The bus picked us up at 3 a.m.

Check-in again. Security. The security guard saw that I had liquids (bottles from Duty Free) and said that he couldn't let Polina, another guy, and me through. More problems...we three went to the agents, a woman manager went to find out what the rules were regarding that. We all said together:

• But this was bought in your Duty Free!!

• Those are the rules.

I got angry:

• I spent over a hundred dollars on all this, do you think I'm going to leave it here because your flight didn't depart and we had to go to a hotel???

In the end, the manager went and found us boxes with foam and tape so we could pack everything and check it in. That took about 40 minutes. When I was checking in my box, the agent said to me:

• And where is your passport sticker for your other baggage??

I said:

• I don't know, they didn't give me anything.

That's when the problems started just for me. There were problems with my luggage; they couldn't find it. They said they'd find out before boarding. We all went through security together. The flight was delayed again by 20 minutes. We were bracing for the worst. But thank God, they announced boarding. I went up to the agents and asked if they had found my luggage. One told me that nothing was known. And at that point I felt my vision darken with anger. I launched into such a tirade in English that even I was amazed! He began to calm me down. And I just turned and walked away. Later, on board the plane, one of the agents found me and informed me that my luggage had been found and loaded. Thank God.

We're on board the plane flying to Paris!Is this for real?? Polina immediately fastened her seatbelt, took out a blanket and fell asleep. So much so that when the flight attendant was shaking her to make sure she was buckled, Polinka didn't even react. In the end the flight attendant lifted the blanket and made sure everything was okay. Then Vika and I also fell asleep. Eight hours to Paris flew by unnoticed.

Paris! We're halfway home. Two hours until boarding. Everything is so expensive here!! French perfumes in France cost more than in NY! Paradox!A slice of pizza is twice as expensive. And what kind of people live here??

Boarding. First class. If you've ridden in a BMW, you won't go back to a Zaporozhets. If you've been to America, you won't want to live in Russia. If you've flown first class, you won't want economy now! :) A dedicated flight attendant, a private lavatory, a stack of fresh fashion magazines, a meal of sea scallops, roasted chicken with spices, curry sauce in coconut milk with tomato, thick polenta with Italian cheese and baby spinach, mold-ripened cheese, for dessert a shortcrust tartlet with mango, and, of course, French wines and champagne – all of it was simply fabulous!! And the view of the twinkling Eiffel Tower and evening Paris gave simply indescribable impressions!! We felt like simply fabulous ladies!!