That didn't last long
September 26 - Airport Lounge, Mauritus
WOW, currently I am ensconsced in the Air Mauritius Lounge at the airport but getting here was EPIC! Okay, first off, the sign I previously saw for Avis Rental Cars, out by a round about (traffic circle) near the airpor, tyeah NO ONE down there had a clue as to what that sign alludes to. There is NO Avis any where there, they told me I had to go to the airport. SO, I drive to the airport, make a few laps do not see a SINGLE sign for rental car return. Finally I say screw it and just pull into the parking lot and walk to the terminal. Well, on the lower level, (arrivals) there's nothing but the exit from customs. So I go upstairs, they tell me no, back down stairs. I have to talk my way past the security guard he keeps saying no entree, no entry, FINALLY when I show him the Avis car keys he gets it and in I go.
Well the guy behind the avis desk tells me to park in Car Rental Parking and he'll meet me there. I have NO idea where that is and he says oh, it's just right near here, out there. I finally find it after making laps around the lot, it's actually behind the bus parking. Again NO SIGNS point to it, only one sign the size of a postage stamp right at the lot (that holds about 15 cars). BUT I found it, the guy was there to meet me. He checked the car saw there was no damage, It was down 1/4 tank I said FINE, I'll pay for that, no problem. He tells me go upstairs and check in then come back down and deal with him.
SO, haul all the crap across the street and up a level to departures (thank GOD I found an elevator). SO, the Air France check in desk is MOBBED, even just for bag drop. I'm standing there for 20 minutes and the line has not moved. Finally, by the grace of the travel Gods the person allowing folks to go to the business check in spots me at the back of the line and says, Is it just you? I say oui and she flags me to the business counter. At the business counter they say my bag is over weight, but if I want to check a second bag that would be free. I'm like DO I LOOK LIKE I'VE GOT A SPARE SUITCASE LAYING AROUND? I said, no problem, I'll pay for it. WELL unlike the US you can't pay for it at the counter. She printed my boarding passes, but held onto them until I went to yet another desk across the way to pay for the excess baggage.
SO, over to the other desk I go, turn in all the paperwork, while they are processing that, I spot the guy from Avis frantically running around looking for me (I'm guessing). I wave him down and he actually brought all my paper work to ME. What a doll! SO, I signed off on that while they were processing the excess baggage fee. I get the baggage fee paperwork and have to bring it BACK OVER to the check in desk. Then and only then will she label my bag and give me my boarding passes (even though I'd printed them out at the house).
FINALLY through passport control and security. Did one quick lap of the tiny 6 gate airport and said, YEAH, nothing here I want, and wandered back to the club lounge and am noshing on pretzels, coke light, and wine.
And even with ALL that it was only 90 minutes from leaving the house to getting through security. (Though if I hadn't been pulled out of the check-in line and moved to the business check in I would STILL be out there!) I've been instructed to NOT lose the excess baggage form, that they'll ask for it in Paris. But I don't think I need to reclaim the bag in Paris, I pretty sure it goes straight through, so not exactly sure when they'll ask for it. Guess I'll see.
WOW, just wow, that was WAY more running around then I would've thought. Thank goodness I had left early, because if I was running close on time I would've been FRANTIC!
Okay, I do have to ask, everyone in this lounge is quietly working on laptops, black berry's, ipads, etc, except ONE guy who is holding an extended conversation in Japanese, and of COURSE he's plopped down right beside me! YAY!
Can I just be home now please????
WOW, currently I am ensconsced in the Air Mauritius Lounge at the airport but getting here was EPIC! Okay, first off, the sign I previously saw for Avis Rental Cars, out by a round about (traffic circle) near the airpor, tyeah NO ONE down there had a clue as to what that sign alludes to. There is NO Avis any where there, they told me I had to go to the airport. SO, I drive to the airport, make a few laps do not see a SINGLE sign for rental car return. Finally I say screw it and just pull into the parking lot and walk to the terminal. Well, on the lower level, (arrivals) there's nothing but the exit from customs. So I go upstairs, they tell me no, back down stairs. I have to talk my way past the security guard he keeps saying no entree, no entry, FINALLY when I show him the Avis car keys he gets it and in I go.
Well the guy behind the avis desk tells me to park in Car Rental Parking and he'll meet me there. I have NO idea where that is and he says oh, it's just right near here, out there. I finally find it after making laps around the lot, it's actually behind the bus parking. Again NO SIGNS point to it, only one sign the size of a postage stamp right at the lot (that holds about 15 cars). BUT I found it, the guy was there to meet me. He checked the car saw there was no damage, It was down 1/4 tank I said FINE, I'll pay for that, no problem. He tells me go upstairs and check in then come back down and deal with him.
SO, haul all the crap across the street and up a level to departures (thank GOD I found an elevator). SO, the Air France check in desk is MOBBED, even just for bag drop. I'm standing there for 20 minutes and the line has not moved. Finally, by the grace of the travel Gods the person allowing folks to go to the business check in spots me at the back of the line and says, Is it just you? I say oui and she flags me to the business counter. At the business counter they say my bag is over weight, but if I want to check a second bag that would be free. I'm like DO I LOOK LIKE I'VE GOT A SPARE SUITCASE LAYING AROUND? I said, no problem, I'll pay for it. WELL unlike the US you can't pay for it at the counter. She printed my boarding passes, but held onto them until I went to yet another desk across the way to pay for the excess baggage.
SO, over to the other desk I go, turn in all the paperwork, while they are processing that, I spot the guy from Avis frantically running around looking for me (I'm guessing). I wave him down and he actually brought all my paper work to ME. What a doll! SO, I signed off on that while they were processing the excess baggage fee. I get the baggage fee paperwork and have to bring it BACK OVER to the check in desk. Then and only then will she label my bag and give me my boarding passes (even though I'd printed them out at the house).
FINALLY through passport control and security. Did one quick lap of the tiny 6 gate airport and said, YEAH, nothing here I want, and wandered back to the club lounge and am noshing on pretzels, coke light, and wine.
And even with ALL that it was only 90 minutes from leaving the house to getting through security. (Though if I hadn't been pulled out of the check-in line and moved to the business check in I would STILL be out there!) I've been instructed to NOT lose the excess baggage form, that they'll ask for it in Paris. But I don't think I need to reclaim the bag in Paris, I pretty sure it goes straight through, so not exactly sure when they'll ask for it. Guess I'll see.
WOW, just wow, that was WAY more running around then I would've thought. Thank goodness I had left early, because if I was running close on time I would've been FRANTIC!
Okay, I do have to ask, everyone in this lounge is quietly working on laptops, black berry's, ipads, etc, except ONE guy who is holding an extended conversation in Japanese, and of COURSE he's plopped down right beside me! YAY!
Can I just be home now please????