June 5 & 6, 2024 - Beginning our travel to Basque Country

 Reflecting on a night's sleep after traveling with Premilla from Los Angeles  to Bayonne, France, all in all it went smoothly, we are healthy and safe and ready to meet our fellow travelers later today, Friday,  June 7.

  Wednesday,  June 5, at 6am, Karin brought me to Union Station in downtown LA. Thank goodness she could return home before rush hour traffic and get a bit more sleep before putting in a full day's work. The Flyaway bus brought me to LAX where I checked my carry-on on a  computer in newly refurbished terminal. A very warm welcome from the gentleman at the counter assured me 100% that my suitcase would make the transfer to the plane to Paris followed by the plane to Biarritz, France. Premilla had told me that she would carry her suitcase to all three flights, an then she changed her mind and decided to check her bag, hoping she would meet it again in Biarritz. She arrived via the Flyaway bus from Van Nuys. I am grateful that Karin didn't bring me to the airport, for construction and travel diversions are the norm for that part of the metropolis, probably until the 2028 summer Olympic games.  We had time to eat and relax before our first flight.  Homeboy Industries,a wonderful charity for former gang members,  prepared our breakfast food, which was superior to the two meals on the long flight to Paris,

  In Atlanta we had just enough time to stretch our legs walking to make it yo the gate for the overnight flight to Paris, Charles De Gaulle airport. Air France staffwere friendly and approachable, food - not so much, and sleep - minimal. At the airport we stopped for refreshments and were welcomed to a table by a couple who saw my Rick Steves tag on my backpack.  We introduced ourselves and learned they were on the RSE (Rick Steves Europe) Basque tour also. Bonnie a retired hospital nurse and Leo, a retired physics professor from Toronto, told us about their love of Spain.

  The flight to Biarritz,  France, on the Bay of Biscay,  was wonderful. Almost the entire one plus hour's flight I saw mainly green. The landscape looked healthy. The Pyrenees mountains covered a large area. Although they are not covered with snow they cover a large area of Southern France and separate the country from Spain. The airport is small yet modern and clean.  When the baggage carousel brought Premilla's suitcase I breathed a sigh of relief. I breathed a sigh of relief. When the carousel stopped and I was still awaiting the arrival of my suitcase a new adventure began. A very kind and helpful gentleman at baggage claim researched the bag's location,  told me that it was at the airport in Paris, and that there was an 80% chance that it would be on the evening flight. We shared information, he gave me instructions about submitting a claim form on line, and we parted.

  The bus ride to Bayonne was a good introduction to the pleasant weather,  kind people, and local environment. It was also a good transition from the airport disappointment to the purpose of our visit. We knew, from written instructions from RSE the cost of the bus ride, where to get off the bus and how to reach the hotel. Well, we did what Rick wants us to do - get lost.  After asking several people for directions a kind gentleman walked us from the park where he was sitting to our hotel.

  The front desk staff were welcoming and helpful and wrote informatio about the missing and possible evening arrival. Our room has a step ip from the hallway to the sleeping area. There are large windows with Los of ambient light and fresh air and a large sofa bed where  we can lay our things. The rest of the afternoon I began and never succeeded in completing a mission g baggage claim form. Air France didn’t recognize my locator information. I followed several ideas and suggestions from Premilla without success. We decided to have an early supper and walk by the river and be back at the hotel when the suitcase would  hopefully arrive at the Biarritz Airport. With superb suggestions and directions about a restaurant with French food as well as with front desk assistance making a claim form we walked a bit and sat outside at the Theater Cafe, enjoyed some wine and ate a really good meal. I had roast duck with fries and  a fabulous salad if greens, and Premilla had a special, local steak with fries and more delicious greens. We returned to the hotel walking the pedestrian street, noting several shoe stores. 

  The call cam around 930, stating the suitcase was at the airport, and I could pick it up if I arrived before 10pm. The front desk called a taxi. Meanwhile p, as Premilla was putting on her shoes she felt a cure pain in her entire lower right leg; it was cramping. I felt  VERY conflicted, Inwanted to remain with her to help massage her left, and she told me to leave. After a taxi ride to and from the airport in Biarritz in Tesla I returned to Premilla with my suitcase. She was sitting on a chair and stated the acute pain was gone and I had a very kind taxi driver and airport baggage person. We were both relived, she took a warm soaking bath to help diminish the remaining leg discomfort, abd we turned out our lights around 11pm, grateful for the experiences of the day.