Frankfurt and A Desperate Old Man

Frankfurt and A Desperate Old Man

February 23, 2015|Adiek Sarah

Flight departure from KLIA to Frankfurt was around 12 pm on 13th February 2015. More than 12 hours flight, I only slept during the journey until I arrived at Frankfurt International Airport at 6.15 am. Outside temperature was 0 degrees centigrade. It was winter, but I didn’t really see snow in Frankfurt.

The immigration officer said “Selamat Pagi” means Good Morning. Cute guy, and looked friendly. Really made my day. Wink Wink. Passed the immigration, took the luggage and went outside the airport to take free shuttle to the train station.

It was too early. Not sure what ticket to buy. I just simple bought a Single Journey ticket for 4,50 Euro. When the Information Counter opened, I asked for which platform going to the Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof (main station). I took the train and arrived in the city centre 15 minutes later.

Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof

It was still very early to go anywhere. I searched for baggage storage at the station. The rates were 6,00 Euro and 12,00 Euro depending on the locker size. Only coins were accepted.  I took out my camera, went to buy some coffee and sit for a while to access the internet using the free Wifi.

9.00 am. Ok, let’s start walking. I didn’t have any intention to take any public transport to go anywhere. Honestly, I didn’t really plan to go anywhere in Frankfurt. Before I left, I went to the information counter and asked where exactly is the bus station that I suppose to go to Zurich at 3 pm. It was just next to the station actually.

Clear with the information, I started to do the walking. Nothing had caught my interest.

I walked with no direction, and I reach at a street that had few Muslim restaurants. They were Kebab restaurants, of course. I went in to one of the restaurants, not really wanted to eat but basically just want to have a chitchat. Unfortunately, they unable to speak English at all. Not to be rude, I just bought a Doner Sandwich for 4,50 Euro and had my breakfast there.

 Malaysia Restaurant, don't think it's Halal

Breakfast done. Continued walking. Found a souvenir shop, bought some fridge magnets for 3,90 Euro each. There was one old man approached me. At first, he tried to talk in Deutsch. I told him I only speak English. Then he started the conversation in English while we were walking together. A very friendly man, interested when I said I was from Malaysia. He shakes my hand, kissed my hand, and after he said he wanted to hold my hands. Oh my God, this is weird. I’m not sure if it was normal here, but I tried to give excuse that I was cold and put my hands inside my pockets. We continued talking and walking. He wanted to go to the bank, asked me if I could wait for 10 minutes and he promised he'll be back to show me around. I was OK with that. There was a park near the bank with few monuments to take pictures. He came after 10 minutes and asked me to sit down.

He was trying to be honest. He said wanted to be more than friends. Despite that he was very gentleman, I was being as nice as possible to say NO to that unusual request without any specific reasons. After asked me few times and the answer was still NO, he accepted it and walked away and left me alone. Fuhh..crazy!

I continued walking around Frankfurt City.

Shopping street

I went back to the main station and spent my time there until 2.30 pm. I went to the bus stop to wait for the bus. It was a bus stop with a few stops, not a bus station, and it was at the roadside. The bus came on time. Estimated time of arrival in Zurich was 9.30 pm. It stopped almost every hour at different destinations along the way. The bus was equipped with Wifi and Online Inbus Entertainment, so that you won’t get bored. The bus fare was only 18,00 Euro using Meinfernbus.

The bus arrived at Zurich Carpark Shilquai exactly at 9.30 pm. I walked about 5 minutes to Zurich Hauptbahnhof and look for the train to Winterthur.