We've been at this thing for about a month now. Happy travel anniversary to us. :)
I'm still a bit sick, and so while that's not fun, I'm realizing that even though there may be aspects of this trip that don't live up to or match my expectations, that doesn't mean it's not still growing us, and that doesn't mean that things have gone awry. (Gotta love when you get the opportunity to use the word 'awry'). Truth be told, often our dreams don't turn out exactly as they plan, but I have found, in my experience, that they usually turn out better, more beautiful, and have a much sweeter effect upon the heart and soul if we let them.
Germany was incredible, and we even got to check the "See Switzerland", eat "Swiss Chocolate" and "Visit the Swiss Alps" boxes off. Let me explain: Luisa and her family live in Konstanz, Germany. (They were incredible, by the way. Luisa gets the award for being the world's best personal interpreter. And Luisa's dad gets the tour guide award. This guy's enthusiasm and warm heart certainly made the sight-seeing over the top enjoyable, entertaining, and educational.) Konstanz is so far south in Germany that you can literally see the Swiss Alps from their backyard. (As Nick would say, that's quality.) So while in Germany we rode the Autobahn, saw an Audi shop, took a ride across the border to go up the Swiss Alps, and enjoyed the hospitality of a legitimate German family. Success!
We've reached a bit of a rhythm in our travels. In each country, we set up base, and then explore with whomever we're with. We make great friends, experience the food, the culture, days in the life, and then when our time in that country is up, we get things in motion for the travel days that bookmark the culture/exploration days. These travel days tend to really suck the life out of us - although it's always great to arrive at the next place, the new country, awaiting the next adventure. This morning - awake at 4:00, leave the house at 4:30. Our first train leaves at 5:00. We meet up with our second train at 7:18. We catch our third train at 8:30. At 9:18 we're walking to a bus stop in Mainz/Frankfurt, Germany, looking for the bus that will take us to the airport an hour away from the main part of town where our flight upon RyanAir leaves to take us to Tampere, Finland. (That's right - we had our first RyanAir experience today too - but I'll get to that in a moment.) But in the process of trying to find our bus stop and ask directions, we supposedly miss our shuttle that was supposed to leave at 9:30. But not to worry, our flight doesn't leave until nearly 13:00, we'll make it in time.
Or...
..the next shuttle leaves at 11:40, and arrives at the airport right at 12:55, exactly when our flight should be racing down the runway pulling away from land and lifting those wheels up. Hmmm...
But a nice German fellow said, "Not to worry, I just called, the shuttle be here in two minutes." (Yay thanks, friend.)
Except, 17 minutes later, we're trying not to grow too concerned at the lack of a shuttle, and our new friend is nowhere to be found.
It's ok, we can take a taxi.
"Of course, taxi driver, all three of both of our first born children you can have...yes, and my right arm....whatever it takes so that we don't miss our flight. Scheiße."
(I kept hoping he'd be in the celebratory spirit and throw out an April Fools somewhere. No such luck.)
But we made our flight, and that brings me to RyanAir. The recommendations were right, it is cheap, but you go over that 15 kg limit on your checked bag, and they'll charge you 20 EUROS per KILOGRAM. Good thing mine was only over by a kilogram, and Alex's was under by a kilogram. Therefore, some minimal shifting allowed me to save any children after #3 that I may have in my lifetime, and my left arm, and avoid any further unnecessary, excessive spending. (All part of the experience/adventure, 'eh?)
(By the way, did you know that when traveling overseas, people first ask if we are Canadian, instead of American? This seems to be a common theme. Apparently, Canadians get offended if someone assume's they're American. I had no idea.)
But aside from RyanAir making their real money by charging you for all the little things, it was quite a comfortable and enjoyable flight. They even arrived 20 minutes early to our destination, which they celebrated by playing joyous calvary-style music over the loudspeaker, and then announcing their record for being on time 90% of the time last year - and the most on time flight company in all of Europe. Let's all give RyanAir a big round of applause...
(Not to mention, it snowed on us as we were leaving Frankfurt - and this Texan will always think snowfall is beautiful! It really is all about taking pleasure in the simple things.)
Now in Finland, with two of my favourite people. Looking forward to a relaxing and nourishing Easter weekend. Finland is beautiful, there's snow on the ground, but even if the scenery wasn't picturesque...brutal travel days, ongoing sickness, and excessive prices are all worthwhile when we have the blessing of fantastic company in each of the countries we've visited so far. I am growing more and more convinced that it is people that make the places what they are - beautiful, welcoming, captivating, and something a person can call home.
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” –Jack Kerouac
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