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Monday 7th September 2009

We got up around 6am, went for breakfast, which to be honest, neither of us enjoyed – think we were too tired and just keen to get on our way.  Taxi arrived and off we went.  When we arrived at the airport it was such an unreal feeling.  We were finally here – on our way across the big pond – it had only been thoughts, dreams up to this point.  All those months of preparation, stress emotional turmoil – we were finally here. 

Not too sure if you know this but, when you fly internationally now, you have to use a little touch screen and get your boarding pass – believe me – its supposed to be “quick easy and simple to use”.  We are not stupid, but my god did we feel it now.  They should call them “destructions” and not instructions.  Finally, after a very nice attendant showed us (well she completed the full task if I'm being honest), we had our boarding passes and itinerary of our flights – we now had to check our bags in – oh god I thought – lets hope it quick, simple and easy.  It was.  Unfortunately, on the boarding passes from Paris to Boston we would not be sitting together – not happy bunnies, but hay we couldn't have it all our own way.

We went into the departure lounge and did all the usual things that people do there – look like we busy but really haven't got a clue what we doing.  Finally at 9.30am it was time to board. 

BBC Radio Tees rang on my mobile and asked if they could do a live interview with Michael before he boarded.  He was sweating, shaking – god knows what he would be like if he had to go onto the TV – he did it though and now we were board, seated and ready for off.  We flew with Air France.  All the attendants (skivvies in the sky as Michael called them) were helpful, despite their broken english.  The whole flight was 2 hours long.  We totally forgot that we gain an hour so technically we were only in the air for an hour.  We drank coffee and eat croissants – very tasty. 

Charles-De-Gaul Airport is a brand new building – the ceiling are rounded and when you look up its that high it makes you dizzy.  We were only sat in departures for little less than an hour.  I rang Dad just to let him know that we were OK and would call when we arrived in Boston. 

People watching is amazing, especially when you have your sunglasses on – honestly, the french are pretty miserable people all in all.  As you looked around, there were so many people, all going to different destinations already from different lands.

The que for the boarding gate was huge – surely all these people weren't getting on our plane – they wouldn't be enough room – oh my god they were.  I then began to panic – what if the plane crashed where would we all sit in the life boat – would  we all get out in time – silly thoughts I know, but when you see all those people all boarding the same plane it does make you wonder what would happen in a crash situation.

We boarded and found our seats.  Michael sat in front next to an old couple who didn't really speak good english, he wasn't bothered though.  He is not like me who would need to speak to someone for the full 7 hours.  I on the other hand sat next to a lady who was called Vicki and her daughter Rhianna.  Rhinna was 3 years old and the cutest thing ever, big blue eyes, her hair was full of static.  This little girl amazed me, she sat for the full 7 hour flight and was so well behaved.  Finally we reached Boston, Massachusetts – hurray,yippee – the time 4.00pm.

If you have ever gone through international customs you will totally understand where I am coming from here.  It's the most intimidating thing been told to stand behind a big yellow lane until you are called over the Customs Officer.  They look at your passport then you then back again.  They know its you on the photo, I think they just like to watch you wriggle about looking all uncomfortable.  In the states they take your fingers prints electronically and then scan your eyes, eventually after you loose around 2 lbs in sweat, they eventually pass you through.  Watching Michael go through this process was funny.  He hates these time – he thinks that they arent going to let him into the country or something – his t-shirt was soaking.  After all the pressure of customs and collecting our cases, we went to catch a cab.  At 4.40pm we arrive at the Holiday Inn, Somerville, Boston MA – wow the place was lush.

Our room was on the 9^th floor – oh my god, the bed – they said it was king size, but honestly, a family of 5 could of lived in there.  When Michael laid down and outstretched his arms, he couldn't reach either side of the bed – WOW MAN.  We freshened up and went to the bar in the hotel, had a few drink and ate some dinner.  Everyone sits at the bar, its a strange feeling and trying to eat at it – well, I wouldn't recommend it – gives you tummy ache after.  We retire to bed at 8.00pm – earliest either of us has been in bed since we were kids.  Much to my dismay and Michael's annoyance, my alarm went off at 7am (GMT), however, over there it was 2am – I had forgotten to alter my phone and switch my alarm off so I laid awake most of the night – totally wide awake – oopppps!