The longest day in the world

When does a trip start? When you set foot on the airplane or when you finally land, tired but excited It really is an impossible question, but this post is about beginnings. Let's review the longest day in the world.

Our 48 hour day started in Ohio. The kids around Wadsworth, like myself, met at 7:30 and this is when it dawns on you that today is the day that we leave. The Columbus kids met up with us at lunch. Joyce made us God eyes and lead us through a blessing, and then it dawns on you that you are leaving with a group of your peers.

We made it to the airport and began the process of preparing to hurtle yourself into the sky. We took out our passport and prayed that no one would look at the picture for any real length of time, wether it was because we felt like we looked like a deranged chipmunk ( that would be myself) or we just didn't trust it with anyone for too long since we were told this was the only true thing you could not leave without.

After we checked in our bags, we were told that this is where we would say goodbye to our parents, and then it dawns on you that you are leaving with a group of your peers, without your family. We said our goodbyes and went through security. It is easy to start thinking that this might be longest day in the world.

After finally getting on the airplane after hours of driving and what felt like an eternity waiting at the terminal and in line, we were ready to go airborne. I love the takeoff of a flight. There is something about being able to see the ground spread out beneath the plane and completely change your perspective.

We've all heard the jokes about airline food it is a classic in the world of comedy. The food on the plane was not your classic airline food, it was a choice between chicken and pasta (I went with the pasta and I really enjoyed it). Another perk of this flight was free tv and movies on the screen in front of you.

Let's imagine the scene. You just ate, watched some tv and finally decide that you should try and sleep; I mean, you only have 5 more hours to do so.
The baby in first class doesn't agree with you.
The ones that got any sleep, even if it was only 90 minutes worth, will be envied.

But this doesn't matter, you are in Germany! You don't know if it was the power nap, the cup of tea or  pure adrenaline, but you feel as light as a feather. Yeah it was defiantly the caffeine.
You make it through customs and after a short ride, you arrive at the youth hostel. Sure your room is right next the train tracks, but does that really matter?

Your jet lag is almost nonexistent, but you know that if you go to sleep it will be game over. You distract yourself...and still manage to fall asleep.

After waking up and rushing downstairs, you are relieved to find that EVERYONE else made the exact same mistake and Dan had to came to all of the rooms and wake everyone up by knocking loudly at the door for several minutes.

The group heads out, into the rain. We rode a tram to the center of town, where Frankfurt was setting up for the Iron Man competition. We spent the time before we met up with our tour guide looking at shops and getting warm drinks and pretzels.

The center of the old town was beautiful, and then you realize that you are in Germany. The tour guide takes you around. The building we had all been sitting on is the town all and is hundreds of years old. The tour took us around the beautiful city of Frankfurt.

After the tour we had dinner at the top floor of one of the shopping centers. After dinner we had an hour to explore the other floors.

At the end of the longest day in the world, after hours of driving in cars, flying on planes and riding on trains, you realize you are in Germany and ready for tomorrow.

Hannah Gardner, Young Ambassadors Ohio