HOW did this happen?? Long story short:
Julia and her friend, Stephen, have had a trip to the Netherlands planned for almost nine months now. A trip to the Netherlands is something that Julia and I had talked about on several occasions; she decided this summer was the year to do it, and that did not work into my schedule at the time. THEN, all of a sudden, a week before she's about to leave, it's starting to look like it worked with my schedule. AND I could even take work with me to do on the trip! I couldn't say "no."
A couple of days before I bought a ticket, I wrote down a list entitled, "I will go to Europe if..."
SOMEHOW every single criterion that I had written down was met; I don't consider myself superstitious, but if that is not a sign, then I do not know what is.
One thing that I have realized about myself is what I do when something "hits me." It didn't hit me that I was going to Europe until I was standing in the customs line in the Frankfurt airport. I had just been woken up from a restless sleep on the airplane and was angry (the sole reason being because I was awake... ask my family... I do not do mornings well). And then all of a sudden I just started chuckling to myself with a silly grin on my face. THAT, apparently is what I do when something hits me. I finally got out of my "why am I awake" state and realized that I was in freaking GERMANY.
Ever since then, I have just had a slight grin that won't leave my face. When I am traveling, that is when I feel comfortable. Somehow my stress and anxiety goes away, and I focus on planning. For being a super spontaneous person, I love planning a lot more than you would think. I just don't like doing it way in advance. But planning a week ahead? THAT I can do.
After I made it through customs (I didn't even utter a word and I was waved right on through - easiest customs EVER), I walked over to the train station to figure out which train I should take to my hostel. After trying to buy the ticket with my credit card, I realized that this was impossible, and bought a cappuccino so that I could get exact change (which the machine said I needed). Turns out I didn't need exact change.
ANYWAY, eventually I bought the right ticket and was waiting for the train to Frankfurt Central station... and I waited and waited. I kept hearing announcements in German, and a few people would leave each time. Since I obviously couldn't understand them, I just kept an eye on anyone around me that was speaking in German. As long as someone that could understand the announcements was still waiting, then I figured the announcement couldn't be THAT important. THEN, the screen flashed, "TRAIN CANCELED." With that, I up and left.
I ended up finding another train several hundred meters and many stairs later. Somewhere on that trek, I dropped my ticket. Regardless, I confidently stepped on the train and crossed my fingers that no one would ask me for my ticket.
I finally arrived at Frankfurt Central Station and knowing that I had to go southeast, I headed out the south exit. Normally I would pause and get my bearings, but this dude was trying really hard to start a conversation with me, so I just took off... in the wrong direction. I realized this, but couldn't turn around, seeing as I had just told that guy that I knew exactly where I was going. So, after a long walk around the long block, in 90 degrees, and a hat, and a backpack, I finally figured out where to go. And checked into my hostel with no problem! I shouldn't be complaining about the heat... I met a girl who was on her way to India, but ended up stuck in Frankfurt... in jeans... with no change of clothes. I had shorts, I was lucky. I mention this because our hostel had no AC.
After settling in, I headed to Romer. It was one of the top things that came up when I had searched, "things to do in Frankfurt." And it was free, because it's just a pretty courtyard. My kind of start to a trip when I am exhausted but forcing myself to stay awake!
ANYWAY, eventually I bought the right ticket and was waiting for the train to Frankfurt Central station... and I waited and waited. I kept hearing announcements in German, and a few people would leave each time. Since I obviously couldn't understand them, I just kept an eye on anyone around me that was speaking in German. As long as someone that could understand the announcements was still waiting, then I figured the announcement couldn't be THAT important. THEN, the screen flashed, "TRAIN CANCELED." With that, I up and left.
I ended up finding another train several hundred meters and many stairs later. Somewhere on that trek, I dropped my ticket. Regardless, I confidently stepped on the train and crossed my fingers that no one would ask me for my ticket.
I finally arrived at Frankfurt Central Station and knowing that I had to go southeast, I headed out the south exit. Normally I would pause and get my bearings, but this dude was trying really hard to start a conversation with me, so I just took off... in the wrong direction. I realized this, but couldn't turn around, seeing as I had just told that guy that I knew exactly where I was going. So, after a long walk around the long block, in 90 degrees, and a hat, and a backpack, I finally figured out where to go. And checked into my hostel with no problem! I shouldn't be complaining about the heat... I met a girl who was on her way to India, but ended up stuck in Frankfurt... in jeans... with no change of clothes. I had shorts, I was lucky. I mention this because our hostel had no AC.
After settling in, I headed to Romer. It was one of the top things that came up when I had searched, "things to do in Frankfurt." And it was free, because it's just a pretty courtyard. My kind of start to a trip when I am exhausted but forcing myself to stay awake!
Cute courtyard, right?!
I made sure that I made it back in time for the free dinner at my hostel and then settled in for a night of planing, designing, blogging and beer. Oh, and weird men. Scratch that... A weird Arab man.
I had to sit at a big table because it was the only one open near a window (no AC). Side note - I realized that's why Germans smell so bad!! They don't believe in AC!!
So there's all these open spots, which of course this man takes as an invitation. And... I'll try not to get into it too much (he sat there for at least an hour and a half), he was asking all sorts of things about what I do, where I'm from, what I like to drink... several times trying to buy me shots... My excuse for saying no? "I drink beer only when I'm abroad." Which, believe it or not, is actually true. Well, beer and wine. That is the best way to experience a country's culture, I think.
I mentioned that he was Arab, right? I'm only stressing that point, because when I mentioned that I wanted to get into radio, he said, "Make a deal with me, when you're famous, you'll let me into your country." SKETCHYYY
Thankfully, the guy that sat next to me after that, said "hey" and then enjoyed the breeze in silence with me. Well, there was a bunch of people playing guitars and singing and such, but I wasn't being harassed anymore. Thank you, second guy.
I couldn't really sleep that night because it was so hot. But whatever. I freakin made it!!!!
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