I know I have started my blog late, so I can catch you up on some stories. First, the bad start to my trip.. It was the morning of the take-off to Finland, and I was anxious and overwhelmed at the time. My first time being away from home for an extended period of time longer than two weeks. Also, the first time traveling alone on a plane. So right when I get there after getting my tickets my parents and I notice that my flight has been delayed by 2 hours. I find out later it was because that the pilot got sick, so they had to fly one up from San Francisco.. Anyways, I only had 2 and half hours to originally to transfer planes in Chicago. Needless to say I had no faith I would make it time for that transfer, so I went up to the lady working at the desk if I had a chance to make it to my connecting flight? The Asian lady responded, "of course, of course. Just in case I make you a different itinerary." Now that I knew I had a backup plan I felt a little more comfortable if I didn't make it. When I looked at my ticket I grew depressed, mainly cause I had a layover of 8 and half hours in the Frankfurt airport. This gave me extra motivation to run to the next terminal and try and make my flight. As I land in Chicago, I had approximately 25 minutes to make it off the plane, through security, and across the airport to the international terminal. So as I leave out the door I'm booking it, while carrying my carry-on bag and having my backpack on. Really not knowing where I'm going, and just running I asked for directions. The man said that I need to go to the tram that is in the other direction I have been running to make it to my terminal. This discouraged me, but I still had 10 mins. I had faith in my speed and endurance, no matter if I was tired already. I find the tram, go up the stairs, wait for the tram, as I grow weary of how much time I had left (5 mins). Tram arrives I hop on, wait, and wait, and now I'm at the right terminal. Not much of a line for security, I kick off my shoes, take out my laptop, hope for a plane delay. I get through security, gather all of my things, and start booking it again. As I arrive to the terminal, it was empty, and my heart sunk. Not only cause I missed my flight, I was tired and sweaty, know I have a lay-over of 8 and a half hours in Frankfurt, and I had to pee. I just sat there in defeat for 10 mins, mostly to gather my breath. For me, then was to find my next terminal, and play the waiting game. I had about 2 hours before this next flight, so I just went right away to it. I have to take the tram again because it ends up being right next to the terminal I originally flew into to. So I have to go through security, and there is a massive line. Get to the security lady show her my ticket, and she said "oh this is only a reservation for the ticket. You need to go to the front desk and have them print you one out." Just effing great! I officially hated my time, so far traveling at this point. Although, the security lady did say I could just come back to her once I recieved my ticket and skip the line. So it was another 20 mins waiting in lin to get the ticket, and I notice this guy who is behind, has been following the whole time. We make conversation, and apparently he is in the same boat as I am. He is trying to get to Estonia to meet his friends. So I meet Ryan, my new travel buddy. I get up to the lady and she looks like she is not having a good day, of course this is what I need. She has trouble getting my ticket, and starts talking to the computer screen. She keeps getting asked questions to the guy to her left about the system, so she is extra irritated. Then under her breath she says, "this is going to be close". I was like, "excuse me, umm, what is going to be close?" "Well this flight is almost full, and the system is acting up, I might not be able too book i...t....Oh there we go!" Finally I get my ticket, after it seemed I was going to be spending the night in Chicago. I get my ticket, and so does my buddy, we go through security (cut the line), and get to our terminal. This flight was fine, nothing bad happen, thankgoodness. Get off the plane I meet up with Ryan, we decided since we both have a long lay-over we should go into town and have lunch. But first thing first, we should go get our tickets. Of course we have no clue where to go, so we ask some man. He tries in his best English to tell us where we would specifically pick up our tickets, and to our dismay he lead us right to appropriate area. We go to the front desk and get our tickets, and then my tutor calls. My tutor was assigned to me by the university of Tampere to help me get aquainted with the town. He was also going to pick me up from the bus station. He calls because I was suppose to be flying into Tampere at that time, and so I had to tell him that actually, uhh, I won't be coming in until 1 am. He was perplexed but he said he would pick me up from the airport at 1 am, this was the best news I got the whole travel time. Anyways, Ryan and I make into to town after a lot of directions from the local Germans. We looked around and had some lunch and a beer. It was pretty nice, had a brautwurst and sauerkraut. Made back with plenty of time back to my terminal, Ryan and I unfortunately had to split up. His flight left earlier than mine did, so when he left I just tried to sleep. It was terrible to say the least. I flew into Stockholm at like 11pm, everything looks closed. Make it downstairs and there are only two airline front desks open. I choose the right one and get my ticket. Go back upsatirs through security and wait 2 more hours. I forgot to say, I received first class tickets from Frankfurt to Stockholm , and from Stcokholm to Tampere. That was nice, but once I got to Tampere I tried to forget about my travels to get there. My tutor was there, and had my keys to my room. I was thankful for that. Took a shower and then slept for 13 hours, while my dorm was having a party..
Now I can onlyhope, nothing comes close to this on the way back to the States. But it was a nice experience going into Frankfurt unexpectedly. What a way to dive into Europe, but this is not the only story. I will post more stories when I feel up to it. Neeedless to say I'm happy and enjoying every single minute I am here.
Moy Moy (Finnish for goodbye)
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