So as I quickly posted yesterday, I made it to Germany. That is pretty much all I said because at that point I was exhausted and ready for a nap. Well that nap turned into about an 18 hr hibernation and my batteries are recharged. So before leaving Miami, my father and I stopped at a AAA office to exchange currency (I would not want to need a few euros for a beer, and only have american dollars would I). Well let me tell you this - THE EXCHANGE RATE SUCKS and AAA charges you alot to exchange money. For $200 I was given 120 Euro, which I checked xe.com to see what it should have equaled - 139 Euro. Those bastards took advantage of us. Eitherway the lesson was learned, and I am glad I had the Euros in my pocket.
Flying on an aircraft use to be a wonderful experience back in the day (so I have been told), but today it seems like a test of willpower and strength. As you strap into your narrow seat you look to those around you, your eyes saying to them "I do not want to make you uncomfortable, please do not make me uncomfortable, lets try to get through this as easy as possible." (Unless you are a high roller in first class, then you are simply wondering where your free drink is.) I did pay an added fee on my flights so I could choose my seats. I chose isle seats for both flights, and I must admit I got lucky as could be. No one sat directly next to me! Which worked out great cause as I sat in the chair, with my back pressed against it, it was very obvious that my shoulders were wider than the chairback its self.
So about 12 hours after my last cigarette, having got minimal sleep on the plan because of little kids crying (YES bring a little kid on a plane is a BAD idea) I made it to Dusseldorf, which through pretrip research I knew to have smoking lounges. Yet they had none in the international terminal. I was prepared for this, it was like a sprint to customs. Luckily for me, I had no woman, or kids, or old people to wait for, I was one of the first 4 from my flight to make it to customs. The agent sat in a booth that was elevated and as I stepped towards him I could not help but think this guy holds my trip in his hands. He is like St. Peter, or will allow or deny me entry. I was ready for a barrage of questions, and a full body cavity search, and to my disappoint I was asked only questions. What is the reason for your visit? Vacation and school sir. How long are you staying? My return flight is booked for Aug. 23rd sir. Do you have anything to declare? No sir.
With those three answers my passport lost its virginity, a 30 something year old German man stamped it hard and fast, and now I was off. Walking out of the customs area I was immediately greeted by the security checkpoint for Gate B, which just happened to be where my next flight was taking off from. An older gentleman asked if my connecting flight was at that terminal, I said yes, but I wanted to have a smoke first. He kindly pointed out there were smoking lounges inside the terminal. I was sold, and was now waiting in line patiently, when someone from there equivalent of the TSA pointed to me and told me to come to this line, that was just opening. Who would think, an airport alot closer to the home of the terrorists, and I did not have to take my shoes off. (Does the TSA take it too far?) Finally I am on my way to Terminal B, and at first glimpse of a sign that said smoking lounge (I could not remember or even try to spell what it said in German) I started following the arrows. Forward, Left, Right, and look to your right, and there it was. Now if you have every been in a smoking lounge at the Atlanta Airport, you know they are disgusting, dirty places, where even as a smoker its hard to walk into. This had a flat screen tv built into the wall that was showing fake fishes swim around, with art deco style seating areas. It was rather impressive.
Flight number two started boarding at 7:50am, and took off a few minutes early. I was very excited when told this flight would only last approx. one hour! A took a short nap and woke up as we landed. WELCOME TO MUNICH Matt!!! So I was off, following the people infront of me like we were cattle, and finally we arrived at the baggage claim. Within a few minutes bags started littering the conveyor belt. They where everywhere like Affliction T-shirts at Duffy's during a UFC pay-per-view! Out of the corner of my eye I saw the bright safety orange tape that I placed on both my bags before leaving. One bag on the car, waiting on the other. A few more seconds and up popped number 2 and I was off to see Sebastian (a friend of mine whom I met while he was an exchange student about ten years ago.), who was picking me up. We had previously discussed where we would meet, and well he was not there. No worries, I figured he had got stuck in traffic, so I got a cup of coffee and went outside to enjoy the fresh air, and have a smoke. After 40 min. had gone by, I started to get a little stressed out. Here I was in a foreign country, with no cell phone, and my ride had not shown up. The cabdrivers were eyeing me up like I was a fresh piece of meat, they were wondering who would get to strip this American of the Euros as they took the long way to whatever destination I asked them to go. Finally I decided I would have to find internet access, maybe he wrote me an email to say he was running late or HAHA I am not picking you up it was all a joke...
After trekking halfway across Munich to find a wifi spot I was able to see that he was stuck in traffic, and he would be there as soon as he could. Talk about a relief!! So I wandered back to our designated meeting spot and relaxed knowing that the plan was back on course. As I sat there I saw a black mini cooper with some sort of advertising on the side pull up, and out climbed Sebas. I was very happy to see him, but now I grew concerned my bags would not fit, afterall I had a large duffel bag, and a large hiking style backpack, plus my carry-on bag, and this was a mini-cooper. With the push of a button the back seat was laid down, my bags were in, and then I climbed into the passenger seat. Unaware of how they "drive" in europe, I was ready for a scary ride. I must admit though it was not bad, just like in Port St. Lucie you have idiots that do not know what a directional indicator is for, and just like in Orlando you have traffic. All in all it was not a bad experience. We traveled into the heart of Munich, and let me tell you, it makes parking in Downtown Orlando look easy. We found a spot and started our trek, the goal was to find the Hofbrauhaus so I could have a true German beer. Many of my friends have spoken of their visit to the Hofbrauhaus like was a a religious pilgrimage.
We passed a many different sculptures and many old building that had wonderful architectural features, which I figured I would get pictures off on my next visit. After what seemed like a long walk, and a short subway ride we came around a corner and then I saw it. The blue circle with HB in white, the angels started singing as I knew we found our destination.....
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