How many times have you seen people running through the airport and you thought to yourself ’ Oh Lol. That wll never be me’? I’ve done it plenty of times only today that crazy person dashing through the airport chanting a number was me.  We did everything by the book, the only glitch in our plans was the bus. My dance partner and I checked in with 3 minutes to go. Due to the wait in security and the ridiculous search I was subjected too I had to send my dance partner ahead of me to try to hold our flight.

As I was running I noticed that my gate had closed five minutes ago. I had to run from one end of Gatwick to the other. I needed to get to gate 48 and by the time I was past 60 I was in full out tears (keep in mind it’s 5am). As I passed gate 53 I felt the world tilt and I had that terrible realization that I was actually going to faint in the middle of the stupid airport. My flight would leave without me, I wouldn’t make it to the ball, and I would wind up on Daily Mail with the headlines “Dramatic Moment at Gatwick Caught on Film- American Faints” and the comments would question DM for not taking the chance to use the word Hilarious properly.

Suddenly this man comes out of nowehere and grabs me by the arm and lifts me up. Without him I could never have made my flight because he helped me run/walk the rest of the way. I got to my gate and my dance partner had successfully held the flight. I scared everyone again by shoving my passport at the attendant and dropping to the ground. ANYWAY, drama aside, 38 minutes later (well done Pilot, I have no idea how that was possible!) I arrive in Amsterdam. Another 40 minutes later and I’m in Haarlem.

I learnt a lot from the Dutch today and I think I should share these life lessons with you:

1) Never get in the way of a Dutch person on a bicycle. You will die.

2) Dutch people don’t feel the cold. It was -1c (30f) and my lips were blue and people are walking around without hats on their heads. I have jealously issues. I look like the marshmallow man and people are in leggings. I mean pft ice on that ground? Whatever that’s not what that is!

3) Did I mention there is a bike lane and it’s not for pedestrians?

4) Even though the tea comes in a clear glass, it’s amazing.

5) Chocolate. Need I say more?

6) BIKE. LANE. ONLY.

7) Tall. Really tall. And really lovely. They even smile and forgive me when I cheerfully butcher their language by trying to have a conversation.

Tomorrow we will all assemble and have a wonder around in our proper 19th century promenade gear and then prepare for the ball later that evening! I made a new dress and I can’t wait to share it with you all!