Christmas in Paris

Lufthansa 447
DEN-FRA
747-400
December 11, 2012
3:05P-8:40A +1 (sked)
2:56P-8:16A +1 (actual)
Departed 7/8
Seats 83C and 83H

Always seems a little strange when Business is the first jetway and First is the second one, as is the hike up the narrow stairs with carry-ons. But once on the upper deck, all is well. Our two wonderful FAs welcomed us on board and showed us to our seats. As we were the first pax to board (no doubt the others were still on the train from the United Club ), was able to snap some cabin pics.

The first of four glasses of Pommery Cuvée Louise at the gate.
OK, it's not Krug but quite nice.

The amenity kit, a little weak. Thanks for the eye/face cream but how about some hand lotion? Especially since there wasn't any in the lav.

Great views from high above the tarmac as we get ready to push.

Skychefs no doubt delivering fine cuisine to one of the dregs of the Alliance.

After take-off, our FAs sprung into action prepping the cabin for drinks and dinner service.

Meanwhile, time to see if the internet actually works. I popped for the 19.95 euros for 24 hours. Speed was excellent throughout, generally faster than gogo on AA or DL. Although at that price, probably not a lot of takers. UA of course has never heard of WiFi, but heck they have the best route network and 787s, right Jeff?

Amuse bouche and an excellent G&T today.

Lufthansa 1034
FRA-CDG
737-300
December 12, 2012
11:50A-1:05P (sked)
12:05P-1:20P (actual)
Seats 5EF

While AA and UA don't have a international First product worth flying, at least they offer a domestic front cabin product better than a coach seat with the middle blocked that is standard in Euro-fraud "Business Class". Narrow seat, thin seat, crap legroom. Quel joke, unless you are in the bulkhead. Even there, it's still a narrow, ridiculously thin seat. Don't let anyone tell you they'd prefer European SH J to any US domestic front cabin flight. They are either delusional or just looking to pick a fight.

Unfortunately, a couple of HONs or SENs snapped up the bulkhead so we were relegated to row 5. Ugh.

Pleasant and efficient FAs provided excellent service for what amounts to a coach flight.

I wasn't hungry but I took one for the team and the photo. Yuck. Give me an AA domestic F meal any day.

50 minutes after take-off we touched down at CDG and were at the T1 gate surprisingly in less than 3 minutes. I guess this terminal was cool and futuristic 30 some years ago, now it's just strange.

After a stop at the loo, we navigated our way out to the taxi stand and 30 minutes and 45 euros later we were at our hotel.

Night 1

After a short afternoon nap, we headed out for the evening.

First for drinks at a neighborhood bar and then another block from the hotel to one of old haunts from when we lived in Paris for a month, a couple of years ago. Relais de l'Entrecote serves steak and frites, all you can eat in precision assembly line fashion. Turnover is the key here. The doors open at 7P, with a line outside the door, and by 7:30P the place is packed, and like many Paris restaurants, with little room between tables.

Waitresses ask two basic questions, "how do like your steak?" and "what do you want to drink?" They write your meat preference (3 options only: rare, medium or well done) on the table cloth, so the refills are easy to track.

Round 1...

Round 2...

Dinner. OMG delicious and done in 45 minutes! Now we're off down the street to The Crazy Horse for some T&A. Swear to god, it was Mrs. SFO's idea. Although the girls were all beautiful, young and pretty much undressed, the best part of the show was the two male jugglers. That alone was worth the price of admission. Am I getting old?? Sorry, no show pics as I was too chicken to go against the bouncers.

Someone has a sense of humor...

Couple of pics from our short walk back to the hotel.

After breakfast and a lazy morning, we bundled up and headed out into chilly +2C temps to see Christmas in Paris...

The Plaza-Athenée.

And the rest of Avenue Montagne.

Up to the Champ-Elysées

And over to the Petit Palais.

And it's wonderful architecture.

Across the street, the Grand Palais is now the Grand Palais de Glace with indoor Patinoire or skating rink just opened for the holidays.

Back up to the Champs-Elysées where security was pretty evident.

Interesting Christmas market stands, shops and activities line both side of the Champs-Elysées.

On the Tuileries side of Place de la Concorde is the Roue de Paris, a 200' high portable ferris wheel. It first appeared here in 2000 then moved around and recently returned. Not anywhere near as high or as luxurious as the Singapore Flyer, but it gets you above the city for some great views. Three spins for 10 euros.

For lunch, we stopped at another old hang-out, classic Mini Maxim's on rue de la Paix and then headed up to rue du Faubourg St-Honoré.

...and the gorgeous Christmas lights at Place Vendome, where The Ritz appears closed and undergoing a major and much needed renovation.

Lufthansa 1041
CDG-FRA
737-300
December 15, 2012
5:55P-7:05P
Seats 1AC

Business class tonight consisted of only 3 rows and 10 seats. There was only one other passenger, another AA EXP (or at least his carry on had an EXP tag), who was either brain dead and/or just unfriendly as he just grunted when I mentioned that the cabin was full of EXPs tonight.

There must have been a no show as there were two meals catered for this flight. FA apologized when he announced only one meal, but was relieved when we both declined. Hey, we're going to Frankfurt and we're going to hit the town. 

On time arrival but a tarmac arrival position. Perhaps our last minute flight change didn't make it to operations, or maybe overnight connections don't count, but there was no waiting limo and we were relegated to the indignity of taking the bus with the unwashed masses. 

Le Meridien Parkhotel
Frankfurt

After a quick 15 minute 25 euro taxi ride, we were at the Four Seasons Frankfurt.  Yeah right, would you believe Le Meridien Parkhotel? The airport Sheraton was booked so I opted for this one at 4,000 SPG points and $60. A butt ugly, 3 star hotel near the train station. Mrs. SFO initially decided she didn't want to go out for dinner so we tried the Café dining room. 15 minutes without seeing a waiter and we decided that this wasn't going to work.

Friendly front desk clerk suggested a German restaurant near the Christmas market, a "short" walk away. Or so it seemed on the map. After near 15 minutes of walking thru quite possibly the ugliest city in Europe, we couldn't find the Christmas market, and opted to eat at Oscar's, a pleasant looking place near the Hotel Frankfurter Hof. Friendly waitstaff served plenty of cold Bitburger Pilsner on tap and a delicious Weiner Schnitzel.

Not fine cuisine, but good comfort food, although Mrs. SFO lost her appetite towards the end when we both saw the cutest little mouse scurrying across the floor a couple of tables away.