Tegel Airport in Berlin has no train line that meets it so it's a train ride then a bus for us. Oh my god... why is public transport in Europe so bloody hot?! No matter whether it's a bus, tram, or train, you'll cook. With our jackets and jumpers off, we arrive at the airport all sweaty and uncomfortable, right before a seven-hour flight. I'd love to help design a public transport system to make sure that all the different types of passengers and what their possible experiences are considered. Maybe they did think of it and didn't have enough money for air-conditioners? Whatever... I'm hot, sweaty, and cranky now.
I think a computer programmer must have designed this airport because each set of gates begins at 0 (zero)! Our gate is A4, which is the fifth gate along in the series that begins with gate A0. There are ladies at our check-in counters but they're not accepting any passengers. Time is ticking away but the queues are standing still. Actually, they're growing longer as more people join. Finally, each person is called in turn and now it's our turn. We lift our luggage onto the scales. Somehow, we have managed to lose weight in the suitcases so now they're about 17Kg and 16Kg. At least that leaves more room for shopping in the US. We continue through to security and although I have no metal on me, we get frisked by the security guards: female guard for Mum; handsome security for me. no complaints from me. However, I am a little concerned that it's beeping over my chest. To be precise, it is beeping over my nipples. Last time I checked, I had no piercings anywhere other than my left ear. Frisk complete, we're shoved along to put on our belts, shoes, phones, wallet, etc.
There isn't much after security. There is a shop with cigarettes, alcohol, and Toblerones, and a bar to buy drinks. If you ever fly out of this airport, make sure you take a crossword puzzle with you.
The flight is very easy and the food delicious. I must say that this chicken and leek dish with mashed potato is beyond anything I have eaten in the past. It is scrumptious! Followed by a pear compote with hazelnut mousse... I'm in heaven. Scoff, scoff.We arrive in New York with Customs card filled out and our Visa waiver form (ESTA) that we spent so long completing in Sydney airport. The Immigration officer accepts our passports but doesn't want to see our ESTA forms. We only need to keep them for our own sake. I'd love to say that makes sense. He asks us to scan our right-hand fingertips, then right thumb, then left hand, then left thumb, and then he stamps our passports and returns them. Awesome: another stamp! Considering there was no stamp in Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or Berlin, it's nice to see a tangible trace of where we've been.
It's an amazing feeling when your shuttle bus makes it over that last crest and New York's eastern skyline makes itself known. It is bold and unashamed and rightly so. Excitement and awe fill the bus. Group by group of passengers, we're dropped off at our locations. We're all around Times Square and there are people everywhere. It is Friday night so everyone is out. The traffic is busy and slow. We're the second last people on the bus to be dropped off and we're so glad because we're incredibly tired now.
The hotel is nice and the people are exceptionally friendly. They're not friendly in an 'I'll be nice to get a tip'-kind of way; they're genuinely friendly. The hotel is in a fantastic location and we each have a queen size bed with a modern fit-out. Best of all: wifi is included. The beds are turned down and we're off to sleep. We're here for six nights so we'll see how the service holds up.
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