My most dangerous game
So there I was, in Nieuwegein. It was approximately 9:15 p.m. Not a good place to be at that time of night, especially for a girl. But I didn’t mind. I had just got out of my Dutch conversation course. I had already walked the dark 15 minutes from the college to the tram station, where I’d board the tram that would take me within five minutes of my house. It is safer than riding a bike in the dark. That’s what I’ve been told. I believe that.
The tram station that I was waiting at is kind of in the center of a mall. Of course, at that time of night the mall is closed. There are few people around, and sometimes those few aren’t very nice looking. But that doesn’t bother me. Maybe sometimes my heart will shake inside of me, but it doesn’t matter as long as they don’t see it on the outside.
Well, there I was, waiting. I knew already that it might be a long wait because this particular tram stop services two different trams. One heads into IJsslestein, my destination. The other heads into South Nieuwegein. The tram for South Nieuwegein comes first. So, I am obliged to stand there longer.
My Tuesday night Nieuwegein experience is something that I enjoy, actually. It’s a bit of a game to me. Even when there might be a questionable character hanging around, I can find amusement out of it. This particular night I was wearing a hat. I also had a half back-pack half purse sort of thing with me. I arrived after my dark walk, and the games begun. I walked briskly up the stairs at the station, and chose an area to lean up against the wall. The place all around me was dirty. Filthy. Chewed gum was strewn across the ground. You could see where somebody had recently spit. Cigarettes were littered about. And there I stood, leaning against the wall. My game, in my mind, had begun.
What game can you play in the middle of a not-very-safe tram station late at night? My game starts out with watching. I watch the people all around me. This particular night there was a man further down on my left. He was talking to two kids, a boy and a girl. They should’ve been home doing homework, but there they were. He was trying to offer them money. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but I wasn’t really comfortable with the situation. I had half a mind to tell the man to scram and leave the kids alone. But I didn’t. I just watched. Finally, their tram came (not mine) and the boy and girl left, laughing and provoking the man. They seemed to know him, so I took it easy. The man began walking my way. I turned my eyes towards the ground, turned my mouth into a slight frown, and stood as much with an attitude as is possible. My goal: look ugly, uninteresting, unintimidated, and bored. Before he was able to walk by he turned and joined a couple people back on the other end. That was fine. My game continued.
There was a guy not far on my right. By this time I pulled out a book…”The picture of Dorian Gray”. I made sure to fold over the cover so that nobody would see the English on it. I was also often looking up to look around. This guy on the right was often looking my way, but that didn’t bother me because to watch what was going on the other side he’d have to look past me. No big deal. After awhile the guy pulled out his telephone. I think I had dared to make eye contact for a few seconds by this time, one part of the game that I’m not really good at yet. Anyway, he started playing music on his telephone. It sounded like Arabian music. Hmmm…interesting. It was loud. I listened, stared off into space, but remained ever vigilant, always aware of what’s going on. In not too long a time my game was over. The tram came, and even though there are still more people on the train, some of them the same ones as at the stop, the game has more or less ended. Sitting on the tram is like watching the credits at the end of the movie. Maybe you’ll occasionally see some bloopers, something funny or interesting, but really it’s over.
When I first learned about what time I’d be taking the courses I was extremely bothered by it. I was worried. Now, even though it’s only been two weeks, I do believe that I’m almost looking forward to it. The courses are very interesting and I learn a lot. And my game is amusing. It’s one that I hope that I’ll always remember how to play. I’m sure I’ll need it in certain places. And the better I can play, the more fun the game will be.
The tram station that I was waiting at is kind of in the center of a mall. Of course, at that time of night the mall is closed. There are few people around, and sometimes those few aren’t very nice looking. But that doesn’t bother me. Maybe sometimes my heart will shake inside of me, but it doesn’t matter as long as they don’t see it on the outside.
Well, there I was, waiting. I knew already that it might be a long wait because this particular tram stop services two different trams. One heads into IJsslestein, my destination. The other heads into South Nieuwegein. The tram for South Nieuwegein comes first. So, I am obliged to stand there longer.
My Tuesday night Nieuwegein experience is something that I enjoy, actually. It’s a bit of a game to me. Even when there might be a questionable character hanging around, I can find amusement out of it. This particular night I was wearing a hat. I also had a half back-pack half purse sort of thing with me. I arrived after my dark walk, and the games begun. I walked briskly up the stairs at the station, and chose an area to lean up against the wall. The place all around me was dirty. Filthy. Chewed gum was strewn across the ground. You could see where somebody had recently spit. Cigarettes were littered about. And there I stood, leaning against the wall. My game, in my mind, had begun.
What game can you play in the middle of a not-very-safe tram station late at night? My game starts out with watching. I watch the people all around me. This particular night there was a man further down on my left. He was talking to two kids, a boy and a girl. They should’ve been home doing homework, but there they were. He was trying to offer them money. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but I wasn’t really comfortable with the situation. I had half a mind to tell the man to scram and leave the kids alone. But I didn’t. I just watched. Finally, their tram came (not mine) and the boy and girl left, laughing and provoking the man. They seemed to know him, so I took it easy. The man began walking my way. I turned my eyes towards the ground, turned my mouth into a slight frown, and stood as much with an attitude as is possible. My goal: look ugly, uninteresting, unintimidated, and bored. Before he was able to walk by he turned and joined a couple people back on the other end. That was fine. My game continued.
There was a guy not far on my right. By this time I pulled out a book…”The picture of Dorian Gray”. I made sure to fold over the cover so that nobody would see the English on it. I was also often looking up to look around. This guy on the right was often looking my way, but that didn’t bother me because to watch what was going on the other side he’d have to look past me. No big deal. After awhile the guy pulled out his telephone. I think I had dared to make eye contact for a few seconds by this time, one part of the game that I’m not really good at yet. Anyway, he started playing music on his telephone. It sounded like Arabian music. Hmmm…interesting. It was loud. I listened, stared off into space, but remained ever vigilant, always aware of what’s going on. In not too long a time my game was over. The tram came, and even though there are still more people on the train, some of them the same ones as at the stop, the game has more or less ended. Sitting on the tram is like watching the credits at the end of the movie. Maybe you’ll occasionally see some bloopers, something funny or interesting, but really it’s over.
When I first learned about what time I’d be taking the courses I was extremely bothered by it. I was worried. Now, even though it’s only been two weeks, I do believe that I’m almost looking forward to it. The courses are very interesting and I learn a lot. And my game is amusing. It’s one that I hope that I’ll always remember how to play. I’m sure I’ll need it in certain places. And the better I can play, the more fun the game will be.
posted by Sarah Riendeau @ 10/17/2005 10:07:00 PM
0 comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home