Volume 2, Day 96
Does my last day in Europe even count as a day if I am getting on an airplane at 9am? Summer is over and the European phase of my global rambles come to an end. I awoke to the buzzing of my mobile phone under my pillow at 5 am to catch the 5:32 suburban commuter train to Mannheim, where I then transferred to an ICE towards Frankfurt Airport. In typical German fashion, the high speed train climbed upwards of 100km an hour before stopping and waiting on the tracks for ten minutes for what I can only assume a freight train to pass by. The German businessman sitting across from me glibly commented that you can never rely on the train schedules to catch connections. At least, I assume that’s what he said; I only caught the word “umsteigen” which means to change trains.
It was fine, though. The train drops you off right in front of the airport and a shuttle bus carried me to Terminal 2 where I checked in via the self service terminal and gaped at the long line for the baggage drop. Realizing a little too late that I was actually flying priority, I waltzed straight up to a counter to get rid of my single checked suitcase. It was a little surprising to get the third-degree from the airline employee about my trip and where I went (clearly legally mandated rather than just small talk).
The shops were between the border check (which went smoothly) and the security check, which did not. I waited 10 minutes to get my bags as the elderly couple in front of me had to endure the humiliation of security personnel pulling every single item out of their bag and questioning “what’s this?” After a consultation with guards carrying assault rifles, they had to surrender some sort of cheese that was packed in a tiny amount of brine.
It was my turn to get yelled at afterwards for not pulling separating my phone charger and (honestly) forgetting that I had sunblock in my backpack. The agent pulled out a plastic ziplock bag, put the sunblock in and warned me to follow the rules next time.
The flight was not bad. I was able to watch four movies despite their decision to reboot the entertainment system (which takes 30 minutes). It was funny how American the flight attendants were. The little card on my seat said there was a choice of chicken with orzo or a vegetarian Indian curry for the meal service, but when they worked their way down the aisle, the choice was “chicken or pasta.” I asked for chicken, but as they were down to their last chicken, a different attendant asked “would you mind taking the curry instead.” Of course not, but that wasn’t the choice the near retirement age flight attendant presented. How white can that woman be that she sees some “ethnic” food she doesn’t recognize and just calls it pasta.
The downside of the flight was that I was in the window seat and the guy sitting next to me slept most of the flight, trapping me. I could see the cart in the galley with snacks and wine bottles and I couldn’t get reach it like some sort of punishment in Greek mythology.
| Coffee/croissant | 3.48 |
| Train | 21.9 |
| Total: | 25.38 EUR (198 RMB) (USD 27.85) |
Running Total: 35311.7 RMB (USD 4966.41)
Daily Average: 367.8 RMB (USD 51.73)
The flight is a sort of special circumstance, so it won’t be included in the grand total of things. Still, its a little disappointing that I couldn’t break under 50 USD a day on spending. I’ll have to go back to Japan where it is so much cheaper.
Anyways, that will be it for the travel blogging for a while. Stay tuned for a possible Volume 3!