Monday, June 23, 2008

Departures are...Complex


So, after three hours on the Toronto International Airport tarmac, and two hours of scrupulous investigation and fine-tuning of the cabin temperature control system, we took flight for Paris with a faulty engine. Forced to turn back soon after hitting the Atlantic, our pilot decided to land in the sprawling metropolis of St. John's, Newfoundland at the convenient hour of 4:30 am. Luckily, we were pretty quickly bussed off to the pedestrian polyester splendor that is the Delta Motel. However, we will naturally have to adhere to the strict 12 o'clock checkout policy and gather in the conference room to watch Finding Nemo until we return to the airport at 5pm. Needless to say, Paris glimmers in the abbreviated distance as un vrai Paradis. Luckily, the sub-zero summer climate of Northern Canada will make the urban heat of Paris feel like the warm evening breeze of Saint-Tropez. And, as much as I loath Air-Canada at this moment, I did appreciate the delay punctuated by intercom announcements in both French and English, which served as good transitional language exercises. Alors...not off to the best start, but many good days to come. Cheers from the land of the Newfies! (A term Wikipedia deems as pejorative).

3 comments:

Mary Adair said...

WHOOP WHOOP! Newfies!

That's horrible, though!! What a start...but you're right, your arrival will be all the better when you finally get to Paris! I hope your roommate has some gossip girl (dubbed...I cannot imagine anything better than a french chuck bass) and champagne all set up for you when you get there.

Hope the rest of your travel is safe and less complicated than this. I miss you already!

Anonymous said...

Airplane engine trouble isn't what a mother wants to hear. I'm so glad that you're safe and hopefully rested after your impromptu layover at the plush, polyester hotel. Your blog is wonderful and I can't wait to hear more. Bonne chance. Miss and love you. XOXOXOX Maman

Ali said...

i love that the term "newfies" is pejorative... how many mean names can there be for one nation? i need to investigate this... a little "shadenfreude," as the deutsch would say.

tchussi... it's a jungle out there.