What should have been a 19 hour trip including a layover in Portland turned into a trip lasting more than 24 hours. While north of Iceland a new destination showed up on the moving map display; instead of Amsterdam the target circle was around Frankfurt, Germany. About 20 minutes later the captain came on the intercom and informed us that due to ash from the Icelandic volcano we would have to land in Frankfurt as the airport in Amsterdam was closed.
In Frankfurt there was a left package, a huge crowd of people trying to get re-routed to Amsterdam, a huge crowd at the Delta desk, and the four of us (Alex, Travis, Lex, and myself) just wanting to get in that evening. Train or car? Train was 130 Euros each 2nd class, car was 250 Euros total. Made sense.
The car was barely large enough for 4 people and their luggage, not to mention that at only 1.5 liters we would not be able to use the Autobahn as it is intended. No matter. With Alex and Travis switching off we made it in 5 hours, counting a quick lunch break in Köln.
Finally to the hotel at 1630; checked in and went looking for dinner. Indonesian, very good, but I forgot about tipping rules in Europe and gave the guy quite a large tip; he was very happy, though!
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