Out of Africa

The riad in Marrakesh was kind enough to arrange an early breakfast for us, as well as to get us van for the airport. Usually, when we show up at the airport two hours ahead of flight time, we sit around waiting. At this airport, it was barely enough time.

First, there was pre-security just to get into the airport lobby (a reaction to the Brussels attack, I assume). We stood in line with a whole lot of other folks for a very long time to get our boarding passes -- no online pre-check-in here. Security was also lengthy, even though it appeared to be done efficiently. There were a lot of people flying out all at once today. Then there was the line for the toilets! But we got everyone aboard and the flight was on time.

In Amsterdam we also had a bit of a wait getting off the plane. Busses were slow in getting out to us and taking us to arrival. We of course, had to go through passport control, which is never quick.

Our assignment was to not depart Schiphol until we made sure all students made their connections. This was something of a joke, because as soon as we wished them "safe travels," the lot of them were off like a shot, not to be seen by us again until back in Malta when spring break is over! Most of them were staying in Amsterdam for the first couple days anyway.

We killed time in the vast shopping mall at Schiphol before catching our fast train to Paris. The train was smooth and quiet, with much more leg room than on an airliner. There were only a few stops. One was in Brussels, only for a few minutes to allow some people off/onto the train.

The excitement came just minutes after we had left the station in Brussels. Armed police came through the car to check all passports and IDs. This was not a big deal, and no real tension, but obviously an added measure since the recent attacks.

We arrived at Paris Gare du Nord a little past 9 p.m. and found our hotel only a couple blocks away, just as it was supposed to be. It had been a long day of travel, so we slept well, despite the rather noisy nightlife of the neighborhood.