Arrival

 I'm pretty sure the photo below was taken AS we arrived in Frankfurt. Perhaps someone will correct me on that. Don't think everyone would have been smiling so much if we were headed back home. 

Since it was 1982, it wasn't unusual to be a sixteen year old on his first commercial flight. A couple of years prior, I had flown on one of those lake planes that used to fly from resort area to resort area looking for those who wanted to fly above the lakes and trees for a few minutes. This time we got on a 747 bound for Amsterdam, operated by KLM. Perhaps it was the tail end of the 'golden age' of air travel, but I remember being somewhat miserable. I couldn't sleep on the plane and I still have a lot of trouble doing so. I don't recall the details, but I remember referring to the transport as a "slave ship" in my journal. That was certainly NOT woke and it was a terrible comparison. Are teens prone to exaggeration?

After a short stop in Amsterdam, we flew to Frankfurt. I really don't recall much from the arrival, although I know we took a train from Frankfurt to Mainz. It was then that Peter and I tried desperately to cancel our tickets in an ashtray. Goofy Americans, indeed!

Seated (left to right): Kathy Lewis, Diana Fleming Mackesey, Barb Washa

Standing (left to right): Mike Niemann, Ann Buller, Brian H., Chris Bradle

Pretty sure that was also my first journey on a proper train. Trains in Germany blew my mind. It's such a superior way to travel vs. cars. More comfortable, faster, and far less stressful. They were my first indication that life could be much different and potentially better in the U.S. I had no idea at the time the discoveries I would make about German bread.