Mumbai, India. Sunday, 1st May, 2022.
A proper Sunday in the month of May, after three years! The Covid pandemic had put spokes in our travelling wheel to Europe in summer - the hat trick of visits in 2017, 2018 and 2019 was rudely truncated by the deadly Corona virus and the summers of 2020 and 2021 were forcibly spent at home. Today was thus different; a very welcome Sunday of May! We were to embark on our sixth trip to Europe together!
It was not without its share of uncertainty, though, as Covid restrictions were 'on' in certain countries and not in others; even within the Schengen zone. My attempts at web check-in had failed, as the 'RT-PCR' certificates could not be uploaded. I tried to select seats on Lufthansa's website, managing to get as far as the last step which was the payment part, but abandoned it as I did not wish to pay 150 Euros only to 'select' seats! Lufthansa had made the use of N95 masks compulsory on all its flights, which was an added and totally unnecessary burden.
It was with mixed feelings therefore, that Urmila and I set out this morning at 07:33, from our hometown Nashik, approx. 180 kms. from Mumbai. Our usual taxi driven by our regular and trusted driver, Bhagwan. A combination of 1st May and Sunday ensured that we reached my cousin's place at Kalina, Mumbai; in less than three hours! My brother-in-law who opened the door, was visibly surprised to see us; as the family wasn't expecting us before noon!
Spent a lovely time with the ever-hospitable Nabars over beer, chicken curry, general talk and episodes of the marathi TV serial "Nave Lakshya". As expected, Mumbai was hot and humid and it wasn't exactly in comfort that I left for the airport with Urmila by Ola taxi, my vest bathed in sweat! We set out at 20:15 and were at terminal T2 of Mumbai International airport in a little over fifteen minutes.
The entry into the airport was smooth - thankfully no compulsion on wearing masks! Found the Lufthansa counter and after a brief wait in the queue, were presenting our papers. We had arrived four hours before departure, to allow for delays in case our 'Covid documents' were not in order. Thankfully, all our documents were accepted and the boarding passes issued, even for the Munich-Paris sector. What a relief! However, we were asked to put on our N95 masks there and then. We did not mind, as the relief at having received our boarding passes without fuss, was immense. In fact, there was a bonus - our seats were the very same that I had 'booked' on the net, but without having paid the additional charges!
An amusing incident at immigration- as I stepped up to the counter and presented my passport, the officer behind scrutinised it and suddenly looking up, asked me, "Do you know who you look like?" I was taken aback, as this is the last question one expects at immigration! One anticipates questions like "Where are you travelling? Why are you travelling? Which is your destination? etc. ," but not this! I answered, "No!" He said, "Did no one ever tell you who you look like?" Surprised, I answered, "No!" He then said, " You look like Danny Denzongpa! (Bollywood actor of yester years, playing the roles of a villain). I was puzzled for a moment when I saw the photo on your passport!" I shot back, "Sir, you have made me a villain!" He was horrified and said, "No, no, I did not mean that!" I laughed and said, "I know; I was just joking!" We both had a laugh about it and I left the counter.
Whiled away our time as usual, wandering into duty-free, pre-booking Chivas Regal, eating chicken nuggets over cappuccino at Mac D, as our favourite Costa Coffee seemed to have shut shop. Settled ourselves at gate number 75, to await the boarding of Lufthansa flight LH-767 to Munich - a repeat of our first trip to Europe together, in May, 2014!
Paris, France. Monday, 2nd May 2022.
Boarding commenced at 00:20 and we were soon occupying our 'pre-booked' seats, 25 A and 25B. The departure of 00:50 was delayed as Security boarded the aircraft to offload four passengers whose papers were apparently not in order. The 'offenders' were made to leave the aircraft and their baggage was off-loaded. How were they cleared by immigration, in the first place? The airbus finally took off around 01:45, a delay of almost an hour! Thankfully, I had exercised the caution of booking the Munich-Paris flight with a transit time of four and a half hours at Munich. While booking the flights, I had almost been tempted to book an earlier connecting flight with a gap of just an hour and a half at Munich, so as to reach Paris earlier. Watched a few movies, being unable to sleep. The flight cuisine was poor - only vegetarian; no whisky or rum! Unacceptable of Lufthansa! The flight landed at Munich at 06:10, a delay of forty minutes. As we left the aircraft and the cold hit us, we were immediately transported back to May 2014 - the same airline, same port of disembarkation, similar weather conditions, similar climatic conditions; and a connecting flight to a European capital (in 2014 it was Vienna). It felt simply great being back in our second home! A three-year gap is too much to bear!
Completed our morning ablutions at the airport and settled down at gate G46, which was reached by a short train ride, within terminal 2. The LH-2228 to Paris was scheduled for 09:50 but we faced a delay again owing to certain problems related to someone's luggage! The aircraft took off off at 10:15 or so and after a short ride through fluffy cotton shining brightly in the sun, we landed at Paris - Charles De Galle airport at 11:25.
My first impression of the airport was not good. Signs were rather confusing, unlike at other big European airports. Had to ask a number of people the way to baggage claim (retrieved our bags without incident) and then on to the RER line railway station. Had to wait in a short queue to buy tickets for the train ride to Port de Clichy, our destination, with a change of trains at Chatelet des Halles. Purchased the tickets after a little jugglery at the ticket vending machine, went on to the platform struggling a bit with bags on the escalator. Boarded the right train and after a ride of thirty minutes, reached Chatelet. Then had to pass through a maze of narrow passageways; up and down escalators, to reach the right platform of metro line no. 14, which would take us to our destination. The train was roomy and we enjoyed a comfortable seven/eight minute ride. Exited the platform and came to the surface.
The familiarity of Europe - clean roads, traffic junctions, stately buildings, the works - was welcoming us again! Just had to cross the road to enter B&B Hotel Paris Batignolles, at 4, Boulevard Berthier. Allotted room no. 528 on the fifth floor. The room was neat.
Bathed; left the hotel for our pre-booked Seine river cruise. Went to the platform of Port de Clichy, RER - 'C' line. We were extremely surprised to see huge rats in the metro station ! Never expected this in Paris! Then again, the trains on this line looked pretty aged and ugly! Did not create a good impression at all! Anyway, after seven or eight stations, we alighted at Champ de Mars. Just before the station, the train, running on the surface, crossed the Seine, giving us a lovely view of the famous Eiffel Tower. Exited the station and found ourselves in a pretty area, one that we associate with Europe.
A broad, tree-lined avenue on the banks of the Seine! The tower Eiffel literally towering over everything else! Roadside restaurants and cafes! However, the place was quite crowded. We slowly made our way to Bateaux Parisiens, our river cruise operator. We were just in time for the 19:00 hour cruise! A huge boat, with indoor and outdoor seating. The next forty minutes were spent on the waters, taking in the sights of Paris - the Louvre, Notre Dame, etc. However, the river cruise was nothing new to us, so we did not feel much excitement. Add to that the fact that the air journeys with transit halt proved rather tiring. Urmila actually slept for a part of the cruise! Both of us were tired (age catching up?) and hungry, so preferred to eat in one of the attractive roadside restaurants. Found one named Castel Cafe, in one of the side streets near the Eiffel.
Ate chicken Pizza, accompanied by Jack Daniels on the rocks; and cappuccino. Good stuff! It was bright at 20:30! Back to our hotel by 21:30/21:45. The supermarket near our hotel had closed, so couldn't buy chocolate. Had to content ourselves with buying one from the vending machine inside the hotel. Also bought a bottle of still water. Collected additional tea and creamer sachets at the reception, obliged by the receptionist who happened to be a native of Tibet and was lured into giving us the stuff by Urmila's sweet talk! To bed by 22:45.
Overall, we were disappointed with the city! We had expected Paris to be glittering and glamorous; it was neither! It was just another European city! In fact, cities like Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam and Luxemburg City are far better! We felt Paris has been unnecessarily hyped. Perhaps, had Paris been the first European capital we visited, we would have loved it. This was our sixth trip to Europe so the city was not great! Maybe, thirty to forty years ago, when 'Europe' meant only London, Paris and Rome to most travellers, Paris appeared great. I can best describe Paris as a beautiful lady who has failed to age gracefully!
Missed mentioning two incidents of our plane journey, Mumbai-Paris. At Munich during the transit, we greeted the German authorities at Security and Immigration with "Guten Morgen!" and "Wie geht es Ihnen?" They were so impressed and pleased that there were smiles all around and they asked us, "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" When we answered, "Wir lernen Deutsch", the smiles became broader and were accompanied by "Sehr gut!" They did not ask us anything else!
The second thing is about the meal on the Munich-Paris flight. We ordered (additional charges) Chicken-Hummus sandwiches and peach cake (they had only one of this!). Both were excellent and worth the 15 Euros. Urmila and I were saying that it would be great if Lufthansa gave us Ritter Sport chocolate, like SWISS gives swiss chocolates on its flights. Would you believe it - just before landing at Paris, we were actually given a small chocolate bar, each! Not Ritter Sport, but a different brand, made by Mondelez Int. It was delicious, as good as the ones given on SWISS!