In the sky over North America. Getting here was tough

SOMEWHERE OVER NORTH AMERICA

Lee Heidhues 12.3.2023

We are finally on our way to San Francisco after a generally disastrous trip to Berlin and Frankfurt.

An event of kindness salvaged the final hours in 🇩🇪 Germany when we finally boarded United flight 59. When we reached our seats a kind young Italian woman offered Liz her seat in the upscale Premier Plus section. Giving her more space to rest her injured Achilles tendon.

This fortuitous event was something we needed.

Our now concluded Germany experience was made incredibly difficult by the Achilles tendon injury Liz suffered on the Deutsche Bahn. Liz heavy luggage and the lack of proper egress was the proximate cause.

Coming atop the virus we both contracted in Berlin, Liz injury was the brutal punctuation mark.

The  bad situation was made only worse during our trip to the Frankfurt airport earlier today.

An unconscionable lack of service by our taxi driver. He dropped us off at the wrong terminal. Over a mile from the United terminal.  Liz was forced to walk and take a shuttle. Further exacerbating her injury.

We finally reached the United Airlines check in desk. And were assisted by a very kind agent. Who told us her own story of tearing her Achilles tendon while hiking in Switzerland.

We finally reached our gate after going through German Customs, airport security and taking a long walk. Liz in pain every step of the way.

Regrettably, our problems and Liz suffering continued. The actual boarding of our flight was an absurdity. Rather than walk directly into the plane Liz was forced to walk down a steep flight of stairs. Assisted by a kind Mexican national who told us his own travel horror stories.

We were then packed into yet another shuttle and driven to our plane. There was a huge crowd.  Fortunately a German cop took notice of Liz’ plight. He cleared the stairway and walked Liz into the plane.

And her fortuitous encounter with the kind Italian.

The plane, totally packed, left 90 minutes late.

We are now closing in on the destination.

San Francisco International Airport.