I'm headed to Cologne, Germany for three weeks to better collaborate with my global colleagues in the Incident Management role at Bayer. Headquarters is located in Leverkusen, Germany (a short 16 minute train ride from Cologne).
"Day" (I use that term loosely) 1 consisted of a two-hop flight from Pittsburgh to Frankfurt with a short layover at John F. Kennedy Airport. Work travel regulations allow me to fly "business" class on transatlantic flights, so I seized the opportunity to travel in style. My flight from Pittsburgh to JFK (which departed around 4:30pm) was on a CRJ-900 which has a premium cabin consisting of wider and slightly cushioned seats.
Once I arrived at JFK I made my way to the nearest Delta Sky Club. I have to admit, I felt out of place. There were people everywhere enjoying some light hor d'oeuvres and free drinks. There is also an outside area (aptly called the Sky Deck) where you can enjoy some unfiltered sunshine and fresh air.
After a brief but relaxing break I was off again to the gate for my flight to Frankfurt. The flight was scheduled to depart around 6:30pm, but boarding was delayed, and then we were delayed on the tarmac for typical JFK traffic (#37 in line for takeoff) plus what I believe was an emergency on an inbound American flight (it's not every day you see 6 ARFF trucks, an ambulance and an emergency set of air stairs go by). This time I got to experience true "first class" flying. I boarded the 767-400ER and turned left towards the front of the plane and found my seat. The seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout and all lay completely flat at the push of a button.
Champagne and orange juice were offered. Before takeoff, menus were distributed and dinner selections were recorded. After takeoff, hot towels were distributed along with table cloths and drinks (in real glasses).
The appetizer plate came first. Real silverware, dishes and mini salt and pepper shakers. The plate is rubberized so the dishes stay put.
Followed by my dinner selection, chicken meatballs.
And then my dessert.
After dinner I watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and then laid down to go to sleep. These are the middle two seats one row behind me. When the seat folds flat your feet end up under the extra-wide divider in the middle.
After a brief 2 hour nap it was time for breakfast.
After which we landed in Frankfurt around 9:45am local time. We taxied a long distance past several Lufthansa aircraft, their maintenance facility, the airport fire station and some other cool stuff.
After clearing customs, which was super easy (why are you here? how long are you staying? are you staying in Frankfurt? have a nice visit!) I found my way to the train station which is attached to the airport. There I purchased a ticket from Frankfurt to Cologne (roughly 190km away). I had a little trouble finding what platform my train was departing from, but eventually asked the helpful information booth attendant and made it with time to spare.
What I didn't realize is I had booked a ticket that required me to transfer trains at the first station (Mainz) and switch from an ICE (Intercity Express) to an IC (Intercity) train. The difference is the ICE train takes ~55 minutes to travel from Frankfurt to Cologne...the IC takes ~120 minutes. I was tired and hot and the last thing I wanted to do was spend my first 2 hours in Germany on a train...but that's what I did.
The fast train...I don't have a photo of the slow train yet.
A photo of the German countryside from the slow train. I did get to see lots of neat little towns and ships on the Rhein. This photo shows crops on the hillside which is quite steep. It was pretty interesting, especially to see the workers walking on catch nets right next to the railway in some spots.
I arrived in Cologne and found my way to my hotel which is one block away. I spoke to my colleague who was expecting me at the office in the afternoon and we agreed that I should take the rest of the day to unpack, find my way around a bit and recharge for the morning. I had dinner at the hotel bar around 7pm and I was famished. I had a great chicken and cous-cous dish followed by creme brulee. Yum!
Tomorrow I navigate my way to Bayer Headquarters in Leverkusen and meet some of my colleagues in-person for the first time!
"Day" (I use that term loosely) 1 consisted of a two-hop flight from Pittsburgh to Frankfurt with a short layover at John F. Kennedy Airport. Work travel regulations allow me to fly "business" class on transatlantic flights, so I seized the opportunity to travel in style. My flight from Pittsburgh to JFK (which departed around 4:30pm) was on a CRJ-900 which has a premium cabin consisting of wider and slightly cushioned seats.
Once I arrived at JFK I made my way to the nearest Delta Sky Club. I have to admit, I felt out of place. There were people everywhere enjoying some light hor d'oeuvres and free drinks. There is also an outside area (aptly called the Sky Deck) where you can enjoy some unfiltered sunshine and fresh air.
After a brief but relaxing break I was off again to the gate for my flight to Frankfurt. The flight was scheduled to depart around 6:30pm, but boarding was delayed, and then we were delayed on the tarmac for typical JFK traffic (#37 in line for takeoff) plus what I believe was an emergency on an inbound American flight (it's not every day you see 6 ARFF trucks, an ambulance and an emergency set of air stairs go by). This time I got to experience true "first class" flying. I boarded the 767-400ER and turned left towards the front of the plane and found my seat. The seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout and all lay completely flat at the push of a button.
Champagne and orange juice were offered. Before takeoff, menus were distributed and dinner selections were recorded. After takeoff, hot towels were distributed along with table cloths and drinks (in real glasses).
The appetizer plate came first. Real silverware, dishes and mini salt and pepper shakers. The plate is rubberized so the dishes stay put.
Followed by my dinner selection, chicken meatballs.
And then my dessert.
After dinner I watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and then laid down to go to sleep. These are the middle two seats one row behind me. When the seat folds flat your feet end up under the extra-wide divider in the middle.
After a brief 2 hour nap it was time for breakfast.
After which we landed in Frankfurt around 9:45am local time. We taxied a long distance past several Lufthansa aircraft, their maintenance facility, the airport fire station and some other cool stuff.
After clearing customs, which was super easy (why are you here? how long are you staying? are you staying in Frankfurt? have a nice visit!) I found my way to the train station which is attached to the airport. There I purchased a ticket from Frankfurt to Cologne (roughly 190km away). I had a little trouble finding what platform my train was departing from, but eventually asked the helpful information booth attendant and made it with time to spare.
What I didn't realize is I had booked a ticket that required me to transfer trains at the first station (Mainz) and switch from an ICE (Intercity Express) to an IC (Intercity) train. The difference is the ICE train takes ~55 minutes to travel from Frankfurt to Cologne...the IC takes ~120 minutes. I was tired and hot and the last thing I wanted to do was spend my first 2 hours in Germany on a train...but that's what I did.
The fast train...I don't have a photo of the slow train yet.
A photo of the German countryside from the slow train. I did get to see lots of neat little towns and ships on the Rhein. This photo shows crops on the hillside which is quite steep. It was pretty interesting, especially to see the workers walking on catch nets right next to the railway in some spots.
I arrived in Cologne and found my way to my hotel which is one block away. I spoke to my colleague who was expecting me at the office in the afternoon and we agreed that I should take the rest of the day to unpack, find my way around a bit and recharge for the morning. I had dinner at the hotel bar around 7pm and I was famished. I had a great chicken and cous-cous dish followed by creme brulee. Yum!
Tomorrow I navigate my way to Bayer Headquarters in Leverkusen and meet some of my colleagues in-person for the first time!
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