Prologue: the journey

As always - the journey is crap. "Sit back and enjoy the flight" was invented by business class customers. In economy class, it's sarcasm. Crammed in for 11 hours with a potentially unpleasant neighbor, it can quickly become a nightmare.

I'm lucky. Despite being delayed by two hours because the airline couldn't get cleaning staff to come and clean the plane in time, I have a seat with no neighbors. That makes things a lot easier. You just have to hang on. You're compensated by the many views when the weather is nice.

And again I'm lucky. And again unlucky. The announcement that we're flying on the most modern aircraft is a nice slogan - but you can't use the Internet. According to the steward, this often doesn't work with the new planes. Great. So I don't find out that my VfB has overtaken Bayern, or that the flood is finally receding. And my Bluetooth headphones don't connect to the system. That happens often too. You just have to press a button in the settings and it will work - he can't tell me which one. Then I'll just use the iPad.

At some point you actually arrive and queue for immigration. That can take a while. I filled out an app beforehand and was supposed to contact the relevant official. If only I knew who he was. After waiting for 10 minutes, I approached an older man and he said, why didn't you register earlier? Comedian, there was no one there.

He actually lets me go first, and I feel guilty because I overtake about 50 people. But you're your own best friend here. Immigration really doesn't take two minutes. I've never experienced anything like it before. Maybe I'm just more trustworthy with the app. And so, despite being two hours late, I get to my rental car surprisingly early.

I booked Alamo late and paid a lot of money, and cancelled my previous order with Dollar because I didn't trust them anymore. Too many bad reviews. I decided on a pickup truck because it was cheaper. Very unusual, they are usually more expensive than the SUVs I usually take. He offered me an upgrade, but I didn't want it. It still costs more money.

I then pick up the car two floors down and a nice Navajo woman tells me to take any one from the row. I'm a bit speechless. Does it matter which one? Yes. There are a few RAMs there that would probably be an upgrade. I give her one last chance because I didn't pay for an upgrade. I ask her which one she would take. She points to a white RAM. An absolute ship of a vehicle. I take it. You shouldn't argue. I ask her how many people live with her in her community. She says 300. That's a lot for Navajos, she says.

After 5 minutes of inspection and the certainty that I actually need a stepladder to get into the car, I set off. In the pitch black of night. Apple Car Play works and I arrive at my motel 90 minutes later.

The owner is still awake, thank God, and after 5 minutes I have my room, which is only equipped with the standard equipment, but is clean. There is a shop opposite and I stock up on beer, coke and a breakfast burrito. Of course, I have to show my ID for the beer as I am 61 years old. USA, after all. The saleswoman looks at my ID. From Germany? Yes. On business? No, on vacation. She stares at me in disbelief. In Globe? She can't believe it - it has to be the worst shithole.

I assure her that I'm just passing through and will spend the night there first. And I definitely don't plan on spending any more time here. That calms her down.

After a very long day and 3 beers of beauty drink, I fall asleep and wake up at 4:30. For jet lag, that's almost enough sleep.