I’m finally here in Sarrebourg. I wanted to re-create the trip Grandma and I did here in 1976 but it’s not quite so easy. For example, we flew TWA (which no longer exists) and connected in New York for the overnight flight to Paris. Then we got a taxi straight to La Gare de l’Est, then a train to Sarrebourg. I remember arriving here late that afternoon. This time I flew Air France nonstop overnight to Paris, then rode the RER/Metro to La Gare de l’Est, then the train. It was cheaper then a taxi. So I’m not exactly adhering 100% to re-creating 1976. So far anyway. Probably should have spent a night in Paris before coming here.

Here’s my Air France B777-300 parked at gate A5 at SFO. Not the greatest shot with the jetways blocking my view but oh well.

I had seat 25L which was over the right wing. Sitting over the wing provides a really smooth ride but you get a cruddy view. I settled in as a glass of sparkling wine appeared. At first the seat next to me was taken but then that person went and found an empty seat somewhere else, to be nearer to her group I suppose, and the seat remained empty. So I had both seats to myself.

They handed out goodie bags with socks, a toothbrush, a smelly-good cloth, an eye mask, etc

Dinner came quickly, probably too quickly since our departure was 3:00 pm (and we pushed back 10 minutes early). We had a choice between gratin à la citrouille and something else with beef. I chose the gratin.

The Air France crew was extremely nice and always attentive. The flight attendant for our cabin looked exactly like Angelica. I didn’t dare take her picture. It would have been weird.

Shortly after dinner the lights went out but it was still too early to sleep. I watched a Napoleon movie, then some French news, then listened some music. In 1976 we had one movie on the overnight flight which required those cheapy headphones you plug into the arm rest, but now you get a ton of content on your private screen. The 777 also has exterior cameras which made up for my blocked view out the window so I was able to watch our ground track along with the interactive map options.

I didn’t really sleep at all, and we arrived at CDG airport about 30 minutes early. We parked at Terminal 2E. I got my backpack from baggage claim and cruised through immigration. I didn’t get any pictures on the RER or Metro because they were both packed and I didn’t want to look touristy by taking pictures on a packed subway.

My TGV wasn’t scheduled to depart until 4:16 pm so I had tons of time to kill. I did a little exploring around the area.

My train to Metz was delayed by 45 minutes. This caused a two hour delay in Metz. So I entertained myself while waiting in Metz.

I finally arrived in Sarrebourg around 9:18 pm.

After leaving the station I found my AirBnB keys in a lockbox in front of some random business near the station, then walked over to my AirBnB apartment and let myself in. The AirBnB host was clear in providing all this info so it went well. Today I will get a haircut and then explore this town on foot.