Airborne March

On Saturday, September 5, 2009, I participated in the world's largest 1-day March; Airborne Wandeltocht. The march was created 63 years ago to commemorate war veterans who fought in the Battle of Arnhem during WWII. English, Polish and Dutch military veterans as well as 30,000 civilians from 15 different countries march alongside you. The 5-25 Km trail is laid out through several villages within Renkum along the battlefields and drop zones of Operation Market Garden of September 1944.

When I learned of this from Wietse's mom, I agreed to sign up immediately. I know that this would be a great way to participate in the history of my new culture. Thankfully, we chose the 10 km (6 miles)walk rather than the 25 km (15.5 miles).

On the morning of Saturday, I woke at 7:45am at Wietse's mom house. I felt pressured for time as I got ready, but was reassured by Marianne to take my time. "If you need more time then you need more time and we just leave when you are done." Not keeping a strict schedule still boggles my mind, but I have also found that the Dutch build extra time into their relaxed schedule. However, this is unlike the US where we are always trying to optimize the time we do have.

Bjorn's (Wietse's brother) girlfriend Nicole, Marianne, and I were dropped off by Wietse at Marianne's friend house. I was anxious to get to the march as I still did not know what to expect. But before then, we went to have coffee (again). Alas, we were on our way and since everyone was speaking in Dutch, I had to ask Nicole numerous times, have we began the march yet? We walked probably 4 km just to get to the start. There were marching bands, soldiers everywhere, and well 30,000 people. I felt patriotic today - not for the US or not for the Netherlands, but for mankind. It was a great feeling!

As we walked through the forest there were many hills to climb and obstacles to cross. From time to time, you would here, "Linx, Linx, Linx, twee, drie, vier" and then soldiers would come up from behind you. Or I loved when the villages would have Dj's hoisted into the air to mix music for the walkers. After only walking 3 km, which I thought had been 6 km, I realized that I need to get into shape. It rained quickly a couple of times, but otherwise, the weather was beautiful. I also improved my Dutch after listening to it for 6 hours. My feet and mind were exhausted, but I received my second wind at the finish line when thousands of people were waiting to greet the walkers with flowers. I also received a lovely medal.

Flowers are very beautiful and cheap in Holland. For a 12 dozen bouqet of gerber daisies or roses, you pay 5 EUR. Anything else is 3-4 EUR. Wietse met me with sunflowers. And then the celebration and drinking began. We ended the evening with fitting 6 grown adults in an European sized Volkswagon. For the first time, I was the smallest person, so I was the lucky one to lay across the 3 people in the back (Marianne, Bjorn and Nicole). I felt even worse AFTER the "All you Can Eat Chinese Wok" restaurant. All you can eat is rare to find in the Netherlands and the Dutch love it - because they can get their money's worth and then some more.

It was a great night and well worth it, even after wakng up the next day having difficulty to walk.