7.27.2008

Whoa... We're Half-Way There. Whooooaaaa... We're Living On A Prayer

Well maybe not a prayer, but definitely little sleep! We're broadcasting to you live from Frankfurt, Germany, where the current time here is 9:00 am.

We've made it through the two hardest parts of the trip: the drive from the hotel to the airport, and checking in. We are definitely a sight to see when we pull up to the curb. Picture this... two frantic adults whisking kids out of car seats and making them sit on the curb with their rolling backpacks, putting car seats into carrying cases, dragging out 8 large bags, coercing a Labrador Retriever into a kennel, chucking the stroller next to the kids, finding the rest of the carry-on luggage, and then inspecting every nook and cranny of the rental car to ensure that we did not leave anything behind.

Matt usually hail's a skycap with a large trolley to load all of the baggage and escort us inside, while I return the rental car and meet him in the terminal. By this point he's just getting in to the oversize baggage line, and after generously tipping the skycap for lifting over 500 pounds worth of luggage, we now have drawn the attention of almost everyone in the waiting area. Today was no exception.

The agent who checked us in was fantastic! Everything went smoothly, albeit slowly, though I honestly can't complain. I think that's what happens when you start doling out $10 and $20 bills like they're $1's. Best of all, our upgrades to business class went through and we only had to use half the miles we thought we needed. Score! After 45 minutes at the counter (including time to x-ray our bags and TSA to check Libby's crate), we were on our way through the security check point.

Here's where the problems began. We took the computer out of my bag, we took the DVD player out of Matt's, we all took our shoes off, Matt took off every item that could potentially bee, I folded the stroller, and we put everything we owned on the conveyor belt. We all walked through the x-ray machine, and surprisingly nobody beeped. (As a side note here, every time I walk through one I ALWAYS think of the classic movie, High Anxiety, when Mel Brooks walked through the metal detector while carrying a gun, and beeped, and caused such a stir that nobody knew what to make of it. Though I digress.)

What did happen however, was that my bag had to be searched because I brought a stick of deodorant and my $30 Kiehl's hair smoothing cream to help with the frizz. It's my end all be all of hair products, the one I will spend any amount of money on, and just can't live without. Apparently, my tube of Kiehl's was 4.2 oz and the limit I can carry on is 3.4 oz. I would either have to throw it out, check it in my bag, or go and buy these see through containers and split the cream into two separate tubes. I absolutely refused to let them throw it out. It's my only anti-frizz cream and I know I'm going to need it in India ASAP. I argued with them that the container was already see through, they could tell that I had used a good amount in it, and it was probably within the alloted limits already. No such luck. I wouldn't have been as irritated had they been consistent with their rules. See, I had packed 10 juice boxes in our carry-on baggage... 4 four-ounce juice boxes in Riley's backpack, 4 four-ounce juice boxes in Matt's, and 2 eight-ounce juice boxes in my purse! Did they even notice?

As I had a few extra minutes, I decided to go try to find these other containers and re-distribute my hair cream. I sent Matt and the girls on their way, and back through the terminal I went. I looked and looked but couldn't find where these mystery containers were. I was losing time and I was frustrated. Without incriminating myself, let's just say that in the end, my hair cream and I did not part.

I met up with Matt and the girls at our gate, with ten minutes to spare before boarding. We made brief phone calls to our parents to say good-byes, and while talking with my brother my phone ran out of minutes. It was a sign!

The plane we took to Frankfurt was a new configuration. It was a 747- though half the seats in business class were backwards, as if you were riding on a train. Matt said the feeling while taking off was odd, and Sheridan even asked if we were landing. The seats recline a complete 180 degrees, and they also had a selection of five On Demand kids movies, which was great, except when it came time to sleep! My only disappointment with the flight is that there were no children's meals to be had, regardless of my request and confirmation. Argh...

We're now in McDonald's, sitting, waiting, and relaxing. The next part of the story will eventually be continued... Wishing you a Happy Sunday from Germany. Auf Wiedersehen.


27 comments:

The Mom Jen said...

WOW! I'm exhausted reading that!! Your daughters seem to be such troopers...I couldn't do that alone let alone with 3 kids in tow.

Continued safe travels...I'm so happy I found you and your blog!

G in Berlin said...

Wow, that sounds even worse than our trip home from Disney- although we had as much stuff, lacking the dog was better! But i envy you the business upgrades!

Jen said...

What a trip so far. I hope the rest goes better.

Tenakim said...

Always amazing and exhausting- we're all in awe! Congrats on keeping your hair creme- I would have lost it so many times- again- you're a better woman that I - be safe and hear from you when you settle!

Suzanne said...

Happy Sunday to you and your family. That's a real dog and pony show you've got there - including a REAL DOG!!!

I am laughing my butt off thinking about you being.... not a drug mule.... but an expensive hair smoothing cream mule!! The feds will get you for sure.

I am amazed at the resiliency and flexibility of your family. I guess it's a requirement for the type of lifestyle that is dictated by your husband's work.

Safe passage to the Perlman's.

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Mom24 said...

The worst part of the trip is ALWAYS getting through security. Inevitably, once I'm through, I always discover something I shouldn't have brought. If that's what's going to bring a plane down, we're in BIG trouble. I totally don't understand letting juice boxes through, and not hair gel. I completely understand, BTW, I have curly hair too, and there's no way you can go without. It's just not a viable option. Good luck on the rest of the journey.

mary s. said...

You guys are like the SuperFamily! I continue to be in awe of you guys...especially you, since I know you're the glue!

Unknown said...

The story of the hair cream is funny. You just never know what they'll let go and what they won't.

I hope the rest of your trip is easy!

Robin said...

Those kinds of arbitrary rules make me absolutely crazy. The Austrians confiscated a Swiss Card of mine last fall "because the Israelis wouldn't like it" - after I'd already flown in and out of Israel with it for over 6 straight years! So long, in the garbage. Oh, and the kicker? It had been an in-flight promotion from Swissair years ago.

How great that you got the upgrades, that makes ALL the difference on a long haul flight. Since I no longer travel for work and my husband doesn't very often we never have the miles any more. I still fantasize about the good old days...

Stephanie Smith said...

So I had to chuckle when I read about the hair creme as I remember the days of you standing in our shared sorority bathroom with the diffuser stuck to your scalp for 1/2 an hour, trying to get your hair to calm down. I am now all over hunting down "Kiehl's Hair Smoothing Cream" as I too have the frizzies and trust your beauty secrets! Thank for sharing love bug! Happy arrival! xoxo

Simple Answer said...

Sooooo excited for you! Everyone knows any amount of trouble for a hair creme was well worth it! I'd rather look good than feel good!

Tara R. said...

Seriously, I feel like a need a nap. *whew* Good luck with the remainder of your trip.

Eve Grey said...

Yippee!! the hard part is over!
(Damn them & their silly hair cream rules).

Cynthia said...

Seriously...I don't know how you do it. Good luck to you, I'll be reading:)

Kelly said...

Glad to hear you made it to Deutchland safely. I can't wait for the next update!

Clare Anzoleaga said...

Oh what happy smiles! I can't believe the audacity over complaining about hair products, and overlooking the juice! My son once had a guard take his beef jerky and give it to the police dogs. It's hit and miss with those guys...But at least there are happy smiles! I leave for Peru tomorrow out of L.A. at 1:00a.m. (ish) I'll be thinking of you as I go through security! :)

Unknown said...

You are a brave, brave woman! I'm looking at your India clock to the right, and I see that you must be there by now (and probably exhausted!) I hope all is well & I am grateful that you are probably through the worst of it. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures in India! :)
~Christy

Martin said...

If you pile up a couple of those suitcases and squint really hard, you can see me waving from about 2 hours East!

Unknown said...

Many safe travel thoughts coming your way.
Funny, my dh was in Frankfurt on Sunday to catch his flight here to vacation in Idaho. Maybe he saw you ;)

Mrs4444 said...

Miss you already... :) Glad you made it in one piece (with your hair stuff, too, you little sneak!)

Heidi said...

Everyone is smiling, I want to travel with your family.... We don't make it cross country without meltdowns, let alone across the world. And a husband smiling, that's monumental! Have a safe rest of your trip girl. Can't wait to hear chapter 2.

Kim said...

I can't believe you have started your journey!!! And like everyone mentioned they are all smiling!!!

Have a great great trip there.. and I cannot wait for the next post!!

Joggingincircles

Unknown said...

Awww...love the pic of the girls and the puppy!! (for my boys any dog, no matter the age, is a puppy)

I hope your travels have been great and can't wait to hear what happens next. I am sure there is much more to hear. Take lots of pics!

TTYL, Amorette

Unknown said...

You are such an old expert! Can't wait to hear about INDIA!

OHmommy said...

Ah, what we do for our beauty products.

Seriously. We could be best friends. I am a bit jealousy of your travels and adventures. Cant wait to read more.

Diane Mandy said...

Unbelievable start of the new adventure, but I am sure it is NOT a sign of things to come.

Rach (Mommy Learns to Blog) said...

Wow! You will be getting lots of comments for me, as I've just sat down with a little time to catch up (for some strange reason, I just realized you're not showing up in my reader, I need to see what's going on there!).

What a travel experience, and it looks like I've only gotten halfway through it! I would have gone nuts over the hair cream too -not only is it expensive and necessary, but really, do they have to be THAT ridiculous? Glad to hear you did what you needed to do!!

Can't wait to hear all about the rest of the adventures!

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