The Frankfurt airport is quite large. I knew that I would need to get my fingerprints taken as it was my first time in Europe since they require fingerprints.
It took a long time to get from the plane to the terminal by bus. I wasn’t sure I would make it to my flight with an hour to go.
Luckily, all signs are in German and English. It was easy to find the machine which scans my passport and fingerprints. Luckily the fingerprints worked on the first try!
I then turned a corner and my worst fears were realized. There was a very long lineup through immigration. I guess scanning your fingerprints isn’t enough.
I did see an express line for flights that leave in 45 minutes or less. My boarding time was definitely within 45 minutes but I wasn’t sure if they meant flight time.
I am happy I took that line because a) I would t have made it on time waiting in “over 45 minutes” line and b) the immigration officer didn’t even look at my boarding pass to confirm the time! Although, perhaps that’s already with my passport that he scanned.
A minute passed, and I was let through with no questions asked. First stop after that was the washroom which I desperately needed.
However, I’m not sure I would have gone to it if I knew I had to pass through another security checkpoint. My air Canada app said I wouldn’t have to. I threw everything into my bag and at the last minute I realized that my water bottle was full so I found a garbage bag and dumped most of it out. I feel bad for the guy taking that garbage bag out!
I made my way to the gate and had ten minutes to spare. I went in search of a water fountain but couldn’t find any. Maybe it’s not common in Frankfurt? I need to remember to fill up my bottle in a washroom after security.
I am happy I made all my connecting flights. The stress has lowered. Now, onto find Chris who will meet me at my gate.
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Found Chris at the exit of the airport and we went to the train station to get into the city center where Philipp rented us a place downtown for a few days. I did a little dance for Chris but there was no reaction. Then I thought “Maybe that’s not Chris?” so I stopped dancing. On his end, he didn’t have his glasses on so he thought “Is that guy dancing over there, Ryan? I’m not sure.”
Philipp had to get back to work until the evening so Chris and I walked around a Hannover a bit before heading back and taking a nap.
It is cold and windy in Hannover. I should have packed a toque!
After a quick nap, Chris and caught up about life…sore body parts, what our kids are up to.
Philipp met us around 7:30pm at the apartment and we walked down to restaurant that’s theme is focussed on German political history.
Philipp’s father lived 20 kms away from Hannover as a boy. He remembers the night sky bright as day when Hannover was burning to the ground during World War II. This church is one of two buildings that are left from the original Hannover.
The « go-to » meal was the German ex-chancellor meal which consisted of sausage and fries and currywurst. Yum!
Philipp talked about his love life in the past year which had us happy and sad at the same time.
There are quite a few non alcoholic beer options here in Germany and I had a very tasty wheat beer.
After the restaurant, we went in search for another pint and ended up on an Irish pub which was packed for a Monday night. It was karaoke night and it offered what everyone loves about karaoke…sub par singing!!
I was getting quite tired by this point so we went searching for some beer to bring home. It took us forever and we finally found a spot 20 feet from our apartment! While Chris and Philipp chatted, I took the opportunity to sleep. My Fitbit said I had three hours sleep on the flight over!
I woke up around 7:30am and its a quiet, rainy, cold morning around here. As I type this, it’s 9am and the guys are still asleep. I don’t expect much movement happening today!