Airports: a review

 CDG

PDX

          One truth about flying is that a person spends almost as much time in the airport as in the plane - and sometimes more. 

          Two of the nicest smaller airports I have been in are Verona Italy and Calgary Canada. The former because of the personnel and the latter because you do feel welcome. Calgary also has some interesting things to see.

          On my big airport list is Charles de Gaulle in Paris. As big as it is I am fond of Terminal 2F with its high-end stores and fairly good food. They have comfortable chairs and it is exceptionally clean. For those who care, they have - I'll say pretty - restrooms. 

          Another great airport is Portland International. Good shops and food - and, there is a city ordinance that they cannot charge more for things than they do in the city. Except for A gates, it is a pleasure.

          I find London Heathrow usually not very clean. Dublin would be okay if you could find your way to ground transport. Madrid is cold - not like ice cold, but like sterile cold. 

          We use San Francisco International often as well as other Bay Area and Sacramento Airports. They seem too much like home to make an evaluation. I do think the food is overpriced at SFO.

          The worst airport? I would have to give that to Detroit. The personnel make you forget anything nice about it. But, I suppose that how we like airports is how we like hospitals. It really depends on your experience and the outcome.