theinbetweenismine

just a girl living the expat life

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My journey home

October 7, 2009 filed under: I can't make this shit up, my so-called life, travel

The day of travel was a little chaotic, to say the least.
My Dad took me to Düsseldorf airport around 6:30 a.m. last Wednesday and when we arrived, there were LONG (and I mean, really long!) lines at the Lufthansa Check-Ins.
I was able to check in my luggage and then said a quick goodbye to my Dad. (Thank God my sister didn’t come to the airport, that would have been a disaster because she ALWAYS starts crying and then I start crying, too, and then my Mom can’t hold back the tears either. It’s a rather wet matter). I made it through security only to hang around the gate for over an hour.

Lufthansa had a worldwide computer system failure and everything had to be done manually (can you imagine?). Needless to say, my plane was late and I landed in Frankfurt right around the time the flight to Houston was supposed to take off. Luckily, because of the system failure, the flight was delayed as well and I made it to the different terminal in time to board. Mind you, I was soaked in sweat when I arrived at the gate, but who cares to sit next to me for the next 10 hours, right?
Then, the next bummer: because of the system failure, every passenger had to identify their luggage before it could be loaded on the plane, but my luggage (a suitcase and a sports bag) wasn’t there. I was the only one on the platform eventually waiting for my luggage and by the time I boarded the plane, my luggage still hadn’t turned up.
I learned that it was possible held up when it was being transferred from the DUS-FRA flight to the FRA-IAD flight and that I should complain to Lufthansa if my luggage isn’t there once I get to Houston (IAD).

picture0017

The flight was long and at least I got lucky and could switch seats, so that I had an extra free seat next to me. I tried to sleep as much as I could. The meals were also pretty decent – considering that airplane food is never something to write home about. I had Nürnberger Rostbratwürstchen with Sauerkraut und mashed potatoes for dinner and Beef Geschnetzeltes with rice and zucchini shortly before we landed, and both dishes weren’t bad at all.
When I got to Houston (with a 2 hour delay) my luggage was indeed not on the plane. Bummer! I also had missed my connecting flights to Sacramento, so I went over to the Lufthansa counter and was told that they had rebooked me already. On the same flight FOR THE NEXT DAY!
Waaaah! I didn’t have my luggage and they were going to put me in a hotel for about 24 hours? No way! I told them that I really wanted to go home and that they’d better find a seat on another plane for me.
Eventually, they were able to rebook me on a Continental flight (thank God!) for 8 p.m., but they couldn’t give me any information about the whereabouts of my luggage.

I got into Sacramento around 11 p.m. and an impatient hubby was awaiting me already. Thankfully, I was “only” 2,5 hours delayed from my originally anticipated arrival.
We went to the Lost & Found Center to let them know that my luggage got left behind and to arrange delivery for once the bags got there and then all I wanted was to go home and fall into my own bed.

I need to mention that Houston gets “two thumbs up” for a very good airport experience.
I’ve gone through many, many airports on my back-and-forth travel to Germany and I have rarely had such a good impression of an airport. The personnel was very friendly (although I am still not sure why the immigration officer a) didn’t crack a joke about my last name (they always do!) and b) asked me so many unnecessary questions) and what impressed me the most was that drinks and food were not – against all expectations – outrageously overpriced.
I paid $1.61 for a 20oz bottle of soda and $3.25 for a big serving of Chow Mein at Panda Express.

0930091901

I mean, seriously, name one airport where you can have dinner for under $5!
All that was missing was the free Wi-fi! :)

I had originally planned to go to work again on Thursday, but for obvious reasons (getting home very late, no luggage, being exhausted), I decided to stay home and recuperate.
Luckily, I received a phone call in the a.m.’s letting me know that my luggage was on route and that it was going to be delivered in the evening.
I received my bags shortly before I was about to go to bed and, thank God!, it looked like customs/immigration didn’t even inspect my “single traveling” bags and the goodies that I brought back from Germany were all there :)

Wow, and now I’ve been back home for a whole week again already.
Goodness gracious!

9

Comments

  1. Sanna says

    October 7, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    Oh my, what a stressful day! Glad you and your bags made it there in the end!
    Smoochie!

    Reply
  2. Cathy Mac says

    October 8, 2009 at 12:29 am

    Hey Sis, crappy about yr luggage but gosh what a great trip. I can not believe how big Greta is :-) Miss ya sis Hope u are having a relax now u r home :-) Love ya Cath

    Reply
  3. ute says

    October 8, 2009 at 7:31 am

    wow what a day. you poor thing! glad you got home ok and that they found your luggage as well. that would have been something…next time stop at NYC. :)

    Reply
  4. Terra says

    October 8, 2009 at 8:27 am

    What a day! I’m glad they found your luggage in a timely manner! I think it’s SO stressful to not have any idea where your stuff is…Welcome home!
    .-= Terra´s last blog ..“You’re just not like other people” =-.

    Reply
  5. ilka says

    October 8, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    loosing your lugguage plus delays and stuff…simply hate it. had it so many times on business travels and they got me sweaty so many times, since u have to run through airports u never been before plus having to change terminals. but be happy your lugguage got lost on the way home. mine got lost in the middle of a trip changing countries. that sucked really bad. but i am glad to hear you made it safe and sound and hope u are back on track again.

    Reply
  6. Tanja says

    October 8, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    I’m glad you made it safe back to the US. What a bummer to have such a stressful trip back. But I guess to be together again with your hubby helps to recover real quick, right?

    Reply
  7. Maribeth says

    October 10, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Oh I hate it when that happens. But…glad it all turned out well in the end.
    .-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Puppy Pictures! =-.

    Reply
  8. Angela says

    October 15, 2009 at 11:27 am

    I went to Mexico a few years ago, and there was a computer system failure for the airlines I was flying on. Like you said, everything had to be done manually, it was interesting, to say the least!
    .-= Angela´s last blog ..New Sweater =-.

    Reply
  9. Carolina says

    October 21, 2009 at 6:17 am

    I’m sorry I’m barely catching up!! I promise I still read your posts my friend!!

    I’m soo glad you had a great time visiting your family/friends in Germany. I’m glad you’re trip home was free of entirely too much drama. Bet you were so happy to see your hubby!!
    .-= Carolina´s last blog ..Insomnia Will Make You Do Silly Things =-.

    Reply

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Hi, I am San – German native, dual-citizen living in beautiful Northern California. Runner. Knitter. Crafter. Reader. Writer. Proud aunt, sister, and friend.

I’ve been blogging since 2004 and don’t intend to stop any time soon. If you are looking for personal content and making a  genuine connection, you’ve come to the right place.

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