A splash of Cologne

March saw the IDS return to Cologne, and the dental world sweep over and consume the city. Booking probably the last vacant hotel room in the whole of the region, I then organised flights and packed for my little German adventure. My enthusiasm waned slightly when I realised just how early the flight out was, but I knew with a little careful organisation I could still get my much needed eight hours in and make it on time. A minor passport panic meant all my meticulous plans were out the window, and what should have been a leisurely stroll to the flight ended up a stress fuelled race through security and to my gate. The gate was officially closed when I arrived, and the haughty girl on the desk shook her head as she saw me approach. If there's ever a motivation to plan things better, it is undoubtedly the feeling you are being looked down on by Easyjet staff. I wasn't the last to arrive though; after the joy of a scramble for seats one final German couple boarded the plane. As they hadn't seen me arrive late, I felt well within my rights to tut in disapproval at them. They looked suitably guilty; I don't speak much German, but apparently a tut crosses the language barrier.