India trip 2016

here I want to give my family and friends a brief insight into my trip to India from 25.08.-13.09.2016. I will try to summarize 2 days at a time and I hope you have as much fun reading as I have experiencing and writing. :)

25.08.: Arrival at Frankfurt airport at 19:00. Thanks to Deutsche Bahn, even on time.

Okay, that's the plan... running with a backpack and carry-on suitcase to the terminal to find the check-in counters, hoping that everything will go relatively smoothly... In 20 minutes the train will arrive, which will take me to the Adam family to spend one more night near Frankfurt. So far so good!

Since I didn't want to spend a long time looking for the baggage counter, a lady can always ask the nice man at the information counter where exactly to go. The man showed me the way with a wave of his hand and I started searching... NO, not for the check-in counter with staff, as his wave recommends, but actually I should go to the baggage machine (which is also stated in my previously downloaded boarding pass app).

Alright, baggage machine quickly located, nice lady at the machine refers me to the baggage counter with staff, since I want to check in a backpack. Counter is right up front on the left. Said and done. Finally found the right counter. Boarding pass is scanned.

'Oh, your flight is not until tomorrow morning. You're early.' - Yes, without a driver's license, a lady is dependent on public transport. And unfortunately, no trains run from Leipzig to Frankfurt at 4 am that would arrive at least 2-3 hours beforehand. But according to the advice of a colleague and Lufthansa's website, it is possible to drop off the luggage at the advance check-in the evening before.

Another statement at the baggage counter that drives one crazy: 'Since you are checking in a backpack, you may have to pick it up at the oversized baggage in India. But I can't tell you exactly. If it doesn't come out on one baggage belt, just check the other one.' Well thank you very much, that calms me down a lot now. Have I mentioned yet that this is only my 2nd flight and I am traveling alone for the 1st time?! Doesn't matter. Tschaka I can do it. My backpack, now equipped with a bright yellow rain cover to at least cover most of the buckles and straps, goes on its way. At least I can also recognize early on which baggage belt it arrives on.

After looking at my watch, suddenly there is a rush. Damn, my train to the Adam family leaves in 5 minutes and I don't have a ticket yet. Along with a great new 4-wheeled carry-on suitcase (thanks Jasmin for this incredibly practical gift), I run through the terminal once, down an escalator, along a corridor, up 2 more escalators, and for the final sprint, along another corridor. Unfortunately, it is full of people who think it's a good idea to suddenly stop or to block the entire corridor with 3 luggage carts, a child, and a dog.

Okay, stay calm. There are still 2 minutes left. 2 more escalators and then you're already on the platform. Damn, the train is already there and the doors begin to close. My luck, the train conductor is very attentive, notices that I want to get on the train and holds the door open. Done it!

My bad luck... oh yeah, I still need a ticket. Yay, the train conductor issues me one, from Frankfurt Airport to Niederdorfelden. That means: 1 stop to the main train station and then another 20 minutes to the destination, total travel time 40 minutes with 5 minutes to change trains. And how much does all this fun cost me?! A whopping €30.50, as the ticket was purchased on the train and I am currently on the ICE train for the one stop. I would have paid €18 at the ticket machine.

Changing trains went well. Just before getting off, a lady should ask again where exactly she really needs to get off. Otherwise, it happens that a lady gets off at Niederdorfelden station and thinks at the platform, 'Hmm, strange, there used to be only one platform here.' And while the train drives away, it dawns on her that she got off one stop too early. Well, it can happen to anyone. And thanks to Robin who was actually supposed to pick me up at Oberdorfelden station, I arrived at Adams' without a long wait.

The evening was nice with excitement of seeing each other again and a few short chats. Half an hour past midnight, I finally went to bed, before the alarm clock would ring in 5 hours.

I think that's enough for today. In the next blog, you will read more about the journey to India and an insane taxi ride.