This is when some of the problems started. The traffic around and towards La Defence was terrible. Almost at a standstill. The bus driver was very annoyed, so this mustn't be normal circumstances.
Anyway, we get out of Paris ok, and the drive to Beauvais - Tille airport was very pleasant. We arrive just a few minutes late, but are the first out of the bus to check in.
That is when we realized that there was something wrong. The arrivals / departure board showed that our plane was going to be four hours late ! Bugger !
At the check in, we find out that there is a strike (all air traffic controllers in France are gunning for better pay / better conditions), and that our plane might not leave at all ! Double bugger !!
So we get a coffee, a tea and a croissant and settle down for the wait. An hour into this time, Therese and I decide to go for a walk along the country side, and especially into the local village, called Tille (after which the airport is named after). The village is very Heiloo (a small village in Holland) like, nice, neat houses, small roads. During the walk, we find that there was hardly anyone in the village, almost felt like a movie set(like Jim Carey's The Truman Show). The butcher was closed. The baker was closed. The pharmacist was closed. The hairdresser was closed. But the cafe was open. We walk in, and see that it is full !! We are amazed, as there was no one on the streets (maybe all the actors were taking a break).
We asked the waiter to wait a minute (to take our order) and 45 minutes later we still hadn't seen him. Although we were enjoying the sun (and the rain spits), we also wanted to eat some lunch. I walked in, got eye contact, and order some lunch (plate of the day, steak and chips), not a lot of options.
Food came quickly, it was ok, and the two main desert options (mousse and creme brûlée had run out). We opted for a glade (citron) that turned out to be a Cornetto, and something that looked / tasted like custard and meringue.
We paid, thanked the waiter, said goodbye to some of the other locals ( a bonjour and a nod) and head back to the airport.
We get back around 3pm, and it looks like the plane WILL leave, and they were starting the boarding process. Going through security, we had to give up our coke, only to buy more drinks whilst waiting in the transit area. Around 4pm, we were asked to go through customs, and enter the final passenger waiting area before we board the plane.
Now, if you know anything about Ryan Air, it is the cheapest, meanest airline out there. And you know that most people don't have seats allocated, so, we moved to the front of the queue (relatively speaking) and were positioned well for the final assault.
About 40 minutes later, we're still in the queue and the previous plane (a WizzAir to Bucharest) finally takes off. And about that time, our Ryan Air flight lands. Everybody gets excited and the queue starts to tighten (you know, when everybody moves up the line but nobody goes anywhere). And about that time, two families with strollers push their way to the front. Nobody really challenges them, as have very small kids etc, but, Ryan Air is supposed to be so cheap, that if you want priority boarding, you have to pay an extra € 15 per person for the privilege . Our plane taxis, parks, and the folks that have flown from Marrakech deplane.
The waiting game then begins. The plane needs to be cleaned. The plane needs to be refueled. 10, 15 minutes go by, nothing. And then an announcement. Boarding will commence in 90 mins time ! All of our efforts to get close to the front of the queue, all in vain !! Triple bugger !
Now we are back in the transit lounge, sitting in a cafe, not sure we will actually fly out. I called the hotel in Marrakech and let them known that we were coming late. They said that they would be at the airport to pick us up.
Let's hope for something to go right today, for once !
It is 6.38pm and we are in the plane. It is very full, and extremely chaotic. Most folks did not have a reserved seat. Seating was one issue, the other was baggage / storage . What a nightmare ! Therese and I were fortunate. We got in early and got seats and our luggage stored.
Here's a tip : don't ever be one of the last in the plane in a Ryan Air flight. You may get a seat . . . Where in the plane, who knows, and your luggage may be stored somewhere . . . But who knows where.
Anyway, 6.45pm, and we're about to take off !
Marrakech - here we come.
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