The adventure begins. I drop off the kids at Moni's, where out of no where the waterworks begin!!! I was full on bawling on the way to the airport. Thankfully, Tammy, who dropped me off, said it was just nerves and stress. As we drive to the airport, I am receiving texts from Rey, who is already checked in and waiting for me at the gate. Yikes!!! I was still on the 405. Luckily, no traffic and Tammy drops me off at 4:30ish at the Air France terminal, which was perfect timing, since my flight is at 6:35 pm. I quickly go through the gate and security and see Rey. We decide to get a drink and something to eat, since our flight will be about 10 1/2 hours. I had to make my phone call to Ben, which only lasted 20 or so minutes. Anyways, we go off and find a nice little airport bar that serves food. I believe it is called Roadhouse. I order a strawberry daquiri and a pork pulled sandwich and Rey orders a dirty martini and a turkey panini. When we finally received our food, we here a Air France gate attendant shouting something. She walks towards the restaurant and says anyone here for Paris. I jump from my seat and tell her yes, we are!! She says we have been waiting for you. You are the last passengers to board. I look at Rey and say, we need to go, it's our flight. I look at the attendant and ask if I can bring my food. She says yes. She walks us quickly to our gate and holds my plate as I dig frantically for my boarding pass and passport. Everyone at the gate seems perturbed. I offer everyone a french fry, but I had no takers. The gate attendant continues to walk down the ramp with my food as I gather my stuff. As I walk by, I am very apologetic to the staff I encounter. As I am about to board the plane, the gate attendant hands me back my plate and I am looking for Rey who is not directly behind me. I am thinking at this point he wanted space between us and did not want anyone to know that we were traveling together. I am greeted by the the airline crew now, which I of course offer my fries, again no takers. As I walk to my seat, I am apologizing and receiving some annoyed looks. But, what could I do, I couldn't leave my pulled pork sandwich behind!!!
At last, I am sitting in my cramped coach aisle seat with my plate of food in front of me. Rey finally catches up and is seating across the aisle from me. I of course speak to him, which now verifies that we are traveling together. He tells me that I may have to eat all my food before we take off. I look at the gigantic sandwich and fries and start on the feat in front of me. I was defeated before halfway finishing my sandwich. I was able to demolish most of the fries, which of course I offered to my neighbors, yet again no takers. It turns out that I didn't have to finish my food before take off. Yet, it didn't matter, I couldn't have finished it. It also turns out that we were not the last ones to board the plane. Anyways, after that whole chaotic, anxious, and stressful event, I sigh and realize that I am now going to be sitting here for the next 10 hours!!! UGH!!! Luckily, Air France had entertainment. Each seat had their own monitor, which had several choices of what to do. They had cinemas/movies, games, music, TV/shows, geo status, news, international, and other choices that I don't remember. I decided to start with a movie. I chose Tropic Thunder, which seemed funny. Unfortunately, I still don't know if it was funny because i kept falling asleep and waking up throughout the movie. Oh! Well, it will probably be a choice for on the way back and I can watch it again then. I was able to doze off here and there. We were also given two meals, which were very good, for airplane food. Eventually, we made it to Paris at 2:00, french time. We now had a 9 hour wait!!! What to do? Well, of course, you are thinking we should go out and see Paris. the only problem was that it was 2 degrees Celsius. Being the southern Californian that I am, I was wearing thin capris sweats, a thin long sleeve, and my Rainbows: > Definitely not the appropriate attire for Paris in the winter. So, we venture out and find out where our next flight will be and check out the airport, our temporary home for the next 9 hours.
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