Getting there

Seeing the incredibly packed airport terminal made me dread our completely full flight from SFO to Madrid. When I finally made it to my row, I was pleased to see a very nice looking guy sitting in the middle seat between Julia and me. He just looked mildly amused and not put out as I struggled ungainly to stuff my bag under my seat (unsuccessfully since there was a bar blocking all but 6 inches of it) and pull on my knee high length travel compression socks- not an easy feat in the few inches between my seat and the old guy reclined in front of me. After I finally settled down we started to chat. I found out he was from Slovakia and had been here working as a specialty welder for Tesla. Good conversation, bad food and a random selection of movies on the ceiling drop monitors made the 10 and a half hours go quickly.

Frankfurt Airport is massive and industrial feeling. We wandered around for a long time through the gray concrete and eventually made it to customs and then to our new terminal and gate. We had a delightful conversation with a colorfully dressed senior backpacker from Austria and some other passengers from the plane. I guess I'm in a social mood because I can't remember when I have chatted up so many fellow passengers.

The next leg to Madrid began by a long bus ride around the tarmac at Frankfurt to a remote landing strip where our Lufthansa plane awaited us. I was seated next to two delightful young guys from Madrid returning from a few weeks in Canada.  The plane kind of swerved a bit back and forth on the runway before taking flight and then a few minutes later we had severe turbulence. People were shreiking, laughing, squealing and hanging on tight. Once the plane stabilizied, it sounded like a cocktail party was going on.  Everyone was was totally awake and giddy to be alive. I chatted most of the way with my new friends in my row and they gave me all kinds of good tips and info about Madrid and their contact info if I have any questions. Such a wonderful way to start my journey!