Trip to Dresden....getting there

Found out on Thursday December 9, 2010 that I was traveling to Dresden Germany on Saturday December 11th till January 4, 2011.  The scramble was on to get house and dogs taken care of during the trip, get some warmer clothes, and pack.  Mission accomplished ready to go at 5:00 pm December 11, 2010 for a 7:45 pm flight out of RIC,  to connect with a 9:45 pm flight out of Dulles.  We got to the airport super early to find out that our 7:45 pm flight is running late out of Chicago.  We only had an hour layover in Dulles and would not make our connection if we wait for this flight.   When life gives you lemons, make lemon drops!  We rented a car and drove to Dulles....made it to the gate with fourteen minutes to spare.   Yeah!  And away we go to Frankfurt.....long flight not great movies and not enough water.  Note to self grab a couple of bottles for the trip home!  Landed in Frankfurt at 11:50 connection 13:00.  Off the plane, on the tram, through passport control, through a crazy long security line, chosen as a random pat down......oh so personal, we got to the gate at 12:50.....flight was already gone.  No kidding you can't make this up....... OK out to the main corridor to get re-ticketed. Next flight 16:45......back through security....again chosen to  receive a random pat down search.......... it is so time for some wine!  I had a lovely glass of white wine.....super yummy I believe it was from the Burgundy region of  France....so good I had another and a giant pretzel.  Off to the gate......we do not want to miss this flight.  Boarding started at 16:00 in the air by 16:30.  Note to those traveling in Germany anytime soon.  Be early!  We arrived in Dresden around 15:45, picked up our luggage, which made it, and get our rental car.  Out to the garage to pick up the car, it is a standard transmission, oh it has been so long since we have driven a standard.  Ten minutes later we have "mastered" the transmission and are off.  30 minutes later through the snow with less than accurate directions we arrive at our hotel. Park the car, in to lobby to check it........you guessed it, no record of our reservation, but the front desk server was wonderful and got us into a room around 16:45.  It was quite an adventure getting here but it is super beautiful!  Tomorrow I will recap my attempt to learn the tram system.  Oh did I note,  I do not speak or read a word of German!
Best wishes,
Jill