Almost midnight here in the CEST

Jul 31, 2022, 6:07 PM

and have to head home first thing in the morning.

We were supposed to head home last Friday AM, but Thu at about 10pm I get an email from United that our flight was cancelled. That’s it. No explanation, no rebooking, nothing. Spent 45 min on the phone with an exceptionally unhelpful customer service rep, her only proposed solution was a rebooking on a flight for Thursday, as in 6 days later. I looked at every airline in every Western European city, and the first flight I could find home that wasn’t $10,000+ per ticket was tomorrow on Air France, and it wasn’t a much better price. I was lucky to get them, even if bent over and violated.

So, twist my arm, meant another three day weekend in Paris. We spend it well, moved from Rue Cler in the 7th to St Germain de Pres in the 6th to get a little different vibe, and had a great weekend. Was able to see so much more that we couldn’t see in the original three days. Went to Versailles, the Orsay, Rodin museum, Montmartre, much more.

So, first and last time flying United. I’m sure I’ll get a refund, but don’t expect any compensation for how much more I had to spend to rebook. They can s my d. Paris is great. Lyon is average but Rhone valley wines are awesome. Have a case of Guigal wines being shipped home, shipping alone costs €300. Ouch. Annecy was spectacular. God bless grandparents for keeping kids.

You know what’s great about European cities? They were built for people, long before cars existed. American cities are built for cars, not people. You know what I miss most about the US and am going to go straight for? A bucket of fried chicken and a case of ice cold busch light. They do a lot of stuff better or equal, but there is no European substitute for those two things.

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Doesn’t matter. Colonels extra crispy, Publix, Rush’s, I’ll take anything. With some hot sauce.

It sucked big balls having the cost of the trip literally doubled instantly by an airline deciding they didn’t want to live up to their end of the agreement, but once I accepted it and moved on, we had a great weekend. I feel badly for people who may not be able to rebook and have to spend days in the airport or some hovel literally stuck with no options. The airline industry has serious, serious issues going on right now.

Flight problem’s notwithstanding, it was a spectacular trip. France is great, the people were great, 10/10 for sure. There’s a lot more here I’d like to come back and see, Marseilles, Nice, strasbourg, Avignon, etc. This was my wife’s first time in Europe so it was really exciting seeing her experience different culture for the first time. There’s just a whole different way of living here, you hope it sticks with you when you go home.

Almost midnight here in the CEST

I can’t imagine having that happen (w flight).

Re: I can’t imagine having that happen (w flight).

Glad I still never want to go to France.

Re: Glad I still never want to go to France.

RA’d!***

Re: Almost midnight here in the CEST

Wow, that would have bankrupted some people

When your luggage tags begin with Dr.***

Re: When your luggage tags begin with Dr.***

Re: Wow, that would have bankrupted some people

I'm fairly certain the Queen Mary has a daily trip

Bravo sir, bravo!!!!!

Ever the critic

Au contraire, mon frere.

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