12-15 Touching Down

It was a blur, a dream, a vague memory. The cabin lights flipped on and some far away announcement was heard about landing. Darkness. The tires squealed on the runway and people stirred. Looking at the clock to anticipate how likely we would make our connection, it read 6:57am local time. Our flight left at 730; it was going to be close. As the plane approached the gate, the captain indicated there was another plane currently at our gate we would have to wait on. Nothing to do, but wait. If I was driving up in a car, I might of honked in that every so Minnesota nice quick beep kind of way. A backup plan never entered my mind. In fact, nothing was really going into or out of my mind after grasping for the few precious hours of sleep that I'm not even sure counted. We gathered our belongings and shuttled off the plan like a drugged cattle line. A few cows kicking past us in hopes of making their connections. Ah - good idea… I stepped it into gear and went from a zombie walk to a zombie gallop. The kids excitedly kept up. A lady mumbled something about Munich as we passed, we said yes, and she gave us a few passport control expedite cards. Arrows pointing left, right, left, up, around. We followed the signs like a rat in a maze while weaving through a busy, chic airport. Think Ikea, without the couches, but lines everywhere. Finally, the passport line - our passes allowed us to take the flightcrew path. As I presented our stack of passports, the agent asked how long we expected to be in Europe. I think I said fifteen days… then tacked on for good measure, if we made our Munich connection. He was quick, nice, and assured us our gate was right around the corner after we each received an Iceland stamp. A few more turns, and there it was, A15. No one else there, no one in line, just a lone agent waiting beside an open door. Phew. Tickets scanned and we were down the runway.
I would like to point out the jetways to the plane in Iceland appear to be permanently built structures - so they were warm and solid. Way to go, Iceland (Minnesota - please take note). Additionally, I would like to point out our no-frills, bargain airline, treats kids amazingly well (I'm sure much to everyone's thankfulness). Each time we boarded, they handed the kids activity packs with games, stickers, and headphones for the entertainment. After in flight, each kid received a full complimentary meal (typical tickets do not include meals, but food is available for purchase). Overall, the flights were comfortable and nice… and the kicker, kids tickets cost less! Someone in Iceland likes families. After another 3.5 hours in a plane and a final give in to allow some kids shows, we start our decent into Munich. It will be about 12:30 local time, or lunch time. Charlie did not sleep on this flight and is now playing with silly putty. After downing two juice boxes earlier in the flight, we only had one moment of panic. He tells me has to go really bad, so we walk back to the lavatory in the back of the plane only to discover a line about six deep, that isn't moving. He dances about for a few minutes, and the line hasn't budged. He asks if we can go up front, and honestly, I don't see why not (good thinking travel dude), so we scuttle past the semi-open curtain, through first class, and we're in! No one cares or says a word. I might have to remember that one. The crew comes through with a bag of maybe twenty gingerbread cookies for kids. Gosh - if I was a kid, I'd travel nothing but Iceland Air. As a parent, we couldn't be happier. The sun rips through the window semi-blinding and I'm sure doing some sort of retinal damage. The Bavarian mountains in the distance. Down we head through the clouds into Munich. We made it!