I recently came back from a short trip to what seemed like my college alumnus country, US of A - an almost 3 week work trip where I saw everything that mother nature had to offer in bountiful proportions :)
It all began with a wonderful AF flight from Bangalore to Paris, which reminded me of a bus journey in mountainous Bhutan. Ok maybe not an anonymous city bus, a Volvo bus, but a rickety, nasty, pissed off bus nonetheless. I hate, absolutely hate, sitting in middle seats of the middle column of a flight. Thankfully no annoying babies on either side, but babbling kids were abound. This was a 9 hour flight to Paris, and I was looking forward to some sleep and watching a movie
Now AF is my least favourite airline, though paradoxically I have been on 2 round trips with them. I am almost certain they recruit the most snobbish stewards and elderly air hostesses from the available pool. A large contingent of french pensioners seem to be the beneficiaries of AF's recruiting policy. So much so, they should consider including a couple of lines in their safety instructions. "Please wear your seat belts at all times for your safety, we are now going to dim the cabin lights to enhance the appearance of your air hostesses, have a safe flight".
About 45 minutes after the flight took off, at around 2 a.m or so, was when the slight turbulence started. I had started watching the Black Swan when the incessant PA announcements began. Please return to your seats repeated in 3 languages. The buckle seat belt on sign started behaving like a moody girl, unable to decide between sit-your-ass-down On, or get up and and run to the loo Off. The only thought on everyone's mind seemed to be will I ever get to go to the elusive loo.
Every time someone would get up, catching the seat belt sign and the lavatory available lights in a rare unison there was ruckus around, 5 contenders noisily getting up for the last musical chair spot. Invariably a few of them would return grumbling about the air hostess' insistence to buckle up as the seat belt sign switched sides. This drama went on for over an hour and a half as we seemed to pass rough weather and clear skies almost interlaced in a way which would make the double helix proud.
Just when we seemed to have passed the worst of the weather, AF decided to reward us with worst of their food. I have never been a fan of aircraft food, so I had no expectations. My panish neighbor though made it amply clear what she and her husband thought of the food and demanded an "edible dinner".
Post dinner things settled down and I managed to finish watching the movie. The movie itself was beautifully shot and Natallie Portman's portrayal of a conflicted soul was outstanding. After the movie I relied upon my sleep anywhere ability to doze through most of the remaining journey. I woke up in time for the landing at CDG, probably the worlds largest parking lot. It takes forever to taxi in that airport and then we travel for an equally long time getting from one terminal to the other.
I had a 5 hour layover in Paris, of which only 45 minutes was free Wifi spread across 3 devices. I bought myself a good lunch and coffee and finished up some pending work in the airport, stretched out in the recliners looking out into the runways as flights fought for ever diminishing parking space.
It all began with a wonderful AF flight from Bangalore to Paris, which reminded me of a bus journey in mountainous Bhutan. Ok maybe not an anonymous city bus, a Volvo bus, but a rickety, nasty, pissed off bus nonetheless. I hate, absolutely hate, sitting in middle seats of the middle column of a flight. Thankfully no annoying babies on either side, but babbling kids were abound. This was a 9 hour flight to Paris, and I was looking forward to some sleep and watching a movie
Now AF is my least favourite airline, though paradoxically I have been on 2 round trips with them. I am almost certain they recruit the most snobbish stewards and elderly air hostesses from the available pool. A large contingent of french pensioners seem to be the beneficiaries of AF's recruiting policy. So much so, they should consider including a couple of lines in their safety instructions. "Please wear your seat belts at all times for your safety, we are now going to dim the cabin lights to enhance the appearance of your air hostesses, have a safe flight".
About 45 minutes after the flight took off, at around 2 a.m or so, was when the slight turbulence started. I had started watching the Black Swan when the incessant PA announcements began. Please return to your seats repeated in 3 languages. The buckle seat belt on sign started behaving like a moody girl, unable to decide between sit-your-ass-down On, or get up and and run to the loo Off. The only thought on everyone's mind seemed to be will I ever get to go to the elusive loo.
Every time someone would get up, catching the seat belt sign and the lavatory available lights in a rare unison there was ruckus around, 5 contenders noisily getting up for the last musical chair spot. Invariably a few of them would return grumbling about the air hostess' insistence to buckle up as the seat belt sign switched sides. This drama went on for over an hour and a half as we seemed to pass rough weather and clear skies almost interlaced in a way which would make the double helix proud.
Just when we seemed to have passed the worst of the weather, AF decided to reward us with worst of their food. I have never been a fan of aircraft food, so I had no expectations. My panish neighbor though made it amply clear what she and her husband thought of the food and demanded an "edible dinner".
Post dinner things settled down and I managed to finish watching the movie. The movie itself was beautifully shot and Natallie Portman's portrayal of a conflicted soul was outstanding. After the movie I relied upon my sleep anywhere ability to doze through most of the remaining journey. I woke up in time for the landing at CDG, probably the worlds largest parking lot. It takes forever to taxi in that airport and then we travel for an equally long time getting from one terminal to the other.
I had a 5 hour layover in Paris, of which only 45 minutes was free Wifi spread across 3 devices. I bought myself a good lunch and coffee and finished up some pending work in the airport, stretched out in the recliners looking out into the runways as flights fought for ever diminishing parking space.
