Always Fun to Go, but Great to get HOME!

 

We’re back in Tucson, after a very l-o-n-g day!  To recount!

 

Up Friday morning about 4:30 am to get our shuttle to the airport (CDG) at 6 am.  Showered, downstairs and checked out by 5:45 am – in fact, while reception is open 24/7, it really isn’t … or only sorta…I think we woke up the poor night manager, as he was in his t-shirt, sweat pants and slippers.  It was totally dark downstairs and the trashcans were at the door waiting to be taken out!  At any rate, soon lights were on, we were checked out, and our shuttle came a bit early.

 

Very easy ride to CDG, and we were there about 6:35 am.  Delta Airlines desks were open and our bags were tagged (while I definitely go carry-on whenever possible, on the way home, my feeling is, if it gets there, it gets there … and I never put anything in a suitcase that I will regret losing anyway!)  But on the way home, all bets are off; the plane can schlep it!  (Although honestly, this time, with each case including some incredible Roquefort cheese, this time I would have had regrets!!!)

 

We were through immigration in a minute or two, and likewise security!  It was great – the only things we had to take off this time were our jackets; that was it!  Everything else – liquids, computers, iPads, phones – everything could go through the scanners!  Yay!!

 

That did leave us several hours at the airport, but no problem.  With chargers everywhere at the lovely, but huge, Terminal 2 at CDG, we just settled ourselves down to wait.  I got R two croissants and coffee, as one last Parisian “hurrah” which he really enjoyed, but I wasn’t really hungry.

 

The difficult came in getting on the plane.  I think it had been at the airport all night, and was parked remotely … somewhere.  That meant we had to get there by bus … and of course it was raining.  Down the ramp and outside and on to the bus … must have taken at least 5-8 minutes to drive to the bus, and then people were only let off in stages to board.  Finally on-board, and the plane was like a meat-locker!  Seriously!  One poor flight attendant quite literally wore her long black quilted coat the entire flight!  Plane finally loaded, and they closed the doors.  They did what they could with the heat, but once something is chilled like that, it’s tough to warm up.  Fortunately, in Premium Economy, they provide nice blankets which we both used to wrap up!

 

For some reason, the plane ride – about 10 hours – to Salt Lake City, didn’t seem very long at all!  (Comment from R: After Margaret’s recent trip to Singapore, with 17 hour flights, of course 10 hours doesn’t seem long.)  Our choice for dinner was their chicken breast in a tomato sauce, served with pasta and spinach, was excellent.  Of course a repeat of the movies (a lot of choices but most very poor) we had seen on the way over, but we both managed to find enough entertainment to keep us busy.  They also provided free wi-fi, which was nice to be able to keep up with email.  So weird to be connected while flying!  In no time at all we were getting ready to land at SLC.

 

Not too far to walk to baggage claim, where our bags came relatively quickly.  Thanks to Global Entry, we were through in seconds – don’t even need to show passports anymore!  Then, rechecked our bags and cleared security yet a second time – very quickly, and headed to gate 43, our gate to Phoenix!  We had plenty of time to make the connection, and the airport at SLC (notwithstanding my slippery floor fall the first time around) is really lovely!  We had no idea!  Truly, the PHX-SLC-CDG connection works beautifully, and we would both highly recommend going through SLC as an entry/re-entry point into the US if at all possible!  Very impressive!

 

Our flight to PHX was on-time and looked to be on a new aircraft.  It was very plush and comfortable, and took only about an hour and a half, which was great!  Picked up our bags and caught the Sky Train to the Rental Car Center.

 

Out with the rental car – a nice Hyundai Elantra from Enterprise about 6:30 pm.  Once on the freeway, however, it turned out there was a 21 minute delay at Riggs road, which is a traditional block heading south from Phoenix.  We decided to instead to take the 60 East to Florence and come in “the back way” … through Florence to Oracle and home.  It adds about 20 minutes more, but the roads are almost always clear … it’s very deserted on that highway, especially at night!  A bit difficult driving, considering how long we had been awake, but we made it without difficulty (and traffic!!) which is more to the point.  Got home a bit before 9 pm.  

My incredible bestie, Jay, had made her amazing split-pea soup for us, and left it in the fridge, so we were actually able to have a hot meal on our return!  Truly, what a blessing after such a long day.  With it, she included her wonderful home-made roquefort dressing -- my favorite -- with romaine!  Talk about a comfort meal!!  Thank you, Jay!!!!

 

Unpacked and re-organized and went to bed somewhere around 11 pm.  R apparently got up this morning around 4 am; I slept in until 7:15!  Yay!  The wonderful start of jet-lag!  Always something to look forward to!!  We decided to return the rental car first, and get that over with … so out we headed … only to run into the one and only, annual Tour-de-Tucson Bike Race!  UGH!  The race route ran west to east across nearly the entire city and no traffic could cross, cutting Tucson in half.  I am definitely a cycling fan, but running into a major race – and this is definitely BIG in Tucson!!  Everything stops!  

 

We both managed to find our way to the airport, but what I hadn’t realized (blame it on jet-lag…) was that I went off without my cell phone, so there was absolutely no way for the two of us to connect!  Not sure how R found the airport, but I did a U-turn and worked my way around the stoppages, got to the airport and turned the car in.  Borrowed the wonderful Luis’ cell phone (generous staff member of Enterprise; thank you, so much!) and called Robert.  R had also found his way there, and we were able to connect once again!  R was very unhappy that I hadn’t been answering my cell phone … until I told him that it was (hopefully) still at home!  Oh well!  It was! 

 

Back home now and mid-wash and clearing debris and mail!  So nice to be here!  As I started, it’s always fun to get away, especially someplace new, like Tunisia.  We SO enjoyed our trip, and it was GREAT hearing from so many friends along the way!  Thank you ALL for coming with us, and take care until our next adventure!

 

Lots of love always,

m

xxx