First flight from ABQ to ORD was delayed because of "mechanical" problems. One of the on-board computers was not functioning correctly. It caused an hour and a half delay leaving Albuquerque. We had a scheduled two-hour layover in Chicago, but still missed the connection. We had to wait in the penalty box on the tarmac in Chicago for about twenty minutes before our plane could get to an open gate. When we deplaned, we saw on the departures screen that our flight was closed, but it was still listed on the screen so we hurried in that direction just in case they would let us on. However, before we got to the gate, our flight disappeared from the listing. United rebooked us on a Lufthansa flight that was leaving about four hours later. I was disappointed to be on Lufthansa because they do not have as much legroom in the coach seats. We had upgraded to Economy Plus on United, but that was not available on Lufthansa. We were not able to get seats together except in the center of the center section, so we chose to sit separately with each of us having an aisle seat. As it turned out, we both had agreeable seatmates so the flight was about as pleasant as possible considering those conditions.

The last flight had to be rebooked, too, which got us into Hamburg just in time to make it to the Park Hyatt Hotel to check in and get to the Apples Restaurant for our dinner reservation at 7:30 pm. We had planned to take a canal cruise on the same day we arrived, but we did not have time.

We waited beside the baggage claim belt and were able to retrieve two of our checked bags. When we checked in at Albuquerque, I checked two bags and Philip checked one. We had planned to just check one each, but I decided that I did not want to lug my extra bag after all, so I checked both and just carried on a small bag with my purse and computer. When we were getting ready to board the Lufthansa flight in Chicago, one of the gate agents eyed Philip's carry-on and asked to weigh it. It weighed over 13 kg, but their limit is 8 kg for carry-ons so he had to check it.

We were concerned about whether or not our luggage would be on the plane with us. Fortunately, of the four checked bags, we got two, one for each of us. Since we had not planned to check everything, we did not pack together expecting we would each have at least the items we were carrying in case the other got lost. At least we have one bag a piece with clean clothes. The airline provided a Dopp kit with basic toiletries, too.

Dinner at the Apples Restaurant was quite nice. It is a top-rated restaurant in Hamburg; number one on tripadvisor.com when I looked, and located inside the hotel, so it is perfect for a first night abroad. Then it is early to bed since we did not get much sleep on the plane. Hamburg is eight hours ahead of Albuquerque.