Planes, trains and automobiles

Disclaimer: posting these after the fact. I tried to write as I went, but I couldn't actually post anything until I got home.

October 7th, 8th. Days 1 and 2 (1 was a travel day, 2 was my first full day)
after 24 hours of travel, I've arrived!

My flights were fine, nothing much there to talk about. There wasn't a passenger in the seat next to me, which I was very happy about. Otherwise I end up with a giant pile of stuff on my lap. One thing I found strange about my journey was that every time I landed they didn't have a terminal, I had to walk or get bussed across the runway. I was surprised they did this for the international flight, because it was a big plane.
I flew to Frankfurt and had a quick connection to Germany, which was uneventful. I was through customs within a minute, including time waited in line. Then came the real treat. . . that airport is like a MAZE. I swear I must have walked a mile at the very least to get to my terminal. The flight from Frankfurt to Munich was easy. My only complaint was that I don't speak German. A little girl sat next to me and apparently I buckled myself up using her latch, so she was trying to tell me and I just didn't have a clue what she was saying. I finally got it, but I felt like a terd. I bet the expression on my face when people talk to me in another language is priceless, probably like a deer in headlights.

The train ride from Munich to Innsbruck was more of me being confused by people speaking German to me, which was extra fun. I never know what to do when I go to a counter to buy something - should I just ask for it in English right off the bat, or should I first ask them if they speak English in German? Really it makes no difference in the exchange, because if I ask if they speak English and they can't, it's not like it'll make communication any easier. I suppose that way we're on the same page, though. . . and I don't look like an ignorant American who expects the world to bend to my needs. I've found my best plan of action is to say "hi" right off the bat, and if they speak English, they'll immediately start speaking it. Wow, I'm so lame. It's funny, because I do know small bits of German which could get me through some of these situations, but I'm afraid to speak it because I'm sure I sound ridiculous.

Speaking of sounding funny speaking another language. Today Christian said 'California' and I nearly died of laughter. Poor guy had no idea what was so funny - I was laughing because he said it exactly like the Governator. I really wanted to ask him to say "It's not a tumor!" and "get OUT!" but I decided against it. English is his 3rd language, which is a hell of a lot more than I can say, so I think I'll keep the accent critique to a minimum! I wish my video camera worked - I'd make a whole montage of Austrian people saying Governator phrases.

Other than a bit of jetlag, everything is great. I'm about to go walk around Innsbruck for a while - it's beautiful today, warm and clear. The mountains here are just beautiful. More on that later.