israel does not mean "G-d bless Israel". It means Listen Israel. It continues and states that there is just one G-d. It is the beginning of a much longer morning prayer.

>>Many of you know about this (BS) firsthand and some of you HATE it. Some know nothing. <<

You complain about the security. Israel is not Lichtenstein. As to your complaints about EL AL I know many who are loyal customers and only fly them to Israel though they can be more expensive. It remains my favourite airline; so it is a personal thing.

As to the flight attendant who spent the night in a luxurious jail, due to his Saudi Arabian visa what do you think the Saudis would have done had he had an Israeli stamp?

As to the bad drivers, I believe Israel has the highest accident rate in the world or ranks among the highest in the world.

Thank you for the correction, you are right.

As to security, I stand with my position and we have had this discussion, it is over the top, but please don't argue about it here. I will meet you at the ELAL board later and we can go at it, LOL.

As for ELAL, some love it, some hate it.

The Israeli flyertalkers I met all fly someone else, so, there ya go. I hear it is really bad service, but some fly it because it is Israeli.

AA has craapy service, but it feels good to get onboard a US plane and have a US crew after 2 weeks abroad, as you will see tomorrow.

As for the accidents, whatever. The Egytpians were far worse and the Italians are about as bad. I freaked in Milan, dad drove. scary

As for the stamp, sorry, I had intended to make that point. But I didn't go to Saudi Arabia and probably never will, though Jordan, Dubai, and the other Gulf states are all another story. I also want to go to Lebanon and Syria someday, without the Israeli stamp, thanks.

Ok, back to the report as I am close to finishing and I can do this today if I make some sacrifcies. I want to finish it before I burn out. Toda

-Sorry if offended

CDG/Paris

Bonjour tous.

I exit the customs and hug Monsieur Paris. Hey, long time no see. LOL

I hand him his goodby bag. Oh I have more for you!! We laugh.

It is wonderful to see him. Like a true gentleman he helps me with my bags. I am grateful that he could come and greet me. Last time, not to complain or anything, I was ladened with bags, carry on, and had bought him Aussie wine from Heathrow Duty Free, not knowing I would be doing several parades up and down stairs. I miss my Aerogare 1 !!

We go out to his car which I am not quite sure was parked legalment but hey I love the convenience. We load the bags into the car, actually, he loads the bags, appreciated. I like the service here.

I break out one of the last hotel confirmations. The Comfort Hotel. Mesnil Amelot, ou quelque chose comme ca. We drive away from Aerogare 2 and through the many passageways and underpasses that is CDG. I am loving it. Je suis en France and it feels wonderful.

I would have spent more time in Paris, but like Frankfurt, could NOT get a hotel.
I sweated out Priceline several times, rien. Last time I had the Courtyard which is actually a very nice hotel, beautiful lobby.

I went on every site, looking at 300 euros, like Frankfurt, drove me crazy. London hotels were coming in better and was hoping that Mr. AF would fly up, but hence he had to cherche l'appartement. Ou la la LOL.

I remember this area from the SAS Radisson. It is in the boondocks. Way to the East of the airprort, I think we are half way to Germany. smile. The Rad was ok, but the shuttle bus always stopped at some little dumpy hotel, with name changed, guess where I am going.

Finding the thing is not easy and we do the British roundabout in France thing.
Alas, there it is, Le Dump! He parks in front and we unload to a cart.

Oh and I had found this via Expedia. com like 60 something $$$ Americain. If it is worth that much, ok.

The lobby is decent and the check in staff are nice. He speaks to them in French, I do that Frenglish/Franglais thing, bad habbit I know. My French professors spanked me for it, I can assure you. One of the femmes behind the desk is gorgeous. Bonjour. Easy check in, all pre-paid, no hassles, j'en aimes.

Le chariot(cart) like at Gatwick doesn't fit into the lift, so I had to take the bags in pieces. I leave the more expendable and grab my suitcase and carry on and up I go, figuring the other bags were fine. Beloved France, they were fine.

I grabbed my crap and ran it up. It is a college dorm room and now I understand the meaning of Water Closet, LOL.
Not meant for a fat man, to put it mildly. I fit ok, but would drive me crazy.

Big bed takes up the whole room. I throw things down but I can open the window, j'en aimes. ( I like it, love it)

P is now back from le parking and we take the rest up.

He and I are good friends but we could easily be long lost brothers. We have so much in common and we both collect everything and I mean everything from the airlines, hotels, whatever. I grab it, throw it into a bag, give it to him, we are good. Jon back home is similiar. I have a birthday suitcase from Jon, I still need to get into it. smile

Down at the car I took out everything for him and it is nice to have my black carry on, bertha, empty again.
He grabs a bag or 2 and brings it up and it is Christmas Day, I love it. He in turn gives me my goodies and they are less than usual, he apologizes, I say tres bien. I have too much stuff. Normally I will run to London/Paris for a long weekend mileage run, but in this case I have 2 weeks worth of stuff, so ca fait bien.

He likes what he sees. The American blanket from Business Class fell into my bag, golly gee. He likes it.
Unfortunately, I only have one BA blanket, from COACH, and it is nice, like that of a Business blanket, and I say, it is mine. LOL

I take some other goodies out of what has been my schoogi bag(German for chocos), I always have a schoogi bag, and throw them at him. Yes, at him, he can handle it.

The last time at the Courtyard he sat near my suitcase and we played a game. I threw chocolates and they had to go into the suitcase. He, the duly appointed gatekeeper, but finally a nice one!, lifts the top up just enough. I get a few in, some don't, but we both laugh ourselves to Heaven. Too much, love it!

This guy is great. Magazines, pretty much all the safeties heretofore, timetables, brochures, whatever. He loves the ELAL stuff. He makes fun of ELAL but the goodies are nonetheless fun to have. He works at the airport and ELAL is a pain to deal with to say the very least. I think any airport employee where LY flies in can attest to that. SECURITY!

I go through my goodies and there are some First/Business class amenity kits, I love these, new Air France pyjamas, a stack of magazines, PSA, Western, and more. Love it! I am also appointed courrier to bring a package for SFO Phil. he he he Yeah maybe you'll get it, kiddnig. It is all magazines in Chinese, but I am going to have a good look see before you get them in 2 weeks when we come up.

Oh and Antenne 2, France 2 if you prefer, has Friends on, en francais, but I know the dialogue. Their French voiceovers, ah, stick with le subtitles, s'il vous plait.

With that, it is Paris time. I am thirsty and I am starving. We get in l'auto and head for Paris. It is occassionally snowing, lightly. We go right thru CDG and see all the cool charters and what is now Terminal 3, vs. previously
T9. They call the terminals now, 'Terminal' but I stick with Aerogare, more French.

Out onto l'autoroute/freeway to Paris. We go for a bit with speed and then all of a sudden, bouchon/bottleneck. I still remember my professor describing a bottleneck to us via diagram.

There is a nice sunset. As we get closer to Paris, the traffic is awful, even though we waited for traffic to die down a bit. Gee, I am from LA, what do I know about it? he he he

It starts to snow. It starts to snow harder. I love it. The California dude gets to see live snow, probably the only time this year I will, which works for me.

We listen to French radio, not that I love French music. I must have several dozen French CD's and last time I was here in Paris I went to Virgin and went nuts. Cost me well over a $100 US. This time I passed.

You could see the Eiffel Tower flicker. It flickers on the hour. It is all lit up in beautiful Gold, with la lumiere, searchlight going around. It is incredible from the air. At the start of the hour it flickers for what, 5 or 10 minutes.
My heart sinks as I see this. I am in love. I am fascinated with this place.

I am like Meg Ryan in 'French Kiss' but I actually see the thing. She keeps missing it and then at the very end.
Wait til you go on it. My family can't get me down from there. It is Heaven.

We come into Paris and my French tourguide takes an earlier exit for the Champs Elysees due to le trafic. One f in French. What happened to circulation? That is what I had been taught in school.

First to the Champs, our special place, my special place! He told me he never goes there save when I come to town. Too much. I suppose I go places in LA only when tourists friends come to town, so fair.

We do the British roundabout at L'Arc de Triomphe. Oh my my. If you saw French Kiss and European Vacation you can relate. Americans have no business driving here, really, only the French, but the Italians could do well here as well. Cars dart in and out and it is scary. It is fun and exciting, yet scary. I hold on to my seatbelt and several cars miss us by that much. He knows what he is doing. The French are crazy drivers, but they are very skilled and it shows. There should have been 1000s of accidents and in the US there would have been, sorry, but true, but the French know what they are doing. Again, keep the Yanks out of this place, thanks.

I love L'Arc de Triomphe, it is special. I thought it was everyday. When Brian and I came back from South Africa, P was in Uzbekistan, we came here and they did the ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was beautiful.
I had no idea it was done once, twice a year, so we got lucky. A part of my heart is in France, and more so in Paris.
Paris is Heaven in many ways.

Paris

Before stopping at les Champs, and I am hungry, very thirsty, etc., but I want this, we go to the Eiffel Tower. It is sparkling. He drives up to it, turns around, then back to it 3 times, saying this is special for you. smile

I am so spoiled. This time I am! Usually people just kick me in the but so this is good.

Paris, le Tour Eiffel, la Seine, it is Heaven. I mean what else can you call this place!? the first time we came here with my family and this same kid was our tourguide, we went up on the Eiffel Tower. I felt as if I was in Heaven.

We didn't go up. Didn't have the time.
Monsieur had to be back for work at CDG at 0500 hours in the matin/morning.

So to the Champs and faire du parking.

Underground and then you hike up several flights of stairs. Outside it is cold, it is wet, but I love the snow. In Ohio I would go for walks in the snow. Though after everything settles, then it gets icky and slippery.

He said how cold it was, I explained this is actually warmer than London, if you can believe it. I can't speak for Frankfurt, I never got outside of the airport, laugh.

Our restaurant where we always go is closed. I am like, ok, he was actually sad.
Again, he only comes here when I come.
Dude, if I lived here, I would be here every weekend.

Oh and the women are to die for. Last time he dropped me off and I did the Champs and Virgin tour alone. Ah, the women, need I say more. What we American men call eye candy. Sweet it is.

Ok, so there is a Pizzeria, ristorante Italiano, sound good? He suggests it.
I am in France, should I not have French food? but I go for it. I love Italian food, but in France? Kind of ironic as when I go to Montreal they have the most incredible Italian food, something Angelenos can only dream about, with portions that Americans would sue over. No more supersize!

Up les escaliers/stairs and we get a table on the spot, which is a coup by itself.

The place is packed and crowded, yet very clean, intimate, and fun. You don't have the space that we have at our restaurants but at the same time, you can eavesdrop on everyone's conversations.

I love the French. I love to hear French.
I love to watch them. Their women are probably the most beautiful in the world. Yes, Italian and Israeli oh and Brazilian(not a kiss up, honey!) are up there, too. Actually, Brazilian women are wonderful and babes, whether it be a kiss up or not. LOL

It is fun to watch French people. No flight crew in the world impresses me more than Air France. I stand there like an idiot and I stare. They are so well dressed, very composed, and very good looking.

I stood there one time at Mirabel/Montreal and stared at the AF flight crew as they headed for security. One guy actually looked back, smiled, and waved. Awesome.

I get my coveted Orangina. It tastes better here in France than at home, even than in Montreal. Bread and butter, I have plenty.
How many Oranginas I order, I don't know. To my delight, le monsieur, who is part Italian, orders San Pellegrino, so I win on both counts. May I have some prego? Perrier is better, fyi.

We both get veal, mine is Milanese. It is Heavenly. The pasta that comes with it is Heavenly. The mousse au chocolat is to die for. Dieu benit la France. (God bless France)

Normally we would do the walkabout and Virgin Megastore(it is HUGE) pilgrimage, but he needs to be up at 5am and it is already late.

I will be back. ah duh. I was just here in November.

Back to CDG and this time we fly back.

Autoroute is empty. Even though I leave tomorrow, I see Paris for the last time tonight, always an emotional thing for me.

When we leave Paris it is like I am leaving a wonderful party. They are playing and I have to go. Montreal is the same. I hate it!! Though we in LA do ok.

I am already tired and I can feel it, le jetlag. My body clock is so off now.

I also am grateful for his sacrifice.

I get one last look at the Eiffel Tower.


Back to CDG I ask if we can please drive around Aerogare 1, one of my fav. places in the world, kind of like Heathrow's Terminal 4 and Frankfurt Terminal 1.

He does one better and we park. He brings his backpack, uh oh, I know what this means. Airport Shopping.

He says hello to colleages, as this is where he works.

Every timetable on the counter, some not on the counter , fall into the bag. There were some loose other goodies dans le sac(into the bag).

We tour everything. I get Icelandair Business Class luggage labels, yeah.

It is wonderful.

The woman is at the Emirates desk and he doesn't want to bother her, so I do.
I ask her in French for a couple of timetables and she smiles and hands them over. SFO Phil, see what I do for you!
He bought alot of dinners last time he was down here, so fair.

This was fun. I love this terminal and take one last look. They are going to remodel it. It needs a facelift badly, but I love it all the same.

I love that dingalingdong that goes off. So very French. Qatar Airways now boarding.

He shows me mercy and stops at a Total station for some drinks. Orangina which did me well at JFK and some waters. He even pays for them.

I never needed to exchange for one Euro.
I don't think I even used my bank or credit cards once while in France which was a good thing. I really pushed it.

BTW, when he comes here, his money is NO good and we have actually fought over a bill. I took he and another, who you will meet shortly, to my favorite Japanese restaurant near my university. The guy grabs the bill and pays it.

If you ever wanted to meet a wonderful Frenchman, here ya go.

He takes me to the hotel in the snow and it is all white now. A big hug and goodbye.

I am grateful that I didn't leave the window open as I would have had snow all over my bed.

I love the view of the snow falling past the old fashioned lanterns and it is just so beautiful. The planes in the yonder distance are all white covered in that pretty wintery stuff.

Some late night tv and some quick packing.

I am exhausted and so to bed.