It was not a scene from bridesmaids

It took my over 13 hours to make it to Germany. It started with my first flight out of Detroit. I was more then a little nervous to say the least. Once I found my gate I sat down and immediately took a xanex. So far I had not heard of any delays so a little bit would help calm my nerves and take the edge off. Everything went smooth and they started to board. The international flights take so long to board and I was literally the last person on. I found my seat which was in the very back, like the last seat. I sat next to a really nice man, we got lucky because the seat that was between us was empty so we put all of our extra stuff in the seat and I stole the extra blanket. I made myself comfortable and took the other half of my Xanex. I was still freaked out. All I could think is how the hell is this massive thing going to get off the ground. Well it did and it was loud and I was grabbing the arm rests like it was my job.

Once we got in the air they started to give out drinks and a snack. I saw the bar cart coming and took full advantage. The lady made me a very strong drink, heavy on the vodka light on the tonic. I pretty much took it down in three sips. At this point I knew things were going one of two ways. I was going to be super relxaed and not so freaked out or it was going to be like a scene from bridesmaids. Thankfully things were in my favor for once. I was super relaxed and did not have a care in the world. Everyone had their own personal tv screen in the head rest in front of them so I picked out the movie "The lucky one." Half way into the movie they started serving dinner. All of the sudden the flight attendant comes running to the back, whips behind the satiation behind our seats, jumps up on the seats where people are sitting, all in a skirt! She then opens the over-head compartment and grabs a silver suitcase that is locked in. I was like "oh shit." She runs back to the front and there lays a man getting CPR. We were almost out of Canada and I knew if he didn't make it we would have to turn around or make an emergency landing. 

Well the old man became stable and we just kept going. Only on the flight I was on would that have happened. After that I figured a glass of wine was almost necessary so I had one with my dinner. The rest of the flight was pretty much a blur. I laid there semi drunk and in a daze. I watched in total 3 moveis, an episode of 30 Rock, and a sort film on Frankfurt Airport. Once we landed I went straight 

to customs and back to security again. Once it was my turn I put all my stuff in the bins, walked in the wired mechine that checks you, and waited for my belongins. I started to grab everything and noticed my pillow was gone. I looked all around and stuck my head in the scanner. "Excuse me sir my pillow didn't come out." He held it up and asked if it was the one in his hand. "Yes thats mine thank you!" He then says you have to come with me. He asked me my name and for my passport. "Is there a problem," I asked. "Yes we have to check for explosives." Seriously dude? If I wanted to bring a pillow bomb I would have been a little more subtle about the color choice of my pillow case. I would have went with tope not bright pink. Once they cleared my pillow I was back on my way.

That airport was like a maze! My terminal hate 38 gates alone. I had an hour and a half till my next flight. I wanted to get a hold of Greg and tell him I made it ok and would be there on time. I tried to conncect to the wifi, no luck. Ill just try and text him, no service what so ever. This man next to me saw that I was struggling and told me he has 10 minutes till his flight was going to leave but I could use his hotspot service till he had to go. I connected as fast as I could and got a hold of Greg after a few minutes. I told him how I was having trouble and how this nice man helped me out. We both got very excited it was only a few hours till I would be there!

After we were done and I could finally relax I could feel how tired I really was. It was 11am in Frankfurt that would make it 5am at home and I still hadn't slept. I set an alarm on my phone so I could take a nap for 30 minutes. I am one of those people who checks the alarm 3 times before I sleep in fear that I set it wrong. That still was not enough so I got up and asked these two young guys if they would make sure I was awake once they started boarding. They laughed but said they would as long as I didn't wake up angry. I went and laid down and as soon as I closed my eyes I was out. What felt like five minutes later my alarm went off. I woke up in a panic. Where am I? HOLY CRAP I'm in an airport in Germany!!! The guys turned there heads and saw how confused I was and laughed some more. Imagine when you stay in a hotel or somewhere out of the ordinary and you wake up really confused. Times that by 50 and you get what I had. 

Shortly after I woke up they boarded and we were on our way. The Flight was very short only 30 minutes from take off to landing. The best part is they gave everyone a bar of chocolate. Not some crappy bag of crackers or something no one wants but a candy bar! If you know me you know I love sweets and this made me very happy.

Once we landed I got off as fast as I could and went and waited for my bags. Of course my bags took forever to come out and I had two of them. As soon as I had both of them I was off to find Greg. He had told me not to go out the doors you would think your supposed to go out. But to find the side sliding doors that will lead you out to where people can wait. I found the doors which lead to more doors and then out into the open. I looked around and Greg was dead center he waved his hands and I wheeled my two huge bags pillow and carry on over to him. We hugged and kissed and it was like seeing him for the first time. I was so happy and excited that I had butterflies all over and my hands tingled. He took all my bags and handed my a cappicino from Starbucks and a pretzel with cream cheese and green onions. What I cute boyfriend I have. He knew I would be tired and hungry and tried to make me feel better.

We got in the car and headed home. It took about an hour to get to the town we live in. Greg brought my bags in for me and showed me around the apartment. I sat down for a while to relax. Put a few things away and then got into the shower and got ready. We hoped in the car and he drove me around showing me where the rink was and all the little places around town. We parked the car and walked around the downtown area. Its so beautiful unlike anything you see in America. The downtown has cobble stone streets and all these little restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy your surroundings. All I kept thinking was this is where we get to live for the next 8 months this is amazing and Greg and I are so lucky to experience this. I was more then happy.

We sat down at this little Italian place that Greg like. He spoke his best German and ordered dinner for us, complete with my first real German beer. The dinner was amazing and I was mildly buzzed...again. At this point I was riding on fumes. My body was dying for sleep and I most likely looked like I had been hit by a bus but it was only 6:30 and I could not go to sleep yet. So I sucked it up and stayed awake. If it was not for working at a bar I never would have been able to do this. So Wayside, thank you. (You will never hear that again)

Greg could tell I was growing even more tired so we got out of the house and went down to meet some of his friends. We had a glass of wine and hung out for a few hours. We went back home around 9pm and I got ready for bed and laid down. I would say 2 minutes after laying down I was out cold. I had stayed up over 24 hours and had the most amazing day(s) of my life.

I have now been here for a week and still can't believe that this is all real.

Except for the sauna experience but that is another story.....