Paderwhere?

Yep, I've arrived in one piece in Paderborn, Germany. One very, very tired piece, for the record. It's been a long couple of days... especially long, because I'm in a timezone that's like ten hours away from what I'm used to. And it's all a bit unfamiliar right now, but hey, such is life.

So, after an incredibly long and boring layover in Singapore, I finally got onto my flight to Frankfurt. It was an incredibly long and boring flight, to say the least. My tv screen barely worked so it was unwatcheable, and I definitely failed at attempts to gain some decent sleep. My back is really, really sore because of that awful chair, not to mention lugging far too much luggage since then. But it's ok, I'll manage. At least I have a roof over my head now!

Frankurt was... cold. Freezing cold. I caught a train to the Frankfurt Hbf (the main train station) where I was literally shivering for two and a half hours while I waited for the train. There isn't really anywhere warm to sit down or hang out, though I did take the opportunity to get on a few extra layers, courtesy of my suitcase... at a cost of Euro70c to use the ladies' room. I forgot about the whole 'paying for bathrooms' thing that they do over here in Europe, and honestly, the idea still horrifies me. I imagine that I'll learn to hold on for a bit longer... ;)

The ICE train (one I managed to get on it) was nice - the walls were warm! So I was happy... wearing leggings under my jeans, two extra singlets under my tshirt/ jumper / coat, and my scarf and beret. Everyone else was sitting around in far less clothing than I was, I can assure you. Anyway, getting my suitcase on and off of trains was difficult. It was too wide to go down some aisles, and I'd condensed my bags at Frankfurt, so the suitcase became even heavier. Which wouldn't ordinarily have been such a problem, except that I was already exhausted. A few old German men gave me some help, though, on different occasions, so that was really nice of them. The suitcase probably looked bigger than I did! Except that I was all rugged up, so maybe not.

So, I finally got to Paderborn. T met me at the train station, and now I'm here, lazing about on the internet. Still cold, but at least now I'm showered and in clean clothes. There's a lot to be said for showering after air travel, that's for sure. Hungry and should probably investigate the possibility of dinner.