I'm going to see my daughter in Germany 8 days and I feel frozen.?

Question

I am scared to go throught customs, scared to leave my husband and dogs (I never really go anywhere). I'll be gone a month. I afraid I'll cry all the way over there. I am just plain aold frightened. Can anyone help with ideas?

Answer 1

I guarantee that you won't cry all the way over. With all the changes in domestic travel lately, it has made going through customs even easier. It's a snap. As far as Germany goes, it is a beautiful country. The people are very friendly to Americans. Most of the travel is by trains so you can soak up all the scenery. I think you may mistaking fear for the butterflies. I am a very seasoned traveler and I still get butterflies. In fact, that is part of the fun, I hope they never go away. Enjoy it!

Answer 2

Don't know how old you are, but I feel the same way the older I get. I'm 42.   Sorry I don't have any advice for you, but I do know how you feel.    Once you get over with your daughter you may be distracted for a while from what you miss.  Do you have to stay a whole month?

Answer 3

Just make sure your trip is well planned out and you'll be able to relax. Check with the airport here and where you land in Germany for complete instructions on carryon bags and customs (you may be familiar with ours but theirs may be slightly different). Get a checklist for all the items you plan to bring and pack/organize them in advance so you won't forget anything. It will be hard to not see your husband and dogs for a month, but you'll get to spend time with your daughter. She should be able to help you with directions and airline procedures also. The good thing about Germany is that it is a modern country and the language is not completely unlike english (no offense to anyone, i love to travel), you should be able to speak to staff on the plane and the airport in english. Just relax and enjoy the trip!

Answer 4

Ya! Ummmm snap out of it!!! Jeez! Live a little!!!.... You should go paces and do things with your life!! Cant be cooped up forever..what kind of life style is that?

Answer 5

shake it off , its good too get away..

Answer 6

think of how fine it's gonna be to see your daughter!

Answer 7

What's there to be scared of??  Germany's a fantastic place to see, especially if you have a month to kill--I'd even recommend driving or taking the train to some of Germany's neighbors.  Where does your daughter live?  Hopefully she's already explored some of the nearest major German cities and has some day trips planned for you to see.  If you need some advice on what to see, how to get there, and neighboring countries worth a visit, by all means--send me an email.  I lived in Germany for more than three years (in Wiesbaden), and aggressively took every opportunity I could to travel someplace new whenever I could.  There's absolutely nothing to be scared of--you'll be safer in Germany than you are in the U.S., that's for sure (I'm assuming you're American).  The drivers are far, far more predictable than their American counterparts--I've been going NUTS since I returned to the U.S. about six months ago.  I got accustomed to the predictability of German drivers, not to mention their adherence to their own laws--something completely lacking in THIS country.  Customs is a breeze; look up the regulations for going through customs on the embassy/consulate website for finer details; but as long as your passport is current and you're not smuggling something of a contraband nature into the country, you'll find it's a h**l of a lot simpler to get into Germany than, say, Canada.  I'm sure your husband and dogs will be fine... can't your husband look after the dogs for a month?

That month will go quickly as long as you're busy and going and seeing things.  The three years I was there, in retrospect, went by like a flash... if I was in your shoes and about to go back there for a mouth, I'd be chomping at the bit right now!  It'll be fun, don't worry... like I said, if you want to know something about where you're going, feel free to ask me.

Answer 8

I think a couple of de-e-ep breaths will help. Then, try to think of this as an adventure! Adventures don't come too often in life, and this sounds like a great one! It's okay to be nervous, but think of all the great memories you're going to make with your daughter!! Have a great adventure!!!!

Answer 9

well thats awesome that you get to see your daughter well i have 2 answers 1 is maybe take your husband with  you and leave the dog with a family member  to take care of him then you would feel better or take a deep breath and calm down and think how happy your daughter is to see you so calm down and take a deep breath.

Answer 10

Why are you scared? I would not be scared. If you are with your daughter why be scared? Say a prayer before you leave and after you get there. Things will be fine. Worrying will ruin your trip. You to have fun so I would think of positive things. It is perfectly fine to cry when you see your daughter of when you leave. If you cry at any other time people will think you are weird or crazy. That may cause you problems when going through customs. Germany is not all that bad of a country. The pastor at the church I go to and his wife have gone there and so has my brother. They were not scared and thought Germany was a wonderful place.

How old are you? Have you ever flown before? Have you ever been to any other country besides the United States?

Answer 11

Relax, for starters....it's not like you'll be completely cut off from home.  There's email and phone, and while somewhat expensive, it's pretty easy to call the US from Germany.

As for customs & travelling, it's easier than you think.  At customs, they'll just check your passport, ask you a few questions (travelling for business or pleasure, anything to declare, etc.) and that's it.  Last fall, when I went to Germany, it took me a whopping 10 minutes to get through customs.

Your husband & dogs will be fine, and since you're staying with your daughter, checking in with them should be no problem.

A month is a long time to be gone for your first trip (which I'm assuming this is), but you may be surprised how short it seems.  Embrace the experience; no everything will not be like home.  It's not supposed to be.  Let your daughter be your guide, but don't be afraid to venture out on your own once in a while.  Germany is a beautiful country, and generally very-visitor friendly.  the Germans themselves tend to be a bit more formal than most Americans, but they're friendly people who are usually willing to help out.

Really, though, there's no reason to be afriad.  To make yourself more comfortable, get online & do a little reading about the place you're going.  One of my favorite pages is htttp://www.bensbauernhof.com -- it's just a bunch of folks from the US who like traveling in Germany, Bavaria in particular.

You've got a fantastic trip ahead of you, and everyone's afraid of the unknown or unfamiliar.  For a first time overseas trip, you're going to a relative's, and you're going to one of the safer and more tourist-friendly places in Europe.

So just relax, trust your daughter, learn a little about where you're going, and enjoy the experience!!  :o)