I woke up to two beckoning adventures.  The first was an all-morning Dutch class, my second at Level Two.  The teacher Jelle is so nice and often so incomprehensible.  She speaks basic Dutch slowly … but I listen even more slowly!  It’s so humbling.

Today we started exploring the past tense.  As an example, switching from “I walk” to “I walked” is “Ik wandel” to “Ik heb gewandeld”.  My mind rebels.

It’s probably not true that all the other students were nodding as Jelle presented new material.  It just seemed that way.

We had a test after the break, focusing on family relationships, such as “grandmother”, “cousin” and “father-in-law”.

I’m ready!

I wasn’t.

I was presented with a Dutch paragraph about family, chock full of words I didn’t know.  And grammar that was over my horizon.  I panicked … and then remembered that breathing is a good thing.

It was multiple choice plus writing about family members and friends, including what they’re good at and what they like to do.

I stumbled through the test, occasionally resting within humility but mostly tight as a drum.  It brought bittersweet memories of Level One.  The sweet part is a mystery but it was there (barely).  The grandness of life occasionally made an appearance … shining through my “not knowing” test responses.  Oh well, today had a Part Two.

***

In my 30s, 40s, 50s … I loved watching European cycling from my Canadian living room.  I saw the fans on the side of the road going crazy with cheering, and I thought:

Someday I’d love to go crazy too!

I’ve been hoping that today would be that day.  The first major Belgian race of the season – Omloop Het Nieuwsblad – starts in my hometown.

After class I walked to ‘t Kuipke, the ancient Ghent velodrome.  Early in the afternoon, about 140 women cyclists would set off on a rock-and-roll journey of 127 kilometres.  And I’ll be there!

First, though, each of the 23 teams was presented to us adoring fans inside the velodrome.  Two interviewers asks friendly questions of a rider or two from each team.  Everybody got cheered (with an extra dose for Belgian cyclists).

I watched the teams that were just presented ride out of the building.  Almost every rider high-fived the kids leaning over the barriers.  So cool.

Well folks, I’m officially tired.  There are many racing stories still to tell but my right index finger wants to sleep.  (That’s how I type, by the way.)

There  was so much oomph in my day – from the angst of not understanding the questions to all the colours of all the teams climbing all the hills.

Until tomorrow …