Just when we thought we can relax, after the party had finished at 9pm and all the goodbyes had been said several times, and we had got home and into bed at about midnight, we had a reminder that we cannot relax until all the dancers have finally left the country. Last year a girl had her passport stolen and had to stay another two days whilst her Embassy got another one sorted, so of course we had to arrange further accommodation and lend her some more cash. This year tops that though. At 3am I get a text from one of the Maltese girls to let me know that the Japanese girl sharing with her and her friend had been taken very ill, and an ambulance had come and taken her off to hospital, and that being Japanese they needed paying either by insurance or cash (EEC member states have the European Health Card which I hope all of you have got if you are European). So Daria and I woke up and started making the phone calls to locate which hospital she had been taken to. We finally found her at 3.30 in a very good hospital in Prague 8 (where Vaclav Havel had his stomach operation). She had been put on a drip to rehydrate her and it was thought to be suspected food poisoning. We asked them to let her know that we knew she was there and we would be in touch at 9am. So at 8am I get a call directly from the girl who is trying to check out of the hospital to catch her flight at 12.50 back to Tokyo, but does not understand what they are saying to her about the money etc. Daria talks to the doctor and we then tell the girl that I am on my way in a taxi to pay them and sort it all out. Well when I get there she looks terrible and I am thinking that travel is not such a good idea, however when she sees me she looks so relieved she even smiles. I sort out all the money (Kc7500) plus we get a seperate bill from the ambulance (Kc2000) which I will send onto her in Japan later, but right now we need a taxi to the hostel and then pack before the airport. Slowly she starts to look a bit better with some fresh air and moving around. The doctors report, and this morning’s blood test results, show that it was not food poisoning, there was never any temperature and throat problems and they diagnose cronic de-hydration. Back at the hostel the two Maltese girls help her pack and bring her back downstairs to me (who in the middle of all this had run out of credit on my local phone so had had to run to the bank to top it up at an ATM), I then called yet another cab and we headed off to the airport. After checking in just in time we got her through passport control and I told her to text me as soon as she lands at the other end. I also told her to drink as much as possible very slowly over the next 14 hours. She told me that she hoped that I didn’t think that she would now dislike her time in Prague, because she had had one of the best weeks ever. She also told me that she had never felt so pleased to see someone as when I walked into the hospital ward to get her.
Daria meanwhile (also with no sleep) had to set off to a filming at the State Opera House, part documentery on her and part advert for this EEC promotion drive by the government. Chris Hampson’s TBA and a bit of Swan Lake. Anyway the cameraman/director nipped out for a spot of lunch from Tesco’s and promptly gets arrested for shop lifting, even though he has the receipt, ( I think it was mistaken identity) and phones Daria up from his prison cell to apologise for the slight delay this will cause. He got out two hours later and they managed to complete the filming. What a day!!
Three things to get from this that are very important to all dancers. Have medical insurance or your EEC Health Card with you at all times whilst abroad. Secondly drink lots of water all day throughout all classes especially when it is hot. Water is available all around the building and in the canteen, use it. And finally avoid Tesco’s at lunchtime.
I promise to post Daria’s week two videos as soon as possible.
Ian
