GOOOOOOO!!!!!

Guten Tag!
Well, I made it - all the way to Germany, through immigration (they let me in thank God), customs, the trains, and into a hotel in Frankfurt. Man, what a day.


The Itinerary:
Today:

• Depart Denver Intl. Airport - 5:35 PM
• Arrive Frankfurt Intl. Airport - 11:45 AM
• Unload off plane (onto Tarmac) and take bus to terminal - 12:15
• Clear Immigration - 12:20
• Wait for luggage - 12:25- 14:00
• Board Regional Bahn to Frankfurt am Main - 14:34
• Arrive Frankfurt Hbf - 14:50
• Check into Hotel - 15:20

Tomorrow:

• Wake up, when I am rested and over my Jet-Lag - 9:00-10:00
• Hotel Checkout - 12:00
• Board train to Freiburg im Breisgau
• Arrive Freiburg - Cab to IES Center
• IES Check-in - 9:00-17:00

Things I've learned so far:

• Expect the unexpected. 2 reasons: 1 - while checking in on Monday morning at DIA, I discovered that Lufthansa has a policy that international travelers may may have 2 bags, each weighing no more than 23 kg. I had 2 bags, but one was 25 kilos, the other only 16. This meant opening my luggage at DIA and shuffling around my belongings. 2 - Upon arrival in Frankfurt and after passing through immigration (where I was asked no questions and said nothing but "Hello") I proceeded to baggage claim. Unfortunately, Lufthansa seemed to have "misplaced" 3 luggage carts, with 1/2 of the plane's passenger's luggage on it, mine included. I then got to wait around for 1 1/2 hours while they sorted out the whole mess and I eventually got all my luggage.
• Keep your eyes open, and ears too. Very important to consider, although Germany doesn't have much crime, thief's take advantage of people who are obviously foreign, lost, or otherwise not tuned in. So walking around, looking at the ground (or a map, or a phone etc.) while listening to music on an I-Pod, makes you an easy mark. Note: I have not been victimized, or seen this happen - and hopefully I won't - but it is info worth passing on anyway.
• Someone around you speaks English. All you have to do is ask, most people can hobble together a few sentences, and anyone who looks important, or wears a uniform of some kind can probably help you find what you're looking for. It never hurts to ask (asking in German helps too!)
• Less is more. I brought a lot of crap, I'm sure once I get moved into my dorm space I'll get everything organized, but man it feels like a lot to haul around, even just walking through the train station and around the airport.
• My German needs a lot of work. It is basically useless for any practical purpose at this point beyond saying hello, goodbye, please, thank you and asking if someone speaks English.

Right now it is snowing in Frankfurt, covering the ground with yet more of the white stuff. The weather here makes me glad that I am from Colorado, and know how to dress and prepare for cold weather. I feel bad for the students in my program who are from Los Angeles, Florida, Texas etc. because not owning a winter jacket here would be really bad.


Hope everyone enjoyed reading, I'll be sure to give constant updates. Any feedback is welcomed and appreciated!


Auf Wiedersehen,
Evan