Getting to Corsica

It's not so easy from Andorra.

Chris and I took the bus from Canillo to Toulouse where we spent the night at the NH hotel. There was quite a lot of fog and a long line at the border with France and some of the hairpin turns through the Pyrenees were a bit scary.

I had a flight to Corsica the next afternoon while Chris went back to Dubai in the morning as a part of his final (?) contract before retiring. Because the flight schedules are so difficult, I flew in a day before the rest of the posse and enjoyed a day off.

Our room was nothing too special, but nice enough and we had a last dinner together.

Staying the night before meant I had all day to wait for my 4:15 flight. I wasted time by having an airport croissant and cafe au lait. Surprisingly, I put this croissant at about 5 out of 10. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared.

I was a bit concerned when check-in showed as open on the board, but there was no one there. They finally opened at 2pm.

I finally got through security (it was a domestic flight, so no passport control) and was able to experience my first priority pass club which is a benefit of my stupidly expensive American Express card. It was underwhelming, but buni got a nice big chair.

As Chris reminded me, Toulouse is a big manufacturing hub for Airbus and there were many Belugas parked nearby.

We werent able to board until the luggage was loaded, so hung about outside the plane. They stopped loading luggage and I saw the luggage truck leave with my bag still on it....

I had a very bizarre experience on the flight. I sat next to a goth who perhaps should have been introduced to some soap and water. She decided I was in her seat and I had to tell her several times I had 10A. Then about half way through the flight she asked me how to undo her seatbelt. I realized she probably hadn't flown before, but it was still a bit odd.

The flight was without other incident and my luggage, amazingly, did make it. I guess they loaded it in the front because it was 4th off.

First impressions flying in - lots of mountains. I saw the hiking trails

The airport is very small

Then I tried to get an Uber to the hotel. I did my research and realized that the buses I would need to get to the hotel stopped at 6pm. I contacted Uber, but no joy. I did happen to see the L8 bus come and I knew that I could get to the center of town on that bus. I hopped on and was told I would have to pay for my ticket at the train station upon arrival as the local kiosks didn't work. It was a direct shot and got off. I didn't see any kiosks or any way to pay. I asked another passenger and he told me the payment system wasn't working, so I got a free 10 Euro ride into the center.

The city center reminds me of a "down market" Nice.

I tried Uber again and no joy. There happened to be a taxi there and I finally got to the hotel.

It's in a lovely and very romantic setting, right on the beach.

I saw one of the most pathetic cats I've seen in a long time. Tried not to look to closely, but it was a very nice kitty

Dinner was al fresco and there were tons of flying ants after the sun went down. I hope they don't bite. I ate an unexciting chicken burger because that's what I have a taste for. It was actually really tasty. I asked for ketchup and was told NO in no uncertain terms. Just me and the dead bee that no one has taken off the table:(.

I had to pay at the bar and asked the lady if service was included in my bad french and she didn't understand. Then I asked about a tip and she decided I said toupee. I did not leave a tip. Hopefully, this isn't a harbinger of things to come....