Traveling-with-TLC

August 31, September 1, September 2

Travel Day to another country is a little intimidating. We were up at six to drive 2 hours to the airport in order to wait 3 hours to get on the plane for the first leg of the flight from Sacramento to Atlanta. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful. During our three hour layover in Atlanta we ate and messed with our iPhones. I was trying to figure out how to unlock my phone so I could use a different eSim in France. I got it unlocked, but was so frazzled that I ended up in tears. Airports combined with technology can be such a drag!! We found out that A. Char’s flight from Christchurch had been delayed and she would miss her connecting flight. Now we were all concerned about how to connect with A. Char seven hours after we landed. Goodness this is becoming a long day!

We put Mom on her plane and hour earlier than us. She was supposed to travel with us, but somehow Ted and I were moved to a different flight. When Ted and I got through customs (finally – although it was easy), we found Mom waiting calmly at the baggage claim. Originally, I had planned to wait and meet A. Char and have her ride to the timeshare with us. Because we had to pick up the car by, I thought we should pick it up and drive to a nearby spot to wait. By the time I got the car, I just needed to be someplace that felt safe and easy. I figured it was just a 1-1/2 hour drive to the timeshare. Perhaps we could just check-in and I could drive back to the airport and get A. Char. Not quite how it worked.

In the first place, driving in France is nerve-wracking. They have cameras everywhere that will just send you a ticket if they record you speeding. Not sure why I worry about that, because most of the time I’m driving much too slowly. Just ask any French person who has followed me since I’ve been driving in France! Because I drive so slowly, 1.5 hours becomes a 4.5 hour trip.

Once at the timeshare in Connelles, Ted was so exhausted he fell asleep. Mom and I were hungry (food over sleep of course!) so we went off to find a restaurant. We found a delightful place and enjoyed our lunch/dinner. I don’t know if it was the best salad either of us had ever eaten or if we were just starving!!

At the end of the meal and mom’s mojito, I felt almost at the end of my tether. I called Aunt Charlotte. She was past customs and just meeting up with the chauffer that Michael had arranged for her. I told her I could still come and get her. She almost sent the chauffer away until I told her that I was still 1.5 hours from the airport. She kept the chauffer and I gratefully went back to the condo. Thank you again, Michael for taking care of my aunt!!!

What a long day and I’m sorry to say a very long blog post! That was Sunday and Monday.

Tuesday all we managed to do was wander around the grounds of the condo which are really lovely.

We did have some fun at a local chocolate factory buying chocolates from the cashier who spoke no English. My six days of studying French certainly wasn’t too helpful! Credit cards work though.