Didn't get much sleep the night before, I was quite nervous and tossed and turned the whole night. Got up early and made French Toast for Debra and I.
Then we took off to the airport and checked in. All went well, and said my final goodbyes to Debra and New Zealand at the gate. Was freaking out a little bit but managed to take my mind off things by buying European adaptors and knick-knacks.
Finally I got on the plane and sat down. On my flight to Sydney I sat beside a pom named Mark, a guy in his mid-thirties. I chatted with him most of the flight because the movie was crap (Becoming Jane). Found out some places to visit in England. When we landed he got stopped at customs for having a bottle of Southern Comfort in his bag. With the new liquid laws, you can no longer take liquids through connecting flights. So for those of you travelling, you can only get duty free at the last connecting stop!
I was wondering around Sydney airport and then caught up with David again. He gave me his contact details if I needed a guide in Birmingham. Wasn't much of a stop in Sydney, so I had a coffee then went off to my plane.
I found my seat and was sitting beside two Swedish girls named Anna and Therese. Their English was pretty much perfect. They had just been to NZ doing a medical internship for their course. They had free time in NZ so I talked to them about their trip.They said they really enjoyed it and were thinking of going back again. I got on with them really well, and spent most of the first leg (7 hours, Sydney to Bangkok) talking with Anna as Therese was sick and couldn't talk and was trying to get some sleep. We found out quite a bit about each other, it's always interesting meeting new people. They are pictured below (Anna on left, Therese on right)
Got off in the Bangkok airport, it is very pretty from the outside. On the inside it is very ummm like the inside of a hospital OR. All clean and stuff. Really had no character. Only a 1 hour refueling stop here, so just freshened up, brushed teeth and back on the plane. Swapped contact details with Anna and Therese for if they head back to NZ or I head over to Sweden (which I'm thinking of doing anyways).
This leg of my flight was the longest, 13 hours. I talked with the girls a bit but we were all shattered. Tried to sleep, but I mostly only rested my eyes. Watched a few more movies. Ate a couple of meals. This one was uneventful.
Got off the plane at Heathrow. Said bye to the girls as they headed off to catch their connecting flight. I had to catch a 6 minute bus ride to connect to my terminal. Heathrow has a bit more character than Bangkok.
Got on the plane for the final 1.5 hour flight to Stuttgart, Germany. I was absolutely shattered. I sat beside an American named Sarah who's parents lived in Germany. I was too tired to really communicate and ended up sleeping for most of this flight.
I defiantly knew I had arrived in Germany. No more English! The customs officers had no sense of humour. I went through got my bags almost immediately, then met Heidi at the gate. She was younger than I thought (about my age) and she was very friendly. Took me to my room in Sindelfingen and got me settled in with keys etc. Lucky she was with me because nobody I was dealing with spoke a word of English. I definitely needed a translator!
By this stage I was wide awake (at midday in Germany). So I decided to go into work with Heidi and meet everyone. They were all pretty friendly. Their English is ok but not perfect, and they all speak German in the coffee room. I felt very alienated at this stage :) Oh well, I guess I just need to learn German.
I got my contract sorted out and some other things. Then went home around 6. As soon as I got home I felt extremely tired. Unpacked my things, half meet my room-mate, then crashed at 7pm.
Here's some pictures of my room.
(Click for Interactive Full Size Map)
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