Flight to frankfurt was 8:30 in the morning, everyone got up ~4/4:30, finished our remaining pack up and took a cab to airport by 5:15 am. Everything went smooth for the most part and we were at our gates well in time.

While waiting at the airport, got some coffee & breakfast. Got to do FaceTime with sis and mom/dad. Everything went smooth with the flight, landed, went through a quick check of passports at the gate and were out with our carry-on for pickup. 

It was soooo good to see Tuli and Samarth!! Samarth was meeting sanjeev for the 1st time and Tuli was seeing him again since our marriage 15 years ago. Their home is just 10 mins away from the airport. As soon as we got home, Bono was so excited to see us and the kids absolutely loved him! R loved petting him and he loved it too!! Was meeting Riti for the first time and Chaiti since she was a baby.

Was soooo nice to hang out with all of them. Tuli has such a cute house, pics of the kiddos, family, friends everywhere. So warm and sweet. Riti had to give her room for our kiddos for the night. Both girls had to study for some exams coming up. They did hang out with us for a bit. Samarath made kadak chai, perfect after our flight.

We headed for a walk outside with Bono, so beautiful near their house. You walk across a bridge over the autobahn and its farms everywhere, bliss for Bono. Kids loved the walk, enjoyed holding on to Bono’s leash. The community has tiny parks for children on our way back, R played on a tire swing for a bit.

Got home and settled in for hot aloo parathas that Tuli warmed up. We seriously overate! We also sample Tuli’s daal, so yum! She has a special way of making it. It was good to eat hot Indian food after a week. We even started with some wine and whiskey. R settled in with some drawing and sketching and didn’t look like she would be game for going out of the house anymore. 

It worked out well, as we left her with both girls and headed to the Christmas market. The 4 adults along with Tanush headed out. It was super cold. I had no idea it could get this crowded but loved the holiday lights and spirit. We walked into a book store first where Tuli wanted to check gifts for the kiddos. There are no signs for English around here and simple things like finding a restroom would have been hard for me without Tuli.

We then went to an indoor store, a lot like Macy’s. Tuli bought an advent calendar for R and Tanush picked a 1500 piece puzzle as his gift, a scene of city in Spain. We then started walking to the heart of the Christmas market, wow super crowded. We first sample some mulled wine, hot and sweet. Felt quite warm and happy after that.

Next we tried some crepes with cheese and ham, a fried bread with cream cheese. Good food to go with the wine. Wrapped up with sampling food and headed back home. R had done well, Riti made some Maggie for her and she was happy with drawing and watching TV. Freshened up with shower and sat down to chat for some more time with alcohol and snacks. Was good to catch up on life during Covid, life in Germany etc.

Went to sleep and had to catch our flight the next day at 10 am. We had some garam chai at 6:30 in the morning and got to the airport by 8 am. Kiddos had some bread as well for very early breakfast.

All checks at the airport were smooth, boarded our flight by 10 am. Just before take off, we found out there was a technical issue. One thing led to another and we were sitting in the plane for 3 hrs without taking off. Thankfully it did take off and we reached SF at 2:45 pm instead of the original 12:30 pm. After take off everything was smooth, kids slept, watched movies etc. 

I finally watched Jordan peele’s “Us”, wasn’t as scary as I had thought but unexpected ending! I also watched “everything everywhere all at once” hilarious! Absolutely loved it 🤣

Phew! Took an Uber back to home sweet home. Ordered in dinner and everyone hit the bed early.