Off to the USA

Today was a particularly easy day despite starting at a somewhat ungodly hour.  I flew to the United States but before getting aboard the plane I had to get to Orly Airport.  This involved getting Metro ligne 12 two stops and changing to Metro ligne 4.  The walk between the two lines is considerable and since I was travelling with hand baggage alone, it probably seemed further than it actually was.  Once aboard ligne 4 it was about 20 stops to the square from which the Orlybus departs.

Virginia came that far with me and then I crammed myself aboard the crowded bus for the 45 minute trip to the airport.  Friends had told us that they preferred Orly to Charles de Gaulle and it is easy to see why.  It is easier to get around in, certainly on this occasion the lines were short and progress was swift.  There was a bit of a problem because I was leaving France on my Australian passport and entering America on my United States passport, but that was quickly and efficiently sorted by the airline staff.  Indeed, so efficient was the entire process that 30 minutes after arriving at the airport I was sitting in the departure lounge!

Orly has lots of shops both before you pass through the gates to the departure lounge and even after.  With time to kill, I sat and read.

The airline I was taking from Paris to Miami was Corsair and that is the second largest airline in France.  They were also the cheapest flight by a considerable amount.  The plane was an A320 which was a bit shabby, but quite acceptable.  There was one main meal and a "snack" later.  Overhead screens showed a fairly recent film and some shorts.  Staff were fine although at lunch they seemed to have great difficulty in understanding that I didn't want wine with the meal.  What was this - an adult male passenger not wanting wine, or at least beer, with his meal.  Quelle Horreur!

Nine hours after taking off I was in Miami.  It is a bright, shiny airport but lots of long walks and one has to show one's passport or customs duane time and time again.  My old friend Barry met me and after settling in, the two of us went out for an early dinner.  I had forgotten what a wonderful dish Florida Lobster is.  That, a baked potato, a salad with blue cheese dressing and a piece of key lime pie for dessert made a terrific meal.