Frankfurt in 16 hours

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April 18th 2009

Published: May 11th 2009

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Hauptbahnhof

main train station in Frankfurt

Today was a long travel day to Casablanca, Morocco. Just to make it interesting I was chosen AGAIN for a random pat-down at the Calgary airport security area, second time in my life and both times in Calgary. Do I have the words “search me” written on my forehead? Needless to say the guy was disappointed that he didn’t find anything.

The flight to Frankfurt was uneventful. Upon landing at 6:30AM local time I had 16 hours before my connecting flight to Casablanca. I was supposed to be flying to Morocco via Rome but Alitalia cancelled my flight the day before and I had to scramble to get the Lufthansa flight. Now Alitalia is right up there with Air Canada as my least favourite airlines but looking on the bright side I get to visit Frankfurt for a day.

The airport is relatively easy to navigate and before long I was on my way to the main train station in the city. Despite the rain and cool temperature I walked south across the Main River to the Museums-Ufer along the river bank where most of the museums are located. I then crossed the river again at the Eiserner Steg

Photo 3

Skyline

iron bridge to the area of Romerplatz where most of the sights are - Cathedral (too bad under renovation so I couldn’t go up the tower), Romer, Fountain of Justice and various other churches. There is a pedestrian only area around Zeil Street which is the main shopping area. This could have been a pleasant walk around town but the rain dampened the whole experience. I did relax a bit at a café and did some people watching before walking by the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Alte Oper and the European Central Bank to go back to the airport.

I walked around both terminals to kill time and after spending many hours at the Frankfurt airport, I definitely think there should be more washrooms and more seating areas. Generous seat padding wouldn’t hurt either. I eventually made it to Casablanca after about 32 hours, the longest trip ever so far.

Clearing immigration was slow but I did manage to get some Moroccan Dirhams (Dh) and catch the last train to Casablanca. I couldn’t find any clear sign for taxi at the train station so I had to ask the guard at the door. As soon as I said

Photo 4

Skyline and Eiserner Steg iron bridge

the word “taxi”, I got swarmed by everyone wanting to have my business. The initial offer was 30 Dh. Since I had no idea how much it should cost and bargaining is the norm in Morocco and counter-offered with 10 Dh. There were no takers and some guy even wanted 50 Dh. I ended up going with the first driver and once we got going he said to me in French that he could take me to a cheaper hotel. I reiterated that I wanted to go to MY hotel in broken French but he was persistent. Thankfully I made it to my hotel safe and sound. Time to get some much needed sleep!

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