Paris to Istanbul

Can I survive on my own? This is the question no one knows the answer to, least of all me. I waited at Les Cars Air France Bus Stop at Charles de Gaulle Airport for more than an hour before a bus pulls in. They are supposed to be about every 30 minutes! I had seen at least a dozen during this time, but not one stopped for us. It wouldn’t have been too bad, except the bus stop was out in the open with not a single seat. The crowd grew larger with every passing minute and I’m sure not everyone managed to get on that bus.  I paid the driver my 21 euro, chucked my backpack in the luggage area, and endeavoured to find a seat. I sat near the window in the second seat back, but was so uncomfortable that when the aisle seat in front of me became vacant, I moved there. At least my knees wouldn’t be hitting the seat in front. The girl next to me had a broken leg, so I started chatting to her. She is German, but lives and works in southern Austria, and was on her way to her annual 3 week holiday in Reunion, a tiny island between Madagascar and Mauritius. It’s a 12-hour direct flight from Orly, but all she does when she gets there is relax on the beach and take photos. She is a professional photographer/writer who works on web pages. The time passes quickly when you’re talking. She and the rest of the people got off at Orly-Ouest, leaving me and one other couple on the bus for Orly-Sud. I was worried they’d left my suitcase behind on the footpath. They had taken it out but must have put it back in while I wasn’t looking. Inside the terminal was a huge departures board, but my flight wasn’t showing yet, so I sat down to watch for it. I thought it must come up soon as there were flights right up to 6.15pm and mine was 6.30pm.

After half an hour or maybe an hour, I gave up and went to Starbucks for the worst Club Anglais sandwich ever, but a delicious Christmas coffee.  Back to the board, and it still wasn’t showing, but came up very soon after so I headed to rows 45-48 to check in.  I was the first there. They hadn’t even put up the ropes yet. I waited at 45, but when the guy came to put up the ropes, he said that was for priority customers so I changed to 48. Some people lined up behind me, but most lined up behind the family who chose 47. The desks numbered 31 to 57 were all empty. Everyone was weighing their own luggage and children were hopping behind the desks pretending to be airline employees! I waited there for over two hours till the Pegasus staff appeared. The line I had chosen was designated Web Check-in but by this stage, I didn’t care. I had been sitting on my suitcase on my trolley so when I tried to push it forward, it wouldn’t move. I tried to dislodge the wheel without success, but took my suitcase off in order to get to the desk. In the meantime, the couple behind me jumped in front of me, but because I was over the yellow line, I was the one who got into trouble and was told to GET BEHIND THE LINE! I was affronted but dutifully agreed. No point in arguing!

I checked in my suitcase- not as heavy as I thought- and got my boarding pass and headed to gate 23, via customs and security. The customs lady spoke no English, so I had to explain I was not coming back here from Istanbul, but I had several more flights round Europe before I flew home to Australia. Security made me take off my boots, but there were seats so it wasn’t a problem. Finally, I was off to gate 23. Yes it was the furthest gate possible! I kept seeing signs with the gate marked and the approximate walking time! I was first here, which was a good thing because I nabbed one of the four lounge chairs available. The rest were uncomfortable airport chairs. Another hour and a half wait before boarding.  Yawn!

Finally, I get to board the plane. I have a seat in the first row which looks like exit row seats, but when I go to sit down, I can’t fit! I’m serious- they were like child’s seats! I know I’ve put on a couple of kilos in the last 5 weeks, but it wasn’t just fat that wouldn’t fit- it was my hip bones too! I mentioned to the hostess that I couldn’t fit and she said she’d get an extension seat belt for me, and I shook my head saying no, no, it’s this part that doesn’t fit gesticulating width with my hands. So not only am I the only blonde-haired English speaking person on board, I am also the FATTEST! I was ushered to two adjoining seats at the back of the plane. The shame! For punishment, my closest traveller was a teenage boy, whose body odour was indescribable. Who gets on a plane without a shower? I must admit by the end of the trip, I probably smelled like that as well.

Smooth take-off, very smooth flight, meals being delivered to passengers who had pre-booked them, I couldn’t resist. I asked for a meal which cost 11 euro. It was not bad for a plane meal, but no beverage of any description was provided with the meal, not water, juice, tea, nothing. The drinks cart was right down the front so I just had to wait. I asked for a water- 1 euro 50- I only had 1 euro 25 left, so tried all three of my cards! None worked. You’d think she would have taken my money and handed me a water but no, she enjoyed seeing me suffer since I had inconvenienced her with the seat. I asked for a plastic cup so I could get water from the tap in the toilet, and she just shrugged her shoulders. The cart went past, and I had to wait until it reached the back so I could get to the toilet. I filled it up and drank 3 glasses: I have never been so thirsty in all my life. I filled up my water bottle when I arrived at Sabiha Gocken Airport, and drank the entire bottle on the drive in. As soon as I reached my room, I drank another bottle of cold water from the fridge! At last, my thirst was quenched!

There was a man waiting for me at the airport (he had a sign with my name on it). He greeted me then said “Wait here!” so I sat sideways on a chair in front of a takeaway place, while he collected two more passengers. He then led us all outside and left them and walked me to a minivan on my own, which was driven by another man who spoke two words neither of which I could understand.  I climbed in the back and attempted to put my seatbelt on, but I couldn’t manage it so the driver motioned to me to sit behind him. I did as I was told, and sat for the hour’s drive into Istanbul with my knees scraping on a metal edge! Tired, hot and cranky, I couldn’t wait for to get to my room and jump in the shower.

All of the stresses of the day evaporated when I was taken to my loft room- the bed looked very inviting, and I opened the skylight blind so I could look at the stars.  After a harrowing day, I showered and fell instantly asleep.