Schwerbach to Hahn Airport (Monday morning)

I set my iPod alarm to wake me at the hostel so that I'd ultimately have 1.75 hours to make the ~7.5-mile walk between Schwerbach and the Hahn Airport bus terminal for my scheduled 9:15 AM coach to my day's destination.

I left the hostel on schedule, and was glad right away that I decided to walk. The air was clean, and the countryside beautiful with the fields streaked with different shades of green and yellow. I snapped off a few pictures as I casually made my way down the narrow road. The first 1/8 of a mile or so was downhill, but then the road changed into a climb and I thought, I hope it's not uphill the rest of the way.

It was. To add to the fun, about 20 minutes into the walk the rain arrived, along with a brutal headwind. In many places the road had no shoulder, so I had to walk in the high grass next to the pavement. Nothing like a long walk in the cold rain with wet shoes and socks. But hey, I was in Germany!

After about an hour, I checked the time against my progress according to the (wet) map in my pocket. I wasn't going to catch my bus at the rate I was going. So I started to jog, which is real fun with a backpack. At least this time I didn't have a ham hock in my stomach.

Somewhere between the villages of Laufersweiler and Büchenbeuren - about halfway between Schwerbach and the airport - a friendly local in her car stopped and asked if I would like a ride. I must have looked really pathetic. Being so focused on the road ahead, I pulled a great "Dumb and Dumber" move when I said, "No thanks, I'm doing great." As she drove off, I realized how stupid it was to pass up the free ride.

Eventually I finished my sprint to the bus terminal at 9:10 AM. The bus hadn't arrived yet, so I took the opportunity to sit on a bench and catch my breath. It was a painful walk/run, but I was glad I made it according to schedule. It wasn't until I opened my pack to discover that my bus ticket indicated an 8:15 AM departure. Not exactly sure how I messed that up, but I think I got confused by the time difference, and whether or not daylight savings was in effect locally. Frankfurt is one hour ahead of Glasgow.

Fortunately before I could get too upset, a coach pulled into the bay a few minutes later and the driver let me board with my existing ticket. Again I had most of the bus to myself, so I was able to change out of my soaking wet clothes. I wouldn't have to put my wet shoes back on for at least another 1.75 hours, when we'd pull into our final destination, a little place called Aspen. I mean Luxembourg.

Some of the scenery early on my walk to the airport from the village of Schwerbach.


Part of the country road led me through dense forest, which reminded me of the Northwest.

More countryside. I saw the stormy weather up ahead and hoped it would bypass me. I stopped taking pictures once I started getting slammed by the wind and rain.