Flight

Everything started on Friday, September 23, the longest day of my life = 33 hours due to the 9h time shift between Central Europe and the Pacific. First, I flew from Hamburg to New York which took 9 hours. Luckily I had a seat at the window so that I was able to enjoy the view on the East and West Frisian Islands before clouds covered UK. While the flight to Chicago last year crossed Greenland, this time I only had a glance on its southern tip, but at least I could see snow-covered rocks at the horizon. Most of Canada as well as New York were hidden in the clouds.

We arrived with a delay of 45min so that I missed my connection flight to San Francisco :( The immigration officer did not only take fingerprints of all my fingers of both hands, but he also wanted to know all details about the purpose of my stay, including how many hours per week the exchange program would comprise. After I had told him that I would be a visiting student without any fixed courses, he stoppped being so strict, but made jokes instead and told me I should not run my heart out while trying to catch the connection flight which was about to leave in 25min. Amazing to realize that small talks are even common during the passport control at the airport.
2.5 h later, the next flight left. I did not see much during that 7h flight, but still the Rocky Mountains! Then I arrived very tired at San Francisco where my friends Alissa and Peter picked me up. Good to meet old friends in the New World!