Safe and sound in Frankfurt

After a long day, or was it two days, we finally arrived in Frankfurt around noon on Monday September 3, 2007. Our original flight from Chicago to Washington D.C. was turned around a few minutes into flight due to malfunctioning wing flaps. While not given much information on the mechanical effect of the delay, I do know there was emergency personnel standing by on the run way when we managed to land again in Chicago (although, I think that might be a common precautionary procedure whenever an aircraft is rerouted due to mechanical failures).

With Matt’s swift skills on the phone with the United agent we were able to be rebooked on another flight from Chicago to D.C. and D.C. to Frankfurt a few hours later. When we reached the front of the international rebooking line (which United handled surprisingly well) we were reissued tickets and moved to economy plus. The flights to Frankfurt were uneventful.

Below are Monica and Matt waiting in line to speak to the United representative.

Arriving in Frankfurt we continued through security and customs and down to baggage claim to find out our bags hadn’t completed the journey we had. Lufthansa airlines are to deliver our luggage to our hotel tomorrow morning. I am sure they will be here or we will be able to make due.

This evening we spent walking around exploring Frankfurt, orientating ourselves with public transportation, deciphering a language that has little resemblance to English, and enjoying weather very much like Denver. Since arriving in Germany we have seen rain, overcast, and clear blue skies. We dined this evening in an Italian restaurant at the recommendation of a nice lady at the gelatteria. The food was wonderful and we had the chance to speak to a couple who gave us suggestions for tomorrow. We are still planning that itinerary (thanks to locations with free wifi, this task is much easier).

Below is a photograph of the “Times Square” esque portion of Frankfurt we stumbled upon and enjoyed a wonderful cup of coffee and tea.

After recouping from the long flight we will be more active in the evenings and my entries will be more sporadic. Until then, I hope you all have had a wonderful day off work or school!