At 5 a.m. the alarm clock went on. After a last, delicious German breakfast we hit the road. With two cars we went to Munich airport. The ride went without problems, no obstructions, so we arrived at 9 a.m. at the airport parking lot. With the rapid-transit we went to terminal 2 where we checked in ourselves and our luggage. None of the suitcases has been too heavy…
Then we still had a little time to kill, had some food and something to drink, and while taking a walk Oliver Kahn crossed our way. Finally the time had come – we went through security to our departure gate. There we hadn’t to wait for a long time anymore to enter the Boeing 767 which should bring us to Philadelphia with flight number US 707.
The flight was easy and perfect, the meals were rich and – for circumstances at a plane – appetizing. And Jennifer enjoyed her first flight! Starting and landing she “survived” without any signs of nausea or fear, and during the flight she enjoyed the view from above again and again.
We arrived at 3:40 p.m. local time what was 15 minutes ahead of schedule in Philadelphia. There we went through immigration, again without incidents – we all were looking fair-minded enough. Afterwards we had to pick up our luggage, take it through the customs and register it again. Then through security again where we had a little delay this time, caused by a crown cap in pocket of a shirt… But also this was endured finally and we went to the departure gate where we had to wait for about 45 minutes before we could enter the Airbus A321 which would bring us to Phoenix with flight number US 251. Wow, as the stewardess told us a brand new plane – and one could see it. This time the meals had to be paid for, but at least the beverages were free. Jennifer slept away nearly the whole flight – after all we were on tour for many hours already. But this pilot also had some mercy with us and went a little faster, so we arrived about 30 minutes earlier around 8 p.m. local time in Phoenix – in Germany it was already 4 a.m. the next morning… We were welcomed with 31°C…
Yet to pick up our luggage and the rental car what again took some time. Only the way from the terminal to the rental car pick up lasted about 15 minutes – using the bus shuttle… Then we finally got our van, a Toyota Sienna, 8 seats and enough room all around. Put in the suitcases, enter the car, and connect Kate (yes, our navigation system has a name) – who immediately asked if it should change to the map of Northern America because the GPS position not suited the currently loaded map... Well, also navigation software can be clever. Now quickly enter our destination, the Travelodge in Mesa, and after 22 kilometers and about 20 minutes we reached the motel. Keeping the eyes opened was not that easy anymore, but we all arrived safe and could now have a good night’s rest.
