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That I would make this trip to the sunshine state California wasn't sure at all. Everything started with an e-mail from a fellow student giving me that hint about an internship in the Bay Area. Getting such an opportunity in a foreign country isn't a bad deal at all hence I immediately sent my application letter and CV to the L.A. office of the Lufthansa Cargo Airlines office. After having a phone conference with the Regional Manager for Logistics at San Francisco department I got his approval along with the this job opportunity setting up this new position. Now - by the way - he's my boss. Without any doubt: this moment became one of the happy spots in my life I'll never forget.
Only 8 weeks remain to get ready for that trip. First action was getting the VISA. A form called DS-2019 from an organization that is authorized to issue those is required. Then you're eligible to apply for the special J1-VISA. This is good for students who are gonna work in the States. The GACC ("German American Chamber of Commerce) is one of the few organizations that offer such services and documents. You have to pay a fee that depends on the duration of your stay in the United States. Once you got the DS-2019 fill out the electronic VISA form published by the U.S. Embassy of Germany. After this is done you now have to call a non-tollfree 0900-number (1.86 EUR/min) and make out an appointment for your personal appearance at the responsible U.S. Embassy (Frankfurt or Berlin). On that day make sure all your documents are filled out properly and are with you. If you follow their rules expect your passport and VISA sent back by mail after couple of days.
It's March 12th in 2006 and the lord doesn't play the course I wanted to play: almost 12 inches of virgin snow thru last hours. In this consequence all flights departing from and arriving at the Dresden Airport (DRS) have been cancelled so that everyone wants to get on the next flight possible. Having an unconfirmed "stand-by Ticket") doesn't make the situation easier at all. Now people rushing to the next flight at 1.10pm (local time). Thanks Good and the nice women at the waiting list counter giving me the last seat for this flight. Munich ("MUC" was the only stop I had. For that transfer I went straight to the international security check, passed and got on the plain. My seat is right behind airplane's wings root giving me a beautiful view out of the window (see photos). In certain intervalls a monitor shows you the different parameters playing outside the fuselage, for instance: Altitude: FL330 (= 33.000 ft or approx. 11km) or Temperature: -83.2°F / -64°C.
Using a polarizing filter allows me to make the forces visible that are coming from outside and making pressure to the fuselage. The glass of the window got stressed by the negative pressure outside - That's amazing and the reason why you can see this colorful effects. The United Airlines (UA) flight on an Airbus A340-300 feels pretty comfortable - with plenty of beverages and warm meals. I prefer water, orange or tomato juice by the way. During the flight the sunset is being prolonged by flight direction heading against the day/night border. After arrival at "San Francisco International Airport" (SFO) passing by the customs as well as the passport check is the next step. Little confusion arises but then I found the right (means correct) lane waiting for immigration. From this moment on I felt this typical american affability...
What's happening in the foreign west coast area during first week? Go ahead and find it out...
| © 2005, 2006 Torsten Mann, Pfingstbrunnenstr. 10, 65760 Eschborn, Germany. | Last Update: 26-AUG 2006 |