1/9/2015 Paris
Up at 6.00 am and off to the Maison Espanola for petit dejeuner (the
restaurant is open today). A little bit of nostalgia; the meal and people were
as good as last time I was there (on the initial feasibility study). It was
raining and cleared to slate-grey threatening skies. I will wait a day before
travelling to Versailles but may try for a dry-run into the Charles de Gaulle
Airport, after the morning crowd thins out.
It fined up a bit so I made a run for the RER station and set off for Charles De Gaulle Airport. Relatively easy to get there by RER (B) line although it takes a fair while, definitely the longest train trip I have taken within Paris. The Terminal 2 station is at the end of the line and I memorised all the landmarks so I could get back there. I then followed the arrows/signs to 2C, much as I had done "virtually" via the CDG website. There is a difference in logic however. The arrows started off pointing towards the direction that I had to go but then started pointing down?? I worked out that they were "telling" me I was on the right path, any change of direction had a directional arrow.
I went up three escalators/floors navigating this way to a departures area and again followed the signs towards 2C. There was a number of powered walkways to take me to the next building. I finally came to a series of numbered desks, with the usual "sheep herding" tape barriers, but no Aeroflot sign. I walked on further and there were a series of info booths, one of which did have an Aeroflot sign. I explained in English that I had a ticket to St Petersburg for Saturday and I was just locating where I had go ahead of time. The lonely info lady, who was fiddling with the water-cooler for something to do, explained that I would need to go to Desk/Gate 14 (just back a bit) at 10.30 am (earliest start) on Saturday for the 12.30 flight. So far so good.
I then backtracked down to the RER Terminal 2 station, with a few false turns but ultimately got there and chose the opposite platform to the one I arrived on. I thought about it later and given this was the end station that choice really did not make sense but luck was with me and it was the right train to get me back to Cite Internationale. I had subconsciously checked the overhead train notifications, as you do when you are tuned-in to travelling, but it was still more luck than good management. I was back to the Cite early afternoon, reasonably pleased with myself. So long as there is not a huge crowd on Saturday morning my trolley suitcase should not be a problem (there were a number of them on the train, either sitting on seats or at the doorways).
I am glad I could sort out my route before the time-deadline and potential luggage problems increased my stress levels. I find it is usually time well spent when you do not speak the language; unhurried Information staff usually speak better English. Particularly when there is not a long line of fretting customers all worried about their flights.
As for the CDG Airport (in the rain) well it is big, and crowded, and confusing but I was not blown-over by its styling. It looked a lot like Dubai in a neutral "international" way; complex, functional, and a bit idiosyncratic.
It fined up a bit so I made a run for the RER station and set off for Charles De Gaulle Airport. Relatively easy to get there by RER (B) line although it takes a fair while, definitely the longest train trip I have taken within Paris. The Terminal 2 station is at the end of the line and I memorised all the landmarks so I could get back there. I then followed the arrows/signs to 2C, much as I had done "virtually" via the CDG website. There is a difference in logic however. The arrows started off pointing towards the direction that I had to go but then started pointing down?? I worked out that they were "telling" me I was on the right path, any change of direction had a directional arrow.
I went up three escalators/floors navigating this way to a departures area and again followed the signs towards 2C. There was a number of powered walkways to take me to the next building. I finally came to a series of numbered desks, with the usual "sheep herding" tape barriers, but no Aeroflot sign. I walked on further and there were a series of info booths, one of which did have an Aeroflot sign. I explained in English that I had a ticket to St Petersburg for Saturday and I was just locating where I had go ahead of time. The lonely info lady, who was fiddling with the water-cooler for something to do, explained that I would need to go to Desk/Gate 14 (just back a bit) at 10.30 am (earliest start) on Saturday for the 12.30 flight. So far so good.
I then backtracked down to the RER Terminal 2 station, with a few false turns but ultimately got there and chose the opposite platform to the one I arrived on. I thought about it later and given this was the end station that choice really did not make sense but luck was with me and it was the right train to get me back to Cite Internationale. I had subconsciously checked the overhead train notifications, as you do when you are tuned-in to travelling, but it was still more luck than good management. I was back to the Cite early afternoon, reasonably pleased with myself. So long as there is not a huge crowd on Saturday morning my trolley suitcase should not be a problem (there were a number of them on the train, either sitting on seats or at the doorways).
I am glad I could sort out my route before the time-deadline and potential luggage problems increased my stress levels. I find it is usually time well spent when you do not speak the language; unhurried Information staff usually speak better English. Particularly when there is not a long line of fretting customers all worried about their flights.
As for the CDG Airport (in the rain) well it is big, and crowded, and confusing but I was not blown-over by its styling. It looked a lot like Dubai in a neutral "international" way; complex, functional, and a bit idiosyncratic.
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