The adventure has begun!!!
We departed from a rainy C. Cottingham Terminal on time and, thankfully, arrived in Calgary without incident. With time to spare, we settled in at the airport and indulged in a rare lounge experience. Cotty made a valiant attempt to order everything on the menu but fell just short—broccoli cheddar soup will have to wait until next time.
We suspected the overnight (a.k.a. red-eye) flight to Paris would be rough, and we were right. Between the two of us, I think we managed a grand total of 2-3 hours of sleep.
Upon arrival in Paris, we somehow navigated our way out of the airport and onto the train to the city. From there, we enjoyed a lovely walk to our hotel, where we attempted to recover with a much-needed nap. Unfortunately, our efforts were thwarted by what I was convinced were cackling geese—only to realize it was a group of kids laughing in a nearby room. Sleep remained elusive, but at least we managed to rest.
We couldn’t help but laugh at a ski-themed display in the Calgary airport, complete with a surprisingly realistic-looking moving flame. It was an amusing touch—almost as if someone had set up a cozy alpine retreat right in the terminal.
Check out my sweet new plane accessories! This time, I came prepared—with a foot hammock for ultimate in-flight lounging and a genius eye mask that practically locks my head in place. Comfort level: expert
Caught an incredible view of the Tour Eiffel from the plane—seeing it from above made Paris feel even more magical!
Montmartre at sunset—a dreamy blend of golden light, winding cobblestone streets, and the city’s rooftops glowing in the evening haze. Pure Parisian magic
We were up bright and early, making our way to Gare du Nord with plenty of time to spare. A hot drink in hand, we soaked in the bustling energy of the station, got our bearings, and found our train—right on schedule for departure!
After a smooth and easy train ride, we seamlessly found our bus, which—thankfully—departed right on time. From there, we embarked on a long but delightful walk to the car broker’s office, made even better when we spotted the Gnu in a lot along the way—a reassuring sight that lifted our spirits.
We arrived at the brokerage around 11:30 AM, only to find the seats uncomfortable and the atmosphere less than inviting. Still, we persevered, determined to get our beloved car back in our sights. Hours passed without proper food, drinks, or even basic facilities, making for a grueling stretch. But at 5:30 PM, victory was ours—we had the Gnu back! Exhausted yet elated, we were beyond thrilled to be reunited with our trusty companion.
