Departure lounge

The train from Troyes arrived on time in Paris Gare de l’est, it was then just a short 10 minute walk to Gare de Nord. The streets were not crowded, just enough people going about their business to feel normal. I enjoyed the walk much more than I had previously, strolling along the wide Parisian pavements in the Autumn sunshine, it felt good.

the street cafés at the front of Gare de Nord were once again open for business and full of happy customers having ‘boissons’ (drinks). I was tempted to sit and enjoy a coffee in the sun, and if Brian was with me I think we would have done, but I thought I’d prefer to get through border control and enjoy a coffee when I’m on the other side waiting for the train.

It took about twenty minutes to process through the border, it seemed odd now though having my passport stamped as I left France. As I entered the departure lounge I could see the cafés were once again open, as was the duty free shop. That’s good I thought, I will take a look as soon as I’ve been to the toilets to freshen up. I wanted to buy some new face cream. As I walked back to the duty free shop I could see the shutter was now down and it was closed. Silly me it’s 12 o’clock, lunch time, why would it stay open when it knows a train full of passengers is about to depart from here over the next hour. Oh well, just confirms I still haven’t learnt.

Here I am now enjoying a café creme sitting quietly waiting for my train.