You are indeed a born writer!
I grabbed the cards, grabbed the shirts, and ran through the streets of Lille like a madman with all my luggage in tow. I made it onto the bus literally two minutes before it pulled away from the stop. This, after every obstacle gets thrown your way. Some people give up in frustration. Some just keep trying. You remind me of Lt. Dan on the mast of that ship during the hurricane, shaking his fist at God: "Bring it on!" - keep writing, and thank heaven for bright young minds like you navigating the cyber world as well as the publishing world and the sandy beaches and air travel and...