By I’m not entirely sure if it’s because I’ve gotten older, because we travel internationally a lot less these days, or because I’ve gotten a little too comfortable in the suburbs. Whatever it was, the mere thought of planning our trip to Munich sent me into an anxious frenzy. I did try to give myself a little grace. Two weeks before the trip, I’d given my two weeks notice at an incredibly stressful, toxic job. Also, what is it about me quitting a job and immediately jumping back into a life of adventure?! Apparently, this is what I do every time I remember life is too short to be mundane. But I digress.
As we approached Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the usual pre vacation jitters kicked in. I tried to quiet my mind while mentally checking off my list. Passport, ID, credit cards… Wait, I don’t have the physical cards. Germany takes tap, right? Then I went back to googling, for what felt like the hundredth time, the best way to get from the airport to downtown Munich. Should I buy the tickets online or wait until we got there? Was the drop off point really within walking distance of our hotel? I shuddered at the thought of the tourist walk of shame, dragging my heavy luggage over European cobblestones and looking exactly like someone who’d spent 24 hours traveling and barely slept in a tiny economy seat.
But once we’d taken the parking shuttle, made it through a surprisingly quick TSA PreCheck line, and confirmed that our gate did, in fact, exist, I finally let out a deep breath. Hey, we made it. Just get on the plane and the rest will work itself out.
Until it didn’t.
Our phones buzzed in our pockets. When we pulled them out, the message read, “Due to the delay on UA334 from Austin (AUS) to Houston (IAH), you may miss your connecting flight…” Then the United app chimed in, prompting us to find another way to Munich. The app gave us exactly one option. We could fly from Austin to Denver three hours later, but we’d still have a tight connection. We only had an hour to connect in Houston, and now I couldn’t help thinking, what if the Denver flight is delayed, too? Then we’ll have to wait until tomorrow.
By the time we reached the airline counter, our phones buzzed again. We’d been rebooked on the 5:04 p.m. flight from Austin to Chicago. I breathed a sigh of relief, but I still wanted to know if we had confirmed seats all the way to Munich. The agent gave us two options. Denver left an hour earlier and came with an Economy Plus upgrade, but we’d have just one hour to connect. Chicago gave us two hours, though we’d have to confirm our seats with Lufthansa. Clay voted for more legroom. I voted for more time. We bickered a little, probably not the first married couple to disagree at a United Counter, and when the agent agreed that an hour in Denver was cutting it close, I made the executive decision. Chicago it was.
In Chicago, we found our gate and confirmed our seats. We could finally relax. Or so I thought. When boarding started, my mom went to the restroom to change. I saw a small group lining up and figured we had plenty of time, so when she got back, I took my turn. I was walking back to our bags when I heard, “Last call for Munich.” Last call?! “You guys! That’s us!” I grabbed my bags and made a beeline for the gate, assuming my family was somewhere behind me. The agent checked our passports and waved us through. As I walked down the jet bridge, I heard the door shut behind us. After all that debate over how much time we needed in Chicago, we still managed to be the last people on the plane.
By the time the plane started to taxi, tears were streaming down my face. I couldn’t tell if I was angry, anxious, or just tired of feeling like I always had to be the one paying attention. Could I spend this trip enjoying myself without keeping track of everyone and everything? Could someone else take charge for a bit?
And then, of course, I started thinking about how we’d get to the hotel, whether we’d find an ATM that didn’t charge ridiculous fees, and the tours I still hadn’t booked. I switched my phone to airplane mode. “That’s a problem for nine hours from now.”
We’d made it onto the plane. We’d still get to Munich in time to check in and get some rest. For the next nine hours, that was enough. And when we landed, someone else could figure out how to get us to the hotel.
P.S. If you’re planning a Munich trip, too
Remember those tours I still hadn’t booked? I’m putting my Munich shortlist here in case you’re also trying to figure out what to do once you’ve actually made it to Germany.
If you end up booking one, you can download the GetYourGuide app through my link and enter THEVALIANTLIFE5 at checkout for 5% off.
** Quick disclosure: I earn $2 when you install the GetYourGuide app through my link and an 8% commission when you book in the app using my code: THEVALIANTLIFE5
