Greetings from Germany!

June 14, 2010
I made it to Germany! First, I arrived at Columbus airport to a delayed trip to Washington DC by an hour and a half. No problem. Just sit around, drink tea and people watch. It was a fun way to pass the time. Anyway, I boarded the plane and was assured we’d be on time to DC; not to worry I would make my connecting flight. Well, the plane landed at 4:55 p.m. my connecting flight to Munich was at 5:30; maybe I could make it, especially if the departure gate was next door. No such luck! By the time the ramp arrived to take us off the plane (which was late and broken) we did not unload until 5:25 p.m. which means I missed my connect flight. No problem says United. We’ll send you out of the 8:11 flight to Frankfurt. To the main counter I go, which is several gates away and housing at least 30 people by the time I arrive. I wasn’t the only one who missed my flight to Germany. United also cancelled a flight due to weather and was in the process of re-booking the entire flight. Yeah! Nice long line. Luckily everyone was in a good mood and pleasant to be around. After waiting two hours in line, yes two, I finally reached the ticket counter. Guess what?

The 8:11 plane to Germany was full; not surprised at this point. No problem says the United worker. We’ve got a plane going to Frankfurt at 10:00 p.m. with a connecting flight to Munich the following day. We’ll give you a standby seat; however, you should have no problem getting on this flight but just in case, let me book you a ticket for the following evening at the same time. I’m thinking great – I’m spending the evening at the airport (I will never get a standby ticket). By the way, she says, you’re number three so it shouldn’t be a problem, really. So, there I wait. Again, drinking tea, talking on the phone and people watching until around 9:45 when my name is called and YES! I have seat on the plane. Unfortunately the flight was (surprise, surprise) delayed an hour – just my luck. I’m starting to wonder if I’m going to make my connecting flight to Munich at 1:30 the following afternoon but am less worried because I also know there is a flight leaving at 3:30; my bases are covered for getting to my sister. We board the plane, finally take off around 11 p.m. and the pilot assured us he will make up the time in flight. Okay, I’m thinking this is cutting it close. Anyway, the story ends by landing at 12:50 p.m. in Frankfurt, going through security twice, walking 50 gates quickly, getting a boarding pass, and calling my sister all before boarding the plane at 1:30; I was almost the last passenger on board but I made it!

Kim waited no longer than ten minutes for me. She greeted me with a hug and a much appreciated cup of tea! The drive to her place took less than two hours. The scenery is beautiful! We ate a simple pizza dinner, sat around and talked for a few hours, and then called it an early evening. I had a relaxing day on Wednesday and Thursday, reading a book and trying to figure out email (I think I will do a blog). Of course, “blogging” will be new to me but probably the easiest way to keep everyone informed. We’ve got travel plans this weekend to Prague – can’t wait.