This summer, our family traveled to the States for the first time since 2018. With Corona, we’ve opted to stay in Europe.
However, with a new nephew, a family wedding and a lot of people we care about to see, we took this journey fully ‚geimpft und genesen‘.
Our journey started with a 4:30 AM alarm to ensure an arrival to BER with a full three hours before our flight.
Of course, we got there so early, we actually had to stand in line because the ticket counter wasn’t even open yet.
Used to traveling with only carryons, we decided to check our larger luggage as we’d be traveling for a month this time and had a lot of presents with us. So we only had our backpacks with us on the plane.
Even though our first flight was delayed out of BER, we were still calm as our next layover was extended to six hours and we had somehow convinced the Delta Club to let all four of us in, instead of the two we were permitted.
Our journey stared well, but this was only the beginning.
After arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport (one that I loathe), we found our way to the Air France Club.
This time they would only admit two of us, but we decided to pay the €40 to get the kids in because it seemed like a calmer space. And who can feed a family of four at CDG on €40 anyway?
While waiting for our flight to Chicago, we saw that there was a strike at CDG and we prayed our flight would actually make it out at all as 10-20% of flights were being cancelled that day.
Long story short, we did make it.
We were a bit delayed on top of the six hour layover, but we were thrilled to be making it out at all. This meant we’d make the rehearsal dinner before the wedding we were attending in Milwaukee that weekend.
24 hours after waking up in Berlin, we arrived in Chicago, but our luggage never did – spoiler alert, we wouldn‘t get our bags until Day 19 and the third city of our trip. (More on that later.)
Our shuttle driver graciously took pity on us and made a side trip to Walmart (the culture shock amplified!) so we could get some essentials while the boys crashed in the van.
But we made it to Milwaukee that night!
Berlin Lubells: Stories of Life in Berlin from an American Expat Mom's First Experience Living Abroad 
It was a schlep, but so glad you made it, with or without luggage! It was wonderful to be together and see the boys growing!
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It was great seeing you and Bob and the rest of the family! We’ll worth the trip and mishaps. We’re so glad we made it!
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