Second Holland Holiday (6)
The party tonight was totally free, because Marco knew the owner. I think the owner was Wilma's father, but I could be mistaken.
Either way, free alcohol always makes for a great night! When we got there the band was still setting up and they were still
preparing the long table for the food. We went to the back near where the entertainment and food would be, but I didn't see Peter.
But I knew he would be there, so in the meantime I just stayed right next to Marco as much as possible. We ended up at a table with
about 4 other men that Marco knew, one of which was the slow kisser from when we arrived. He kind of reminded me of (excuse the
spelling) Yakoff Smirnoff, the Russian comedian. As soon as we sat down, the beer started flowing and never stopped all evening.
The men were very polite and friendly and kept the conversation going non-stop. Yakoff (I'll just call him that) was talking to me all
evening about his travels around the world and to America. He told me how when he was in Texas, he was rolling a cigarette and
ended up in jail, no questions asked, for rolling a joint. Bummer! hahaha
By the time Peter and Wilma arrived we were pretty well on our way to being pleasantly numb. The singer they had was really
good. Once again though, it surprised me how many American songs they played. And when they started playing old songs like,
John Denver and stuff, the whole damn bar sang along! hahaha I just laughed and couldn't believe I was sitting in a bar for a New
Years party listening to people sing their hearts out to Take Me Home Country Roads! They sang a lot of Dutch songs also though.
Which brings me to my favorite part of the evening. They were singing a very slow, pretty song in Dutch, which I was happy just
sitting listening to, even though I didn't know what they were saying. Well, Marco leaned over, held my hand, and starting
translating the words for me. So I would hear the singer sing them, then I would hear Marco whispering the sweet words in my ear.
Omigosh I had goosebumps through the entire song. He was so sweet and this was most definitely the most romantic thing he had
ever done for me. I'll never forget it as long as I live. If I was 'into' public displays of affection, I would have kissed him right then
and there. But, I'm not, so I didn't.
I had a fabulous time all evening. Even when we were taking bets whether one person was a girl or a guy! It really was hard to
tell, but I eventually watched which bathroom it went into and it ended up being a she. Scary scary scary! Marco had a good time as
well. He and Peter laughed all night long, and I loved being able to watch that. We stayed until the wee hours of the morning, then
decided it was time to go. Marco had them call a cab for us and we went home. Through tonight I had enjoyed all of the
celebrations we had attended over the past week, but I was glad they were over. I'm too old for all of that!
I only had 2 days left before I went back home, so the next day we decided just to stay at home. We played some games, watched
some tv, played on the computer, and found other things to entertain us. It was nice just spending time alone. The following day was
pretty much the same. I gathered and packed my things so they would be ready in the morning. It was still sad, like last time, but not
as bad. This time I knew we would see each other again, because Marco already had his ticket.
When Conny and Jan got home from work we went to visit them for a while so I could say good-bye, and then went to visit Peter
and Wilma for a little bit. We had a nice visit, and I got to hear lots of Marco stories, which I always love. Peter is a good person,
and a very good friend to Marco. As it started getting later, we needed to get going because my flight left really early in the morning.
The trip to the airport was once again sad, but I managed to keep all tears inside. It made things much easier knowing when we
would be seeing each other again. But we were still both more quiet than we had been during my entire visit. It's ok though, I kind
of liked it that way. We had such a good time together, just like we had the first time. With the exception of those horrible 4 hours of
hell, every minute was wonderful. And we had already said any and everything that we possibly could have wanted to tell each
other. I was leaving very happy. Getting a chance to see each other again so soon gave us a new hope. And starting the new year
together was only the beginning.
Once again I checked in my luggage and then we sat and got coffee before I had to leave. No tears this time, only smiles and
comforting words from both of us. As we were walking to the customs counter however, I again wanted so badly to just turn around
and stay. But of course I couldn't. As Marco stood next to me in line, I was thinking how proud I was of myself for not crying. Then I
looked at him, with sadness in his eyes, for the first time all day. As I looked at him all I could hear was him saying, "No tears this
time ok Dawn? Please? We need to be happy." That's when just a few tears fell, but, I was still smiling. We kissed, said good-bye,
and I walked away. As I was walking through the hallway to get to my gate, I should have been thinking of everything that had
happened over the past 2 weeks, but instead I found myself hoping to Gawd that the old hag from Texas wasn't going to be on my
return flight! I knew I would have 8 1/2 hours up in the air to think of everything else, so I didn't feel too guilty. Continue
Either way, free alcohol always makes for a great night! When we got there the band was still setting up and they were still
preparing the long table for the food. We went to the back near where the entertainment and food would be, but I didn't see Peter.
But I knew he would be there, so in the meantime I just stayed right next to Marco as much as possible. We ended up at a table with
about 4 other men that Marco knew, one of which was the slow kisser from when we arrived. He kind of reminded me of (excuse the
spelling) Yakoff Smirnoff, the Russian comedian. As soon as we sat down, the beer started flowing and never stopped all evening.
The men were very polite and friendly and kept the conversation going non-stop. Yakoff (I'll just call him that) was talking to me all
evening about his travels around the world and to America. He told me how when he was in Texas, he was rolling a cigarette and
ended up in jail, no questions asked, for rolling a joint. Bummer! hahaha
By the time Peter and Wilma arrived we were pretty well on our way to being pleasantly numb. The singer they had was really
good. Once again though, it surprised me how many American songs they played. And when they started playing old songs like,
John Denver and stuff, the whole damn bar sang along! hahaha I just laughed and couldn't believe I was sitting in a bar for a New
Years party listening to people sing their hearts out to Take Me Home Country Roads! They sang a lot of Dutch songs also though.
Which brings me to my favorite part of the evening. They were singing a very slow, pretty song in Dutch, which I was happy just
sitting listening to, even though I didn't know what they were saying. Well, Marco leaned over, held my hand, and starting
translating the words for me. So I would hear the singer sing them, then I would hear Marco whispering the sweet words in my ear.
Omigosh I had goosebumps through the entire song. He was so sweet and this was most definitely the most romantic thing he had
ever done for me. I'll never forget it as long as I live. If I was 'into' public displays of affection, I would have kissed him right then
and there. But, I'm not, so I didn't.
I had a fabulous time all evening. Even when we were taking bets whether one person was a girl or a guy! It really was hard to
tell, but I eventually watched which bathroom it went into and it ended up being a she. Scary scary scary! Marco had a good time as
well. He and Peter laughed all night long, and I loved being able to watch that. We stayed until the wee hours of the morning, then
decided it was time to go. Marco had them call a cab for us and we went home. Through tonight I had enjoyed all of the
celebrations we had attended over the past week, but I was glad they were over. I'm too old for all of that!
I only had 2 days left before I went back home, so the next day we decided just to stay at home. We played some games, watched
some tv, played on the computer, and found other things to entertain us. It was nice just spending time alone. The following day was
pretty much the same. I gathered and packed my things so they would be ready in the morning. It was still sad, like last time, but not
as bad. This time I knew we would see each other again, because Marco already had his ticket.
When Conny and Jan got home from work we went to visit them for a while so I could say good-bye, and then went to visit Peter
and Wilma for a little bit. We had a nice visit, and I got to hear lots of Marco stories, which I always love. Peter is a good person,
and a very good friend to Marco. As it started getting later, we needed to get going because my flight left really early in the morning.
The trip to the airport was once again sad, but I managed to keep all tears inside. It made things much easier knowing when we
would be seeing each other again. But we were still both more quiet than we had been during my entire visit. It's ok though, I kind
of liked it that way. We had such a good time together, just like we had the first time. With the exception of those horrible 4 hours of
hell, every minute was wonderful. And we had already said any and everything that we possibly could have wanted to tell each
other. I was leaving very happy. Getting a chance to see each other again so soon gave us a new hope. And starting the new year
together was only the beginning.
Once again I checked in my luggage and then we sat and got coffee before I had to leave. No tears this time, only smiles and
comforting words from both of us. As we were walking to the customs counter however, I again wanted so badly to just turn around
and stay. But of course I couldn't. As Marco stood next to me in line, I was thinking how proud I was of myself for not crying. Then I
looked at him, with sadness in his eyes, for the first time all day. As I looked at him all I could hear was him saying, "No tears this
time ok Dawn? Please? We need to be happy." That's when just a few tears fell, but, I was still smiling. We kissed, said good-bye,
and I walked away. As I was walking through the hallway to get to my gate, I should have been thinking of everything that had
happened over the past 2 weeks, but instead I found myself hoping to Gawd that the old hag from Texas wasn't going to be on my
return flight! I knew I would have 8 1/2 hours up in the air to think of everything else, so I didn't feel too guilty. Continue
