I was awaken to Liz bringing me a mug of hot chocolate. That’s a great way to wake up in the morning. Much better than an annoying alarm clock. Tastes better too.
We sat around the breakfast table in a very quiet mood. I think we were all sad that my trip was coming to an end. Liz and Holli told me several times how much they enjoyed me being there and how it’ll be lonely for a while without me. That made me feel good.
We still had some time before my flight left so we decided to stop at what looked like Germany’s equivalent to Walmart. The store had pretty much everything you would want or need, including the shirts we looked all over for. It’s very ironic that we scoured all the tourist spots without any luck but ended up finding it in a frickin’ Walmart. Oh well…I bought two.
I also purchased some chocolates, curry mayo and a box of Billy Boy condoms, just for fun. I grab a little bag of “student food” for my trip. Germans call trail mix student food. It’s actually advertised that way. Makes sense to me. I also had to purchase a 2nd bag to put everything in. But that was better. I had to cram my other suitcase to the point of splitting the seams. I redistributed some of my stuff and we were on our way, with just enough time to get to the airport.
As it turns out, there was road construction on the way to the airport that actually kept us at a standstill several times. I tried not to freak out as time kept passing…and passing. Even though I would love to stay for a few more days, I couldn’t miss my flight. We finally made it to the airport, and after searching and searching for a parking spot, I got through the ticket line and security with about 5 minutes to spare. Before we said our good-byes, Liz and Holli handed me a German board game and a card. I didn’t have time to read the card so I threw it in my carry-on. We gave our last hugs and good-byes and I was on my way home.
Once I got settled I pulled out the card and read it:
“Dear Darrin.
You came here as a buddy but today you leave as a true friend. We will never forget these days. As “our” song says, “Won’t forget these days”. Please come again. But this time with Joni. Thank you for this great time!
Your friends from Germany,
Holli & Liz”
I was very touched by their kind words. And I feel the same about my visit with them.
After they dropped me off at the airport, Holli headed off to school and Liz took a train to meet her family in Munster for a few days. They asked me to please text them when I arrive home, no matter what time it is.
My first stop was Heathrow. The airport was very large. The area I was in was very antiquated. I couldn’t find a bathroom anywhere. I finally asked someone at a gate and was told I must pass through the security area to the other side and could find one there.
Overall I found the folks at Heathrow to be very pleasant with each other. Coworkers laughed and talked among themselves. But they weren’t necessarily very friendly to their customers. Again, it was just a snapshot in the little time I had there, but that was my experience.
I got both seats in the little section of my aisle on the 777 to myself. I was able to look out the window and could see a good part of London from above. It was much more sprawling than I expected. I settled in for the 10 hour flight that took us over Scotland, up across the bottom of Greenland and over Goose Bay, Canada. I watched a little in flight video; Will Smith’s “Hancock.” Wasn’t really worth watching. I wrote in my blog and listened to some of Neal Morse’s new CD that I received the day before I left. It’s good but so far not as good as his other stuff. But it may take a few listens.
I made it home just before midnight. I realized I’d been awake, waiting for planes or on planes, for almost 24 hours. But when I got home I was still very excited. I pulled out the souvenirs I bought for Joni and gave them to her. I finally crawled into bed about 2:00 AM.
It was an EXCELLENT trip!
We sat around the breakfast table in a very quiet mood. I think we were all sad that my trip was coming to an end. Liz and Holli told me several times how much they enjoyed me being there and how it’ll be lonely for a while without me. That made me feel good.
We still had some time before my flight left so we decided to stop at what looked like Germany’s equivalent to Walmart. The store had pretty much everything you would want or need, including the shirts we looked all over for. It’s very ironic that we scoured all the tourist spots without any luck but ended up finding it in a frickin’ Walmart. Oh well…I bought two.
I also purchased some chocolates, curry mayo and a box of Billy Boy condoms, just for fun. I grab a little bag of “student food” for my trip. Germans call trail mix student food. It’s actually advertised that way. Makes sense to me. I also had to purchase a 2nd bag to put everything in. But that was better. I had to cram my other suitcase to the point of splitting the seams. I redistributed some of my stuff and we were on our way, with just enough time to get to the airport.
As it turns out, there was road construction on the way to the airport that actually kept us at a standstill several times. I tried not to freak out as time kept passing…and passing. Even though I would love to stay for a few more days, I couldn’t miss my flight. We finally made it to the airport, and after searching and searching for a parking spot, I got through the ticket line and security with about 5 minutes to spare. Before we said our good-byes, Liz and Holli handed me a German board game and a card. I didn’t have time to read the card so I threw it in my carry-on. We gave our last hugs and good-byes and I was on my way home.
Once I got settled I pulled out the card and read it:
“Dear Darrin.
You came here as a buddy but today you leave as a true friend. We will never forget these days. As “our” song says, “Won’t forget these days”. Please come again. But this time with Joni. Thank you for this great time!
Your friends from Germany,
Holli & Liz”
I was very touched by their kind words. And I feel the same about my visit with them.
After they dropped me off at the airport, Holli headed off to school and Liz took a train to meet her family in Munster for a few days. They asked me to please text them when I arrive home, no matter what time it is.
My first stop was Heathrow. The airport was very large. The area I was in was very antiquated. I couldn’t find a bathroom anywhere. I finally asked someone at a gate and was told I must pass through the security area to the other side and could find one there.
Overall I found the folks at Heathrow to be very pleasant with each other. Coworkers laughed and talked among themselves. But they weren’t necessarily very friendly to their customers. Again, it was just a snapshot in the little time I had there, but that was my experience.
I got both seats in the little section of my aisle on the 777 to myself. I was able to look out the window and could see a good part of London from above. It was much more sprawling than I expected. I settled in for the 10 hour flight that took us over Scotland, up across the bottom of Greenland and over Goose Bay, Canada. I watched a little in flight video; Will Smith’s “Hancock.” Wasn’t really worth watching. I wrote in my blog and listened to some of Neal Morse’s new CD that I received the day before I left. It’s good but so far not as good as his other stuff. But it may take a few listens.
I made it home just before midnight. I realized I’d been awake, waiting for planes or on planes, for almost 24 hours. But when I got home I was still very excited. I pulled out the souvenirs I bought for Joni and gave them to her. I finally crawled into bed about 2:00 AM.
It was an EXCELLENT trip!
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