Although I can’t promise how much of a travelogue I will have time for while in France to cover the World Equestrian Games, I do have a few observations to share…so far.
Let me start out by saying that I broke up the journey to and from France so that exhaustion would not be a factor. I flew from Edmonton (Alberta) to Toronto (Ontario), a roughly 4-hour flight due to head winds and a 2-hour time difference. I stayed over in Toronto that night, which was a good thing since the flight into YYZ arrived about an hour late.
I then flew to Paris, approximately a 7.5-hour flight and a 6-hour time difference. If you’re keeping track, that’s 8 hours difference from MST in Alberta and 11.5 hours of flying. At Charles De Gaulle airport I caught the train into Paris’ Gare du Nord, where I transferred to another line that brought me within minutes of my hotel. Conveniently, this hotel is mere steps away from the Gare Saint-Lazare where I will board another train, but this time to Caen, the main host city for WEG. Same time zone, thankfully!

Gare Saint-Lazare

Because I expect to be busy in Caen, starting with the Opening Ceremonies this evening – and I have a bit of time now (before I board my train), I thought I’d share my experiences and thoughts so far.
This journey started out with an interesting conversation at the Edmonton airport with an experienced flight attendant from a major airline. After a while we settled on the topic of changes in flying from her perspective and from mine. Eventually she informed me that she had some concerns about the Canadian government’s approval of a reduction in flight attendants on flights. The old regulation required one flight attendant per 40 passengers. The new regulation requires one flight attendant for 50 passengers. While her concern was primarily based on the added responsibility of 10 additional passengers in an emergency situation, my concern was the difference in those passengers. When the ‘40’ rule was established, the ‘average’ passenger was much more likely to take orders and follow procedures than the ‘average’ passenger of today. This gave both of us cause for concern. I wonder whether such things will be considered when the first major incident occurs.
I arrived at the Toronto airport well in advance of my flight to Paris. (For some reason charter airlines request that passengers be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure.) This left me ample time to sit outside. While chatting with a woman returning from her home country of Ireland, I noticed another woman in the same area. This woman was shaking and tearing up without actually crying. She got up at one point and went to purchase a ginger ale. As the Irish lady and I continued our talk, I observed the other woman drink half her soda and then reach into a carry-on bad, grab an item of clothing and vomit into it. The Irish woman and I left, but I stopped some security personnel to report that the woman on the bench was unwell. The first response was: “She’s probably afraid of flying.” When I did not appear to believe that excuse, the second response was: “She’s probably homeless.” When I once again did not appear to be satisfied with that explanation, the third response was: “Everything is on camera and somebody else will have noticed.” Again, I was not appeased and mentioned the potential biohazard, so the fourth reply was: “I called my supervisor and described her location and what she is wearing.” Over a period of at least 45 minutes thereafter, no one checked on the woman. This lack of vigilance made me wonder if it was part of the reason that outbreaks of ‘foreign’ diseases seem to happen in Toronto first. Think about it. Whether she was homeless, a drug addict or a stricken passenger, I sure hope I never get ill at the Toronto airport!
I landed safely at Charles de Gaulle airport, found my luggage immediately and breezed through customs. That hardly ever happens, but I sure wasn’t complaining. Having researched things on the internet and confirming them with a helpful flight attendant, I headed to a different airport terminal to board a train for Paris and then transfer to another train. All went smoothly, but I wished I was just toting a small backpack instead of 3 weeks’ worth of clothing and equipment in a suitcase and a carry-on bag. According to my calculations, I will not have to go to the gym for at least a week. That last comment is only slightly sarcastic, by the way.
On the train ride into the city, I was reminded of the sadness I felt when arriving in Germany to cover WEG 8 years ago. It is a damned pity when grand old architecture is covered with graffiti. I sure hope tagging goes out of fashion soon.
Paris, like New York, is a walking city, and, like New York, the walkers do not wait for the lights to indicate it is safe to walk. If there’s no traffic, a do-not-walk signal means nothing.
Also, like New York and many other cities, there are homeless people in Paris. Today’s early morning walk (sans luggage) to scope out my route (avec baggage) to the Caen train revealed many of them sleeping on the cement near and at the train station. One early riser approached me inside the station, and, despite not being able to understand the rapid French, the expression and the gesture of an outstretched hand are universal.
I did not provide the favor that lady was seeking, but I did manage a good deed for the day. After watching a Japanese couple take turns photographing each other in front of various landmarks, I took a picture of them together…on their camera, of course. They were very thankful and I was glad I did it.
At breakfast, I spoke with a couple from Australia who are also heading to Caen today. They’re not going to WEG. The husband is a history buff, so they’re off to the Normandy beaches, etc. They had been a bit disappointed in their ability to schedule the days they wanted in Caen, but after hearing about WEG, they forgave their travel agent. Does that count as 2 good deeds for the day?