Starting a journey to Australia for a family holiday, we faced a stopover in Paris for nearly 10 hours. With two young children in tow, the prospect of spending such a stretch at the airport was discouraging. However, recalling a previous business trip to Paris and the exceptional service of my chauffeur Hafid, I reached out to him.
Remarkably, he was nearby, having just dropped off passengers at Charles de Gaulle airport. Within minutes, we found ourselves comfortably settled in his spacious Mercedes V Class van. My wife, Lucía, was pleased to find a child booster seat for our youngest, as Hafid liked to be ready for any eventuality.
Under Hafid’s expert guidance, we enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Paris, mindful of our tight schedule. Our daughter Isabel was captivated by Paris iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, her wonderment only interrupted by our chauffeur’s thoughtful gesture of offering her a small bag of sweets.
Our time in Paris was brief but memorable. Lucía fulfilled her dream of purchasing a coveted handbag along the Champs-Élysées, and we all enjoyed the exquisite French cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurant Benoit, following Hafid’s recommendation.
Returning to Charles de Gaulle Airport with minutes to spare before our departure to Melbourne, I expressed my gratitude to Hafid for his prompt assistance and attentive care. As we bid farewell to him, I couldn’t help wishing to meet him again, perhaps during my next business venture to Paris.
“In Paris, every journey, no matter how brief, holds the potential for enchantment and discovery. I take pleasure in guiding my passengers through the city’s wonders.”
