Layover Weekend

I have had some crazy flight itineraries in the past, but my trip from Zurich to Casablanca may be the most ridiculous ever.  From Zurich to Dusseldorf to Madrid to Casablanca, my trip included a 7-hour layover in Germany and an overnight stop in Spain.  I suppose I could have just purchased new flights when my schedule kept changing, but I felt badly about wasting company money.  The result: 4 countries in two days!

My first stop in Dusseldorf gave me the chance to actually explore the city beyond just the 26.2 miles I spent running through the streets a couple weeks earlier.  I put my luggage into storage and hopped on the first train into the city center.  Everywhere was buzzing with activity because there was a football game that afternoon.  It would have been even more exciting if I had people to watch the game with, but I still enjoyed the energy of the everyone around me. 

In my mind, one thing that distinguishes Germany from other European countries is the modern element of its cities.  Of course this is inevitable when everything is bombed during the wars, but it just feels slightly different than most other countries in Europe.  That said, Dusseldorf has really embraced some modern architectural designs – particularly with the Gehry buildings by the harbor. 

Streets look like other parts of Europe...only cleaner and newer

Cool architecture makes up for lack of old buildings in Dusseldorf!

I would love to know what these apartments look like from the inside...

One of my favorite aspects of European lifestyle is the extent to which people enjoy life in the city centers.  It seems like every Saturday, the main shopping districts are packed with residents and tourists alike.  There is no need for shopping malls or mega supermarkets because people are comfortable walking around without their cars.  Europeans like to spend hours at their local café that has been around for generations, rather than national chain restaurants.  In my opinion, the only American cities that rival this sense of urban community are Boston, San Francisco, and Washington DC.     

Just another day in paradise.

After a relaxing day in Dusseldorf, I returned to the airport and boarded my next flight to Madrid.  I hate to admit it but those flight attendants on Iberia just looked miserable.  You’d think that Spanish people who are lucky enough to have jobs would at least put on a smile for the half-filled planes!

My short time in Madrid almost felt like being back at home (in a strange way).  The warm weather was a welcome change from central Europe and it felt good to be able to communicate with the hotel driver in his local language.  Even though I only had enough time for a quick night of sleep and a jamon bocadillo for breakfast before heading back to the airport, it felt good to be back in Spain!  

Thank you, Spain, for not allowing these hideous shoes!