First day in Utrecht

Today started with a tiny bid of panic... After sleeping 4 out of the 9 hours on the international flight, we touched down in London at 10:13am local time. My next flight was from London international to Amsterdam which departed at 11:10am. Due to some sort of problem with the terminal, our plane didn't start unloading until 10:35.

On a side note, I was in the rear of a Boeing 777. Which meant there were plenty of people exiting the plane before me. Also, I was wearing a three quarter length wool coat with a dress shirt, blue jeans, and untied Reebok classics. I was carrying a 35 liter day pack along with a computer bag.

I didn't physically step off the plane until 10:43am. This allowed 27 minutes to find my terminal, gate, and flight before they stranded me high and dry (or standing on the ground). I was at a brisk walk from the gate to where I thought I needed to go and where I thought I needed to go really meant; I went the wrong way three or four times.

Soon after the mass confusion in the World's fourth busiest airport, I found my way to the correct terminal only to be stopped by a 20 person line for customs.

Those who don't know me, let me explain my perspiration habits. I sweat a lot. I'm not just saying that to sound funny, or make the situation sound worse. I really, really sweat a lot. I sweat when I walk. I sweat when I stand still. I sweat when I'm nervous, anxious, or simply excited.

So here I am, running through a very large airport, wearing heavy clothing, carrying too much to be comfortable. Then, coming to an abrupt halt at international security with roughly 15 minutes to catch my flight to Amsterdam.

Needless to say, I was a little nervous. Before I arrived at the scanner belt to load all my belongings, I had sweat through just about all of my clothing and was starting to feel a little woosey. Because; number 1. I thought I was going to miss my flight. Number 2. I hadn't eaten a good meal or drank a bottle of water in over 9 hours. And number 3. I didn't have a phone, nor anyone to call if I missed my flight.

Once through the checkpoint, I went the wrong way one more time and arrived at the appropriate gate at exactly 11:17am. MY FLIGHT WAS DELAYED 40 MINUTES AND WAS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE AT 11:50! I wasn't sure if I was over angered that I had to sprint through the airport or exuberantly happy that I didn't miss my flight. Regardless of what I felt at the time, I made it. In one piece and with all of my belongings.

The next step of the journey is another story to come...