Ingolf Lueck is a TV presenter, entertainer and frequent traveller. He answered our questions with his usual nonchalance and great humour.
Ingolf, how important is travelling for you?
I was born in Bielefeld/Germany, East Westphalia, as a Taurus. Westphalians are not what you would call migratory birds. They are considered down-to-earth and rather sober. If they spread their wings and have to travel 70 km to Münster, they will have packed their suitcase weeks in advance and left it on the sideboard. They want to be prepared!
Things, however, turned out differently for me when I hosted a travel game show for TV, which lead to me almost exploring the entire world. That was hard work, which my 25 swimming trunks from around the world can proclaim. And it’s still difficult for my family today: when the family council plans a holiday trip, Dad yawns at the sight of the brochures – “I’ve already been there,” and the planned trip is over.
How much do you travel for work and for pleasure?
As a media worker, I have been on tour professionally for 40 years. Sometimes there is a production in Hamburg, Munich or Castrop-Rauxel, then after, it’s off to New Zealand, Mumbai or New York for a live broadcast of Christmas shopping at Bloomingdale’s.
I distinguish between travelling (professionally) and going away (privately), however I still always carry a guitar or my saxophone in my luggage, for practice reasons. I can fold the guitar so small that it fits into the overhead compartments, and a saxophone on the beach just sounds great.
When you travel for business, do you prefer the train or the plane?
I always sit in the forbidden gold and platinum seats on the train. These are in first class directly in front of the dining car, and so far it has always worked
out great for me. Before that, I disinfect the greasy pillows and help tidy up the empty goulash soup tureens, handkerchiefs and forgotten, owner-less charging cables.
I prefer flying with Singapore Airlines. The seating class is not important to me.
Do you work on your travels, e.g. during the flight? Are there must-haves on board?
Well, I pack the laptop, but I don’t have to. A must-have for a middle seat is the thick weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”. I can easily aquire both armrests for myself.
Do you have any flying rituals? What do you always take with you?
Before entering the plane, I knock on the metal three times outside, preferably leave my belongings in the overhead lockers above the business seats, but only when the stewardess is not looking. Then
I sit in the aisle, where else at 190cm in height. And I’m – excuse me – a total tomato juice drinker.
Are you a member of any frequent flyer or points programmes?
Yup, Miles & More. I’m currently in the process of flying off my 700,000 miles in small doses.
What must a business hotel have for you?
I always carry a square key so I can open the window. In the shower, I would like to have just one button for hot and one for cold again. What am I supposed to do with three shower heads and 25 settings if I don’t wear glasses? The same goes for light switches – on/off is all I need. And please don’t put that rubbery cover on the mattress – I’m not a baby, you guys!
Spleens? What do you always take with you to a hotel?
I am extremely sensitive to noise and therefore am commonly booked directly next lifts, a 12-lane motorway, between two housekeeping rooms, above the disco, the kitchen or next to a couple on their honeymoon. Thus, I always have my silicone earplugs with me. But I have to warm them in my hand under the covers for 20 minutes to make them fit in my ear… and after 15 minutes I’m usually asleep.
Are you always online when you’re on holiday? Do you choose hotels based on whether their Wi-Fi works?
I like to log into other guests’ mobile phones in the rooms next door. That’s where the hacker in me comes out: Helmuthsiphone@helmi1234.
Describe your travel motto in one sentence.
“For I’m the type of boy who is always on the run, wherever I lay my hat that’s my home, I’m telling you that’s my home.” (Marvin Gaye, 1962)
Thank you very much, Ingolf, for the rigorous exchange!
Ingolf Lück … is at home on all screens and stages in German-speaking countries, from the legendary 1980s video show “Formel Eins” and the cult Sat.1 “Wochenshow” to winning Dancing Star 2018. He is currently appearing on German stages in his solo programme “Sehr erfreut!’, the media satire “Seite Eins – a play for one man and a smartphone” and the play “Brauchen Sie ‘ne Quittung”.
Foto: Urban Ruths Photography
