Planes, Planes, and Automobiles

So, here I am in Germany. Not much has happened here as of yet. Actually haven't really left the house. Sad isn't it? We'll just talk about how I got here...

Phoenix to Phillidelphia -
I have to say, I love to fly but I HATE planes. They're so crowded and stuffy and just...yuck! I was lucky enough to get a window seat at least. Before we got ridiculously high, the view was awesome, but when we got way up there all I could see were clouds. I did not expect Philly to be the way it was. There were trees everywhere and not really any big buildings. I saw about five football fields and probably at least a hundred baseball fields. The descent into the airport was really rough and a bit scary but the landing was lovely. I got off the plane and made my way straight to my next gate cause I was really worried about getting lost and missing my flight. I got there and decided this was a good time to read my book, "Sex. God." Hmmm......The man sitting across from me was a missionary on his way to Munich. He was handing out tracks. (Not a big fan.) The guy sitting diagonally in front of me was the spitting image of J. Bauerle. Even his mannerisms were characteristic of J. Bauerle. It made the trip much more interesting. He ended up sitting directly infront of me on the plane and I very much wanted to engage in conversation with him, but I'm not very good at initiating conversation with strangers. Or anyone for that matter. So alas, we parted ways without a single exchange of any kind. Which brings me to something else. On the plane from Philly to Franfurt I took out my book "Sex. God." and for those of you who haven't read this book it's talking about the connection between spirtuality and sexuality and defines sexuality as the connection between people (not necessarily physical). The chapter I happened to be reading about four hours into the flight was talking about how disconnected people are from eachother. How they would rather text someone than call them. How so much of the communication between people is no longer face to face and so impersonal. And as I was reading this I thought about how I've been sitting on this plane next to these same people for four hours and have another four hours to go and the likely hood that any of us will exchange a single word or even friendly glance is slim to none. And as I thoght about this, the urge to begin reading aloud became stronger and stronger within me. The urge to share, to connect, to be sexual. I wanted them to hear these things and understand that the way Americans lead their lives of individualism is not ok. It's not how we were meant to live. Sadly my fear got the better of me and we continued in silence. In our solitary state of being. Have you seen the movie "Wall-E"? The scene with the two guys sitting right next to each other talking over a computer? Or the scene where the woman's computer breaks and for the first time she sees her surroundings. And the scene where the man's the woman's hands touch? Aside from the environmental push in that movie, the entire thing is about the connection between people and how we are losing sight of the importance of being personal and connected to one another. It's amazing how many thoughts can pass through or mind in just a split second cause by a single word or picture or smell. We are amazing creatures made for so much more than we let ourselves be a part of.

What a tangent!

It was still dark when we got to Frankurt, the sun was just beginning to rise. I was very glad to arrive at such an early hour because I have heard that Frankfurt is one of the busiest airports. I was able to get off the plane, get my bag and find my brother in no more than ten minutes. I was so glad to be off the plane and done with airports that I forgot my brother lives an hour away and we still had to DRIVE! Uhhgg! I was able to stay awake and pass the time by clutching to the seat for my life being that European drivers are insane! One of the cars driving near us was going all over the road and at varying speeds. When we were finally able to pass it, it was obvious by the bloodshot eyes, pale skin, and sweat dripping down the face, that the driver was on some very serious drug/drugs. And then (as if I was freaked out enough already) my sister-in-law proceeded to tell how when she was driving the other day she saw a car in which the passenger was holding the wheel for the driver while she lit up (marijuana).

All I can conclude so far is that this place is going to take some getting used to and people back home have nothing to fear that i'll fall in love with it here and not come home. (But I haven't made it to Italy yet so don't get your hopes up!)