This was the day we were traveling to Berlin. The plans were perfect, but they fell to pieces when put into action. Not through anyone's fault, but because of the flooding in the area and the fact that trains were being stopped and cancelled.
We left Otzenhausen in the morning and got on a train to go to Frankfurt. But the train ended up stopping prematurely as the tracks ahead were flooded, and we were to be shuttled to another station by bus.
We left Otzenhausen in the morning and got on a train to go to Frankfurt. But the train ended up stopping prematurely as the tracks ahead were flooded, and we were to be shuttled to another station by bus.
We didn't make the first bus, and the more we waited for another bus the more it looked like that bus was never coming. Finally the second bus arrived - we pushed and shoved to get on the bus, loading heavy suitcases on the bus and practically climbing over people. Yet despite our efforts, as the doors closed and we began to pull away, we saw part of our group staring sadly from the other side of the closed doors. I'd say we left about five people. It was a sad time.
Anyways, we got to the train station and sat on our luggage for a bit while we waited for the others to catch up. We discovered there was an ice-cream place right next to the station, so we all got to buy some ice-cream. Professor Kronenberg said it was a survival of the fittest situation - we fought for a place in the bus so we got to have ice-cream while the other group was who knows where. The ice-cream was delicious and well-deserved.
Finally the others arrived. We got on a train and some time later arrived in Frankfurt. Then we had to transfer to a metro line to get to our hotel. The professors handed out metro passes out - it was just a flimsy paper ticket but we had to keep track of it for the entire week.
Anyways, we got to the train station and sat on our luggage for a bit while we waited for the others to catch up. We discovered there was an ice-cream place right next to the station, so we all got to buy some ice-cream. Professor Kronenberg said it was a survival of the fittest situation - we fought for a place in the bus so we got to have ice-cream while the other group was who knows where. The ice-cream was delicious and well-deserved.
Finally the others arrived. We got on a train and some time later arrived in Frankfurt. Then we had to transfer to a metro line to get to our hotel. The professors handed out metro passes out - it was just a flimsy paper ticket but we had to keep track of it for the entire week.
We never had to use them to get through turnstiles, which was weird for me because I'm used to turnstiles. You could just hop on and off the German metro without a ticket. The only reason to have a ticket is just in case a conductor comes up and asks to check it. The entire week we were there, my ticket was only checked once. That was a weird cultural thing for me. I liked it though, it was less hassle.
Anyways, we finally got to a metro station called Savigny Platz. Then we had to walk a LONG distance to our hotel, all of us lugging bags and suitcases. The group split into two, a faster and slower one. I was part of the faster group, but we weren't fast enough. As if there was no way to make our trip any worse than it already was, a storm rolled in right as we were walking. Those of us in front tried running to make it to the hotel, but it was farther than we thought. I gave up running at some point, resigned to the fact that I was just going to be soaked. The hotel staff looked like they pitied us so much when we finally walked in, shoes squelching and dripping water all over the floor.
Then came the roommate situation. I had a bit of a problem with it - I assumed w would be with our roommates from Otzenhausen, and I was happy with the roommate situation I already had. In the future, I think people should keep the roommates they had, and only switch if they request a change in roommates.
Also, the internet at that hotel was horrible! But that horrible wi-fi connection had an upside. Just speaking for myself, that kind of motivated me to go out and explore Berlin more. Also, I got really good at finding wi-fi in town.
Anyways, we finally got to a metro station called Savigny Platz. Then we had to walk a LONG distance to our hotel, all of us lugging bags and suitcases. The group split into two, a faster and slower one. I was part of the faster group, but we weren't fast enough. As if there was no way to make our trip any worse than it already was, a storm rolled in right as we were walking. Those of us in front tried running to make it to the hotel, but it was farther than we thought. I gave up running at some point, resigned to the fact that I was just going to be soaked. The hotel staff looked like they pitied us so much when we finally walked in, shoes squelching and dripping water all over the floor.
Then came the roommate situation. I had a bit of a problem with it - I assumed w would be with our roommates from Otzenhausen, and I was happy with the roommate situation I already had. In the future, I think people should keep the roommates they had, and only switch if they request a change in roommates.
Also, the internet at that hotel was horrible! But that horrible wi-fi connection had an upside. Just speaking for myself, that kind of motivated me to go out and explore Berlin more. Also, I got really good at finding wi-fi in town.