On Sunday, September 21, 2025, our Vast25 adventure to the United States officially began. Bright and far too early in the morning, we gathered at the airport in Berlin. Despite some nervous talk about a recent cyberattack, check-in was surprisingly smooth. With no staff interaction needed, we simply dropped off our luggage and went hunting for food. At 6 a.m. the options were limited, but in the spirit of “when in America,” we started with fast food. Nothing says ready for the U.S. like a burger for breakfast.
The security check was equally painless—though we were a little thrown off when asked to take off our shoes. Apparently, this is standard, but at 6 a.m., unlacing sneakers felt like an extreme sport.
Because of bad weather, our flight left late. By the time we landed in Frankfurt, we had to run to catch our connecting flight to the U.S. Ironically, the visa check (which we all expected to be very strict) was surprisingly casual. Confused but relieved, we hurried on board.
The long-haul flight itself was… long. For many of us, it was our first time flying across the Atlantic, and the hours seemed endless. But after movie, naps and airplane meals, we finally touched down at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C..
Passport control went smoothly—until it didn’t. Just minutes later, we were picked out for an additional security screening. A uniformed officer escorted us into a separate room, and nerves kicked in. Luckily, it turned out to be nothing dramatic: our luggage was scanned again, and we were cleared without any issues.
With that behind us, we hopped onto the Metro to reach our hotel. By the time we checked in, jet lag was hitting hard. Still, we couldn’t resist a quick evening stroll. A local friend guided us through the city streets, and seeing Washington, D.C. lit up at night was unforgettable—monuments glowing, the air buzzing with life. Our first stop was of course Taco Bell. Just waited for it.
By 10 p.m., we finally collapsed into our beds. Exhausted, yes—but also excited. The trip had only just begun, and already it felt like the start of something memorable.
