Thursday, May 5, 2011

Thursday, May 5 Paris to Firenze

Arriving at LAX last night we saw full police presence. I'm not sure at what level alert we're at since they found Bin L. I took my first full body scan at the Security Checkpoint. The sign said it was equal to 10 minutes of radiation we encounter flying in an airplane.

I entered the little booth and raised my hands for a few seconds. Then I had to stand there and wait for the attendant to receive an audio Ok on his headset. I was cleared to go.

I prefer to arrive a few hours earlier than necessary. It gives me time to de-stress from work and transition to my own free time. I read and rearranged my carryon bag.
Paris. I slept with dreams all the way, waking up just in time for the breakfast tray. I try not to eat any airplane food, but I did drink the orange juice. I brought tangerines with me. The French bread and butter they offered were not truly French. On the return flight, I look forward to real bread, butter and cheese.

I had a pleasant conversation with the passenger to my left. She and her husband (suffering from either Alzheimer or dementia) are traveling to Israel for their annual three week trip. She mentioned how much she enjoyed a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe, without the pressure of rushing about. Impossible to do in Los Angeles she said. Americans know how to relax. They just need to go somewhere else to do it.

We arrived on time at Charles de Gaul airport in Paris. Passport control and bag security was not quickly done as it was last November. I noticed a lot of eye contact this time. I passed three French soldiers dressed in camouflage. They each carried well worn automatic weapons. They were in a state of ready. I had no eye contact with them.

I realized I forgot my watch last night. I bought a Swiss Swatch for 73 E here in the 2G terminal. I decided against refilling my water bottle and instead bought a bottle of Evian water for 3 E.

I'm traveling in black jeans and sandals but I'm sorry I decided against leggings. Note to myself for the next trip. I came with only one suitcase. My new travel scale was accurate and I weighed in at 50 pounds, just at the max. I also brought back one of my cheap (Chinese) carry-on bags, which bought out of desperation last time at the outdoor mercato in Firenze. I think I can pack it with books and check it as a bag for the return trip.

I want to check in at Louis Vuitton in Firenze to see about a nice carry-on for future use. It might be over my budget, but I want to look.

As we boarded, everyone was grabbing the free newspapers, all displaying the same big headlines. I picked an Italian paper. 'No pictures will be shown says Obama.' Instead, some Pakistani photos are front page.

The flight from Paris to Firenze was half full of a group of a happy French crowd. I need to check if there is a playoff here tomorrow. Just after we landed, the stewardess made an announcement and everyone started cheering, then singing a short song. They were Fans of some sort.

As we had started our descent into the airport we had a minor medical event. A girl sitting one person away from me began to feel pain in her head. At first I saw her clutch hand to her forehead and then her companion leaned into help her. I could see tears silently rolling down her face. The quick acting flight attendant brought a plastic cup containing a white gel, which she had quickly sqeezed out of a tube. The girl held it up to her noise to breathe it in. I could smell a faint odor of eucalyptus. It brought her instant relief. As soon as we touched down, she was smiling and out of pain.

I sent Leo a text message to let him know I had arrived.

I took a taxi from the airport to Hotel Cestelli. As we pulled up I saw the outside door was still open and it was 9.00 pm. So sweet because I knew Alessio had left it open for me. I ran the buzzer. So wonderful to be greates by a friend. He came bounding down the stairs and hugged me.

I thanked him for leaving the door open. He told me he had checked the Internet to see if the flight was on time.

He locked the outside door and carried my bag up. It weighs exactly 50 pounds. I brought my new hand scale with me, so I'll have no worries about being over weight.
Asumi, his sweet wife, was waiting at the hotel entrance on the second floor. Hugs all around and they asked about Leo's health.

In my room, I've found a box of chocolates from Ballerini Pasticceria, located on Borgo Ognissanti. Ummmm so delicious !! Truffle style chocolates and I've already eaten two pieces.






I made a quick tonight to run over to Edison Bookstore and bought an audio CD of Dante's Divinia Commedia and two books by Gianrico Carofiglio who is a magistrate as well as an author. His books give me an idea of how the legal system works here. I've already read one of his novels, using an audiobook to help for pronouncian. I hope to find a few audiobooks this week.

I skipped dinner in my favorite restaurant tonight. I'm not hungry.

No word from Leo although I texted him 3 hours ago. It's just before midnight and time to sleep.

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