January 5th and 6th
My flights today were straightforward; I am currently on the second leg. The journey began in Charleston, SC, with a layover in Atlanta, GA, before heading to Frankfurt. In Atlanta, Terminal E typically serves as the International Terminal. I choose to fly Delta because of my family's loyalty to the airline. Their partnership allowed me to travel in Delta One on the flight to Germany, granting me access to the Delta Sky Room. Notably, during the five-hour layover, I had the opportunity to converse with international travelers, engaging in conversations in German with a couple of nice families, and spoke with a couple of college kids heading to Spain.
The highlight of the flight thus far has been the exceptional service from the flight attendant. Constantly striving to perfect my German, I greeted her with a "hallo." She continued conversing with me in German, inquiring about my proficiency in both English and German. We talked in German throughout the seven-hour flight, we also spoke in some english, encompassing discussions on topics ranging from school to ordering meals. It was a gratifying experience to put my language skills to the test.
Here's a valuable tip for those flying to Germany with an American passport: although you are permitted a consecutive 180-day stay, some computer systems may flag flights past 90 days, prompting a request for a visa. For my destination, Mannheim, a visa isn't required as I will obtain a resident permit upon arrival. At check-in, I had to adjust my return flight to less than 90 days, only to change it back post-customs, as my stay will extend beyond 180 days. This adjustment nearly caused me to miss my first flight, as global partners had to be contacted to override the system.
As of 8:00 am, we are currently flying over London en route to Frankfurt. The total duration of the flight from Atlanta is approximately 8 hours and 25 minutes, with roughly an hour left.
Upon landing at 9:40 am, I waited about 30-minutes for my luggage. My older sister, currently pursuing a medical degree in Erlangen, picked me up, and we had the chance to catch up during the two-hour drive. Erlangen welcomed me with picturesque scenes, embodying the essence of an old German town.
Following a substantial nap, we explored the streets of Erlangen, visiting shops, pubs, and eateries. As per tradition for college students, we indulged in Döner and a Bier. Döner, akin to a gyro, stood out with its uniquely crafted bread that prevented any spillage of contents. My sister also enlightened me on the local beer-drinking custom, where one initiates a cheers by making direct eye contact with each person, emphasizing the tradition more than commonly observed in America.
