On location in NYC

Antananarivo, Madagascar (TNR)

After a 10 hour flight, a 6 hour layover and another 8 hour flight, I arrive in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
After an hour in the very antiquated immigration line I come to find that one of my bags is missing. The one with my monitor and wide angle lens.  Next flight in two days. Hopefully it's still with the airline in Paris and it didn't fall off the truck.  Luckily it wasn't all the video stock.

More later,
DL

Excess Baggage, Plan Ahead

Ok, finally made it to LAX and after going through US Customs to register my equipment (this is so they know I didn't purchase any of it abroad) and making my way to the Delta terminal, only to be told to go to the Air France terminal. I made it to the counter. They were able to find me a seat but then when I told them that I was traveling alone with 10 pieces of baggage, they informed my that a solo traveler was only allowed 200 KG. ( that's 440  lbs to us Americans). 

 

News to me. Never heard of this one. What was I going to leave behind? And with whom? Just stuff some extra camera equipment into the trash can like I've seen tourist do with their clothes?

Final weight total = 197 kg!  Whew!!!  I definitely wasn't going to jettison the 2 bottles of scotch.

Major drama diverted and $2,420 later my gear is on the jet.

Now just to survive the next 26 hours on two flights.

More later,

DL

LAX-CDG-Madagascar

Destination: Madagascar 

Client: Sante Fe Folk Art Market

Today I fly to Madagascar via Paris ( Charles DeGaulle) it's a 10 hour flight with a 5 hour lay over and then another 10 hour flight. Just as I was heading out the door to catch a 1:00 flight I got a call from the travel agent telling me my original flight was cancelled. Not to worry, she said, she booked me on a later flight. Just saved me 6 hours of waiting at LAX and I get to go have breakfast with my girlfriend.

Lesson learned: be nice to the travel agent.  They have numerous clients and like most people are overwhelmed. Treat them special and they most likely will do the same.

Now we'll see if she can get me a decent seat.

Stay tuned,

DL