Just, in case....you were curious, the weather is Sunny, Warm almost HOT, Clear, and Absolutely AMAZING!
When I found out we were coming to NEVER NEVER LAND, I had heard about these Volksmarches. The Germans are very into walking and marching. I thought it would be fun to participate and a great way to learn the language and culture of the German people.
When I arrived I started talking to people about it, and I heard about this march. You know how I do it- I go big or I go home- (and I don't want to go home).
This particular March is World Famous and a HUGE commitment- which also means a HUGE accomplishment and thus bragging rights for LIFE!
THE NIJMEGEN MARCH
It's a International Four Day March called Nijmegen (or Vierdaagse). It's also the largest marching event in the world. It is organized every year in Nijmegen (which is in Holland) in mid-July as a means of promoting sport and exercise. Participants walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometers daily, and, on completion, receive a royally approved medal (Vierdaagsekruis). The participants are mostly civilians, but there are also a few thousand military participants.
Standard categories:
- ~30km x 4days
- ~40km x 4days
- ~50km x 4days
The "vierdaagse" (Dutch for "Four day Event") is an annual walk that has taken place since 1909, being based at Nijmegen since 1916. Depending on age group and category, walkers have to walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometers each day for four days.
Originally a military event with a few civilians, it now is a mainly civilian event. Numbers have risen in recent years, with over 40,000 taking part, including about 5,000 Military. It is now the world's largest walking event.
Due to crowds on the route, since 2004 the organizers have limited the number of participants. The first day of walking is always the 3rd Tuesday in July. Many participants take part every year, including several that have taken part in 50, and even 60 different annual marches.
Each day of the marches is named after the biggest town it goes through. Tuesday is the day of ELST, Wednesday the day of WIJCHEN, Thursday the day of GROESBEEK and Friday the day of CUJIK. The routes always stay the same unless there is a specific need to change, as it did in 2007 (route changed in 2006 but cancelled) when the walkers went through the Waalkade on Wednesday for the first time since the original route got too crowded and walkers had to wait for over an hour at some times. 2006 was the first year to be cancelled in 90 years (apart from WWII). After the first day's march there were thousands of drop-outs and two deaths because of extreme heat.
On the Friday, as participants near the finish, the public awards the walkers with Gladioli. A symbol of force and victory stemming from Roman times where gladiators where showered with Gladioli, the Nijmegen walkers are similarly 'showered' in flowers on their arrival. The entry into the city and towards the finish, the St. Annastreet, is for that reason called Via Gladiola during the Nijmegen Marches.
With that said.....I need practice.
The first day we moved into our house we met our neighbors just down the street. Their names are Ursula and HORST (god I love saying his name!) and they have a poodle named Rocky. After weeks of observation and friendly conversation (what little could be said with the language barrier) I asked if LEGS and I could go walking with them on the weekend.
They agreed, and after a brief game of Charades, we decided on a day and time. Saturday or (Samstag) at nine or (nuen). They asked if we wanted to barrow the 'walking sticks' the Germans are known to use when they 'Go Walking.' I said 'YES!' (hey, don't judge me, when in Rome do as the Romans do.)
Like a typical German they showed up right on time, strapped LEGS and I up with some 'walking sticks' and off we went.
LEGS had Karmella and walked up ahead with Ursula, while I got a 'How to Walk with Sticks Tutorial' from HORST....
(This would be after my loud mouth husband told them about my boxing- so they were expecting an athlete)
Yeah......it turns out.....walking with sticks is hard.
I am afraid that I completely frustrated HORST....
He kept telling me NEIN! Which means NO! And then he would Mimic me.....which was hysterical. All I could do is laugh, and try harder to do it right.
Keep my chin down.
Don't walk like you are skiing.
This is not boxing.
The sticks do not need to be out in front of you.
Relax.
Put your arms down.
Use your shoulder, don't use your shoulders.
I kept stabbing my one foot with the sticks, or they would drag and bounce behind me....I am pretty sure HORST almost lost an eye at one point.
And guess who just picks the technique up all easy? LEGS......so I am looking to him for some advice but he straight up ditched me for an older woman- Ursula- up the trail.
Today was my third day of walking with Horst, Ursula and the sticks. They say I am getting better, and that I should belt Karmella around my waist so she doesn't disrupt me perfecting my technique. LAUGHS!
Most of our walks are like Nature Walks, they tell me all the German words for each tree/plant in the forest and then the next day I am quizzed on the material from the last walk. Its actually pretty fun!
Not that I care.....but did I mention Horst and Ursula or older? So they have absolutely NO QUALMS about stopping to pee in the woods. I find it to be funny for two reasons number one because they treat it as 'business as usual' and two because the awkward silent moments while they relieve themselves are priceless!
Random Thoughts:
For some reason I cannot stop using the word "amazing" today....
Gardening is hard work....
What in...the hell......Do they think they are boxing? THAT....is not boxing....SMH.....
I hate it when I bump into people that I have been reminding myself to call or hang out with.....because then I feel like such a bullshitter when I say 'I have been meaning to call!' FYI- if this happens to you with me- I really have been meaning to call....
Sometimes I look at the things that the ARMY calls "PT" (Physical Training) and I wonder how on earth first they could call that PT and second how the soldiers can keep a straight face while doing that silly a** sh*t.....
Over & Out....
Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife......**
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