France Journal for September 2011
Well I made it to Azay with just a few glitches. Several cons but a few nice pros too. I was sitting comfortably in the Admirals Club and at about 5:30 pm went to the gate for my 6:10 pm flight. When I got there I realized I had forgotten to set my watch to Chicago time so it was actually only 4:30 pm. Sigh. Back to the Admirals Club I went.
When I got to the gate at the correct time this time, it was packed and they were overbooked and looking for volunteers. Not me, not this time. And then the flight was an hour late. And I didn't get my upgrade so I had to suffer in coach. But I managed to sleep fairly well anyway. Killer on the knees though.
My luggage took forever to show up but at least it did show up. Then I went to pick up my car. Here's where the real horror occurred. They no longer have a Gold Booth out in the parking lot so I went out there for nothing and had to come all the way back into the Terminal. Sigh. There was a couple in front of me at the Gold Desk who were apparently having "issues" and were taking forever to get their damn car. The problem was not Hertz, it was definitely them being customers from hell. There was a huge line at the regular counter and a manicly disgruntled customer making a big scene and holding everybody else up. I did feel massive sympathy for the clerk he was abusing but by this point all I really cared about was that I had been waiting almost an hour. So much for Gold Service.
Finally Security came and took away the maniac and things started moving. The poor clerk who had been dealing with him took me next so even though I was really annoyed, tired, hot and frustrated, I made the effort to be extra pleasant to her. Just goes to show that you get what you sow. She was so appreciative of my patience and sympathetic remarks about the maniac, that she upgraded me to a fabulous Mercedes 220 with navigation. This was a really fine car.
The navigation came in handy even though I know my way just fine because of course by this time I was really tired. The car even has a system that notices when you stray a bit and it beeped at me really loudly with a flashing coffee cup and a sign that said "Attention Alert: Drowsiness Detected". I've never seen anything like that before. I took the hint and pulled over at a rest stop for a break and a coffee.
I finally got to Azay around 4 pm and picked up a few basic groceries. Then it was "home" to Atelier where Patrick and Dominique were waiting with hugs and good wishes.
I have now unpacked, got the kitchen sorted out, got the internet working and have settled in with my iPod and some stitching. My goal is stay awake until at least 10:00 pm. Then after a good night's sleep I should be adjusted to the time change.
I am so happy to be here at last!
When I got to the gate at the correct time this time, it was packed and they were overbooked and looking for volunteers. Not me, not this time. And then the flight was an hour late. And I didn't get my upgrade so I had to suffer in coach. But I managed to sleep fairly well anyway. Killer on the knees though.
My luggage took forever to show up but at least it did show up. Then I went to pick up my car. Here's where the real horror occurred. They no longer have a Gold Booth out in the parking lot so I went out there for nothing and had to come all the way back into the Terminal. Sigh. There was a couple in front of me at the Gold Desk who were apparently having "issues" and were taking forever to get their damn car. The problem was not Hertz, it was definitely them being customers from hell. There was a huge line at the regular counter and a manicly disgruntled customer making a big scene and holding everybody else up. I did feel massive sympathy for the clerk he was abusing but by this point all I really cared about was that I had been waiting almost an hour. So much for Gold Service.
Finally Security came and took away the maniac and things started moving. The poor clerk who had been dealing with him took me next so even though I was really annoyed, tired, hot and frustrated, I made the effort to be extra pleasant to her. Just goes to show that you get what you sow. She was so appreciative of my patience and sympathetic remarks about the maniac, that she upgraded me to a fabulous Mercedes 220 with navigation. This was a really fine car.
The navigation came in handy even though I know my way just fine because of course by this time I was really tired. The car even has a system that notices when you stray a bit and it beeped at me really loudly with a flashing coffee cup and a sign that said "Attention Alert: Drowsiness Detected". I've never seen anything like that before. I took the hint and pulled over at a rest stop for a break and a coffee.
I finally got to Azay around 4 pm and picked up a few basic groceries. Then it was "home" to Atelier where Patrick and Dominique were waiting with hugs and good wishes.
I have now unpacked, got the kitchen sorted out, got the internet working and have settled in with my iPod and some stitching. My goal is stay awake until at least 10:00 pm. Then after a good night's sleep I should be adjusted to the time change.
I am so happy to be here at last!