(Contributed by Noriko)
 
I’ve arrived at the airport safely and had been waiting for him for over 3 hours. I’d been getting worried.
 
I tried to call his mobile, but I couldn’t catch him. I was feeling lonely and frustrated, but I couldn’t stay like this forever.
 
After 4 hours waiting, I’ve decided to book accommodation for the night. I went to the travel information desk and asked for the cheapest and closest hotel possible.
 
When I was at the ticket desk, my friend had finally arrived.
 
When I saw him, I felt very relieved and but I was also a bit annoyed.
 
‘You said you would pick me up at 2 pm!! How could you do that!’
 
‘Sorry, but you didn’t say that you were going to the Stansted airport!!! I went to Heathrow airport first, and then I checkd the flight and found it didn’t go to Heathrow, so I had to drive two hours to here to pick you up!!!’
 
I didn’t know that London has five international airports!!!
 
I’ve never thought about that.
 
Of course, I had to buy him dinner to say a big thank you!
 
思い込みって怖いですね。アジアもいくつか旅行したことがあったのですが、ひとつの街に国際空港が５つもあるところに行ったことが無かったので、当時は考えもしませんでした。あの時の心細さは忘れません。
 
でも、それから数十年たった今、笑えるエピソードとして何度となく語ることができるので、まあいいか、と思えます。（やって良かったとは、いまだに思えませんが。）
 
皆様も、ヨーロッパの都市からロンドンへお越しの際には、くれぐれもどこの空港になるのか、しっかり確認しましょう。