A marathon of connections

My third journey for a "Hollywood smile" started surprisingly calmly, for me. The only downside was that at that time of year there are no direct flights from Scotland, so instead of a film on the plane I had my own connection marathon. I left home at 6am and didn't check into the hotel in Izmir until 10pm. Same hotel, same me, just a bit more crumpled.

"First class" transport – but only from the airport

On the way I could already feel something had changed. The car from the airport was literally "first class" – leather seats, air conditioning, music, as if I'd booked a VIP package rather than a third visit as an "old regular". I suspect it was because everyone else was there for the first time.

A driver straight from an ad – opens the door, carries my and everyone else's bags to reception. That kind of transport, at least from airport to hotel, is standard here because in packages for international patients VIP transfer is already part of the "all inclusive" marketing.

Because ultimately it's not the car that matters most, but the quality of the dental work. And as it turned out, the two didn't necessarily go hand in hand.

Hotel – "You have no reservation"

All I dreamed of at that moment was jumping in the shower and resting before the first clinic visit. My turn came, I handed over my passport, and the receptionist with a smile: "Hey, what are you doing here, haven't you finished already?"

I replied: "Yes, but I came back because I'm struggling with terrible pain, so we'll see how my third visit goes."

Literally a minute later I hear: "You have no reservation."

I felt faint. "Seriously? Are you joking?" slipped out automatically. The receptionist looks at the computer, clicks something, frowns and repeats that everything must be fine.

Surprise in the room

I open the door and… shock. An enormous room with a big double bed, not a single one like last time. At first I thought they'd played a welcome prank on me with the whole reservation business.

I didn't analyse it too much. The only thing that mattered was that I could finally have a shower. Sleep was impossible anyway – the stress before the visit was eating me from the inside.

Morning – pain reminds you this isn't a holiday

In the morning I ambitiously went for a run, but had to come back quickly. Toothache reminded me this isn't an all-inclusive holiday, but a trip called "continuation of treatment".

My appointment was at 11:30, so I wanted to relax a little before sitting in the chair. I came down to reception before 11:00 because the driver was due at 11:00.

He arrived… at 11:45. The car – a miniature, supposedly for four people, but realistically three fitted. I was asked to wait for the next run.

The universe has a sense of humour

And indeed – some situations happen for our own good. The next driver arrived with only one other passenger. I could spread out in the seat like royalty, nobody's elbow was jabbing into my side, and I thought: "Alright, Universe, I see you do have a sense of humour after all."

Clinic – full waiting room and eyes full of fear

I walked into the clinic with a confident step, not entirely sure what was waiting for me. The waiting room was packed and people's eyes were fixed on each other – everyone a little scared, a little curious about what would happen to them here.