Landing in Germany (Finally!)
#2 [6:00 am]: Arrival at Frankfurt Flughafen. We first try to find the Iceland baggage counter--we eventually track it down about 40 minutes later. Frankfurt is a decent-sized airport, and is currently under construction. She is very sorry about our problem, and mentions "that is a very bad way to do that". She cannot find our bags in the system, and lets us know that the last airline that you board is responsible for your baggage. We head then to the United counter, who sends us to Lufthansa's baggage desk, which handles the lost baggage for about 15 airlines. The lady is very kind, puts in our claim, and hands us each a courtesy overnight pack.
I've got this to say about the Germans. They are efficient, and very nice. They sometimes neglect to tell you all the information, but I think that derives from an actual service-minded mentality: they have a specialist for everything, and it is that person's job to take care of it. Also, most Germans speak English pretty well--they all take it in school, and it is the preferred universal language on signs and announcements throughout Europe. Lucky for English speakers. My German has improved a bit, buit since so many people speak English to you, I am getting less practice than I had wanted.
We pick up the car, after getting major attitude from the (American?) Avis agent--she's really smarmy. They were supposed to give us a VW hatchback, but she's got us down for a SmartCar. That would've been fine if we were staying local, but not for the long-distance travelling we've got planned on the Autobahns. Too flimsy. So we upgrade to a slick little Fiat hatchback.
Realearning how to drive a stickshift on the fastest highways in Europe--brilliant idea, G.
OK, driving in Deutschland. This is the right way to do it, and my German roots come out in force on the road. Sorry Americans, it's not about the speed--that's never been my style. It's about order. They go really fast in the left lane, medium in the middle lane (although you are not supposed to cruise in the middle for long periods--you should get over to the right when you can), and slower traffic stays in the right. Now, I know what you're thinking: "that's the way it is in the States, what's the big deal?" Here's the deal. American expressway=chaos. People passing on the right, jerks, etc. Here, everybody knows and respects the rules, and for the most part, everything runs like a big clock. Only a time or two, on a two-lane section, did we have to make a quick brake, as someone cruising in the right lane had to pass a slow-moving truck.
I think I did very well on the roads, and we only got lost once, as we came into Köln. Left lane drivers will blow past you at incredible speeds, so if you have to pass, you really have to look and judge wheter or not someone will rear-end you at 150 kph. Yahoo Maps served us pretty well. However, they put the distances in miles, which might make it good for Americans that have trouble judging the actual length of a Kilometer, but the signs are all in Kilometers, so having to make a switch in your mind seems an unnecessary step.
Next time: friends and family
I've got this to say about the Germans. They are efficient, and very nice. They sometimes neglect to tell you all the information, but I think that derives from an actual service-minded mentality: they have a specialist for everything, and it is that person's job to take care of it. Also, most Germans speak English pretty well--they all take it in school, and it is the preferred universal language on signs and announcements throughout Europe. Lucky for English speakers. My German has improved a bit, buit since so many people speak English to you, I am getting less practice than I had wanted.
We pick up the car, after getting major attitude from the (American?) Avis agent--she's really smarmy. They were supposed to give us a VW hatchback, but she's got us down for a SmartCar. That would've been fine if we were staying local, but not for the long-distance travelling we've got planned on the Autobahns. Too flimsy. So we upgrade to a slick little Fiat hatchback.
Realearning how to drive a stickshift on the fastest highways in Europe--brilliant idea, G.OK, driving in Deutschland. This is the right way to do it, and my German roots come out in force on the road. Sorry Americans, it's not about the speed--that's never been my style. It's about order. They go really fast in the left lane, medium in the middle lane (although you are not supposed to cruise in the middle for long periods--you should get over to the right when you can), and slower traffic stays in the right. Now, I know what you're thinking: "that's the way it is in the States, what's the big deal?" Here's the deal. American expressway=chaos. People passing on the right, jerks, etc. Here, everybody knows and respects the rules, and for the most part, everything runs like a big clock. Only a time or two, on a two-lane section, did we have to make a quick brake, as someone cruising in the right lane had to pass a slow-moving truck.
I think I did very well on the roads, and we only got lost once, as we came into Köln. Left lane drivers will blow past you at incredible speeds, so if you have to pass, you really have to look and judge wheter or not someone will rear-end you at 150 kph. Yahoo Maps served us pretty well. However, they put the distances in miles, which might make it good for Americans that have trouble judging the actual length of a Kilometer, but the signs are all in Kilometers, so having to make a switch in your mind seems an unnecessary step.
Next time: friends and family
Labels: driving in Germany
